Do Chitons breed in captivity?

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by stepho, Apr 6, 2011.

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  1. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    I got two fuzzy Chitons from reef cleaners a long time ago. Over a year ago I think. I haven't seen them since they disappeared into the rock but now I have a very little Chiton on my pump. It is about the size of a pencil eraser.

    So what say you. Do Chitons breed and have babies, or is it likely a hitch hikers from the 2 pounds of Florida maricultured rock in the tank.

    posted with tapatalk please ignore bad spelling and grammar
     
    stepho, Apr 6, 2011
    stepho, Apr 6, 2011
    #1

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  2. thepanfish

    thepanfish Flying Squid

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    Email John Maloney at RC, he can help
     
    thepanfish, Apr 6, 2011
    thepanfish, Apr 6, 2011
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  3. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    John is also active on this site!


    ----------------
    Sent from Tapatalk, so please forgive grammar and spelling :)
     
    Renee@LionfishLair, Apr 6, 2011
    Renee@LionfishLair, Apr 6, 2011
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  4. pagojoe

    pagojoe Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    Here's you some good info on chitons. They have a fairly short pelagic period, typically one to two weeks, so it's conceivable that they could reproduce in an aquarium with the right conditions and a little luck. It's probably more likely that yours came in on something as a tiny chiton, but you never know. Read this:

    https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1794/6123/11.pdf

    Cheers,



    Don
     
    pagojoe, Apr 6, 2011
    pagojoe, Apr 6, 2011
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  5. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    The frag tank at my LFS had a pair in it for about 2 years now. There are now about 20 of the little guys running around. So I would say, YES, they do breed in captivity.
     
    jonjonwells, Apr 6, 2011
    jonjonwells, Apr 6, 2011
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  6. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    Link is unavailable or maybe it just won't open on my phone.

    The only rock it could have come in on has been in the tank for like 3 years. Would it stay that small this long? Or could it have hitch hiked on a snail?

    Thanks for the replies!

    posted with tapatalk please ignore bad spelling and grammar
     
    stepho, Apr 7, 2011
    stepho, Apr 7, 2011
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  7. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

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    It's your phone possibly. However, even on a fast connection, it takes a while to download.
     
    inwall75, Apr 7, 2011
    inwall75, Apr 7, 2011
    #7
  8. stepho

    stepho Panda Puffer

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    Yep it was the phone. On my computer it opens just fine.
     
    stepho, Apr 7, 2011
    stepho, Apr 7, 2011
    #8