whats this snaik Hitcher??

hey guys noticed this fella out 1 afternoon pics arent the clearest because all i had on me was my phone but if anyone has any ideas on what it is id be stoked

 

could it be a chiton?

 

I was thinking first that it may be a Chinese Hat or Limpet as they are often times called, but after noticing that it does have the 8 plates that overlap, that gave it away!
For the most part Chitons are beneficial and harmless feeding on algae, bacteria, bryazoans and diatoms, but their are species of chiton that are predatory in nature, that will prey upon inverts such as shrimp.

 

Looks like a chiton to me. Congrats!

 

I have at least one chiton in my tank. I've never seen it do anything but graze on the glass and LR like a snail.

 

It's a chiton alright, and should be a nice algae grazer (although they may graze on coralline). It looks like one of the color forms of Lucilina lamellosa, assuming it's a Pacific hitchhiker, but if it's a Caribbean chiton I have no idea.

Cheers,



Don

 

Yup, chiton. THey are harmless. They will eat your unwanted algea. Good find!

 

thanks guys very quick response