Limpets in reef tank

Dcal · Feb 13, 2021

I was browsing reef cleaners and saw they have limpets. Ive always thought theyre cool and have been looking to increase my invert variety. Are there any risks with adding them or mostly good.

Pistondog · Feb 13, 2021

All good IME. Some have had explosions of hundreds.

LegendaryCG · Feb 13, 2021

I didn’t buy any but I have limpets in my tank. They havent hurt anything but they do seem to get into places snails don‘t. Overflows, pipes,etc.

Turkey head · Feb 15, 2021

I have small limpet hitchhikers. I’ve had them for around 5 years and they stay small. Never had any issues with them.

Phycodurus · Mar 12, 2021

i’d love to add limpets to my 180G just for the added diversity, but my tank is acrylic, so probably a bad idea. :(

old salt reefer · Mar 12, 2021

Turkey head said:
I have small limpet hitchhikers. I’ve had them for around 5 years and they stay small. Never had any issues with them.

I've got them too. going to echo the above. get in spots snails can't

Rjramos · Mar 12, 2021

Although beneficial grazers, they are small. As someone mentioned they could clog narrow spaces like pump intakes and skimmer air induction valves, etc. so shielding these areas will reduce maintenance or a major pump failure cause the impeller gets jammed up.

vtecintegra · Mar 12, 2021

I've got some from reef cleaners. Only thing I don't like is once they are locked down on a surface they seem impossible to break free.

friedoysterskin · Mar 15, 2021

I've purchased the limpits from reefcleaners. They all climbed out of the water within the hour. These are 100% tidal limpets, and I would not recommend.

uli-the-nihlist · Apr 3, 2021

friedoysterskin said:
I've purchased the limpits from reefcleaners. They all climbed out of the water within the hour. These are 100% tidal limpets, and I would not recommend.

This was not my experience. I ordered from reefcleaners and the limpets have actually reproduced in the tank. I have so many now and they are all over my rocks at night.

Chubosco · Jul 10, 2021

I know this post is old but thought I'd chime in. My Limpets do sometimes climb out of the water an inch or so. No harm, just what they do. Never had any clog a power head or filter. They seem to avoid them. My Limpets constantly lay eggs in a horse shoe type circle. Never have any babies reach adulthood because my six line wrasse eats them. He is so fat I'm amazed he can swim. Limpets are another cool thing to notice when viewing the reef. They are very hardy and seem to live forever.

eddddy66 · Jul 10, 2021

I had a black keyhole limpet that came as a hitch hiker and was ok for a while then I started noticing a decline in montiporas and my birdsnest colony then one day I found him eating away at it so I removed him and everything is now starting to recover. after a little research I found some take a liking to sps. so proceed with caution if you are going to add them.

allenk4 · May 5, 2025

eddddy66 said:
I had a black keyhole limpet that came as a hitch hiker and was ok for a while then I started noticing a decline in montiporas and my birdsnest colony then one day I found him eating away at it so I removed him and everything is now starting to recover. after a little research I found some take a liking to sps. so proceed with caution if you are going to add them.

That was likely a Keyhole Limpet, which is said to eat SPS

Keyhole Limpet Snail: Saltwater Aquarium Snails for Marine Reef Aquariums

allenk4 · May 5, 2025

vtecintegra said:
I've got some from reef cleaners. Only thing I don't like is once they are locked down on a surface they seem impossible to break free.

Reef Cleaners may be selling “False Limpets”, which actually breathe air