Mystery pest?

[Taralynn23]

Hello all, just wondering what these tiny little things are. They were on my clam on my reef tank, and their outer portion is a hardlike shell. Superrr tiny!

 

[Fish Fan]

@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[Crabs McJones]

Chitons

 

[Fish Fan]

Chitons

I thought Chitons were larger, or will those dudes get bigger? Thanks!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I thought Chitons were larger, or will those dudes get bigger? Thanks!

There's a bunch of different types. I don't know the exact name but this type stays pretty small

 

[Fish Fan]

There's a bunch of different types. I don't know the exact name but this type stays pretty small

Thanks! Their hard looking outer "shell" makes them look like Chitons, I was just expecting Chitons to be larger.

 

[Taralynn23]

Ok well what are Chitons LOL

 

[Fish Fan]

Ok well what are Chitons LOL

D'oh! I guess we skipped right over that important nugget of knowledge lol!

Chitons are considered reef safe algae-eaters. This post may help:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chiton-id-good-or-bad.919709/
Reef Cleaners sells a critter called a "fuzzy chiton", and I think that's why I thought Chitons in general were bigger.
https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/tank-cleaners/fuzzy-chiton-detail
I hope that helps!

 

[Fish Fan]

Oh, and not to get all nerdy, but you pronounce them with a hard K like "Kite-on", not "chiten" lol!

Chiton is the protein that largely makes up the hard exoskeleton of critters like crustaceans and insects.

Hey, look at me putting that dusty bio degree to use lol!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Whoops!

D'oh! I guess we skipped right over that important nugget of knowledge lol!

Chitons are considered reef safe algae-eaters. This post may help:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chiton-id-good-or-bad.919709/
Reef Cleaners sells a critter called a "fuzzy chiton", and I think that's why I thought Chitons in general were bigger.
https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/tank-cleaners/fuzzy-chiton-detail
I hope that helps!

Yes harmless algae grazers

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all, just wondering what these tiny little things are. They were on my clam on my reef tank, and their outer portion is a hardlike shell. Superrr tiny!

Great find- often confused with limpets and great algae eaters!!

 

[West1]

Are they reef safe or does the OP need to burn them with fire?

 

[Fish Fan]

Are they reef safe or does the OP need to burn them with fire?

Reef safe algivore.

 

[IceNein]

Yeah, there's load of chitons, we have some in our local tide pools that are pretty big. I would be happy to have the ones you got in my tank!