Strange snail-like thing?

Wanted to see if anyone has seen something like this before. It's sort of shaped like a volcano and about 1/16-1/8 inches in size. I noticed it ejecting something from the top of it's shell (wastes most likely). I'm not even sure where to begin looking for an ID for this.




And secondly, Does anyone know what type of algae this is? Is this just a standard "Green Slime" type of algae? I read that cerith and nerites eat this stuff but haven't been able to identify with a photo anywhere. I think it may have something to do with 1) my bulbs seem to be getting old/red. I need to change them ASAP, later this week most likely. (80 days for current bulbs? seems sort of weak)
2) I need new RO filters, which will be here in a few days.

 

The first guy is a limpet. It's a kind of snail. I'm not an expert on IDing them, but I'm fairly sure some can eat corals or attach to other snails and eat through their shells (to eat the other snail). They're a pain to get to let go of whatever they're holding onto, too.

I have absolutely no idea what that other stuff is.

 

pic 1 limpet and the 2nd is a bubble algae. Limpet's are ok and are reef safe until they get large (quarter size) ok for part of a clean up crew. The bubble on the other hand should be taken out WITHOUT popping or leave it alone if you cant get it and get a emerald crab to eat it.

 

sorry after blowing up the 2nd pic it looks like a cyano bloom not bubble. check your phosphates and get some or change your carbon. Your bulbs may also not be helping. Do you have a actinc?

 

3 actinics. I think i'm going to invest in some new bulbs this week. Are old actinics likely the cause for this outbreak?

 

it's a possible cause of the cyano, i think

 

+2 or 3 on the limpit, great part of a cleanup crew, and I have never heard of them causing any damage of any kind. Biggest problem with'em is if they get flipped over they cannot right themselves and will die unless you spot them and turn 'em over.


First off Cyano isn't Algae, its actually a Bacteria outbreak, which isn't really caused buy light especially Antics, if you were talking 10k or 12k, well that would help.

Cyano is usually caused more often than not by lack of flow and tank age, how old is your tank? if its fairly new then it just part of a tank thats maturing.

Phosphates can and do contribute to Cyano outbreak's. one of the best ways to help get rid of it and help keep it away is to use something like a bag of Chemi pure, just toss a bag in a high flow area of your sump they take a turkey baster and suck out as much as you can and give it a little bit of time, cleaning it out periodically and in no time it will be gone.

I have a 75 gallon reef that has been up for around two years now and still will find a clump or patch of the red Cyano and thats exactly how I deal with it and so for it worked pretty well.

 

Isn't cyno normally brown/red though? This is a lime/snot green with air bubbles trapped in it.

 

Cyano can be red or green. Dinoflagellates resemble cyano in "behavior" and appearance but are brown.

 

Yes, the first one is a Keyhole Limpet, which is a bit different from the true limpets (entirely different family). The Diodora species are grazers, but most or all may include sponges in their diet. Other genera in the family have been accused of having broader diets that include soft corals, but yours shouldn't be a problem. I believe it's Diodora listeri.

Diodora listeri

Cheers,



Don