anyone have a Scutus antipode (shield limpit)???

[droinablunt]

i got two of these black slug lookin things in my reef tank. does anyone know if they are reef safe?? I found some readings on them but half say they are good and half say they are bad

[Twins Guy]

they are frequent hitchikers and i have never seen them do any harm...in fact i want to get a few for my upcoming nano system(s)

[Twins Guy]

fwiw-they are often called "keyhole" limpets-not sure what difference there is but you might read up on keyhole limpets.

[Sea monkey]

i got tons : ) cool guys arn't they

[Sizzlersonthebrain]

i want some mine died last spring and have wanted mroe ever since.

[dobbs]

Originally Posted by Twins Guy

fwiw-they are often called "keyhole" limpets-not sure what difference there is but you might read up on keyhole limpets.

I didnt know what one was. Here is a pic I found. Are these the guys?

[eswebster]

mine definately do not look like that. they are harmless, if they are the same thing i have.

[droinablunt]

well i have two good sized ones that i would get rid of they are now in my sump so they will be easy to catch let me know

[droinablunt]

that pic that dobbs has don't really look like them but here is a link http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm scroll down a ways and you will see it

[Twins Guy]

Originally Posted by dobbs

I didnt know what one was. Here is a pic I found. Are these the guys?

i believe this is a "keyhole"...my impression is that the "shielded"s (at least the ones i have seen) have a uniformly white shell-their black flowing flesh will retract if the critter is disturbed. like i said though the two common names are often confused or used interchangeably...right or wrong

[Sea monkey]

i think a lot of people have them and don't know it because they come out at night .

I really don't know but judging by how many i have seen these things might be able to reproduce in a tank environment also .

[droinablunt]

the ones that i have must be shielded not keyhole.
in dobbs pic the hole in the shell must be the keyhole??
the shielded doesn't show that much of their white shell. at least as i have seen.
Also mine dont have any black in the center of the white.

[borgy]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...fm?pCatId=1752

The Keyhole Limpet Snail is a common herbivore that originates within the shallow waters of the Eastern Pacific. They have a white and tan mottled oval shell, and a large black mantle that will almost engulf the shell when fully expanded. These limpets have a circular opening at the apical end of the shell, which serves both as an excurrent and anal opening. They do not have the ability to hide within the shell.
The Keyhole Limpet Snail prefers an established aquarium with live rock and plenty of microalgae from which they can graze. These Limpets are sensitive to high nitrate levels and copper-based medications. They are a great addition to the reef aquarium for algae control, and will not bother sessile invertebrates.
The breeding habits of these Limpets have not been observed in captivity.
The Keyhole Limpet Snail feeds upon all forms of microalgae in the aquarium. If insufficient algae is present, supplement their diet with dried seaweed. Use caution when considering placing Limpet snails in reef aquariums that contain SPS corals as these snails have been known to sometimes graze on certain species of Acropora, Montipora and other similar species.


We have one that looks like this in our sump and others that are all tan in coloration all over the frag tank. This link tho states they can be in either color. They have not done any damage that I have ever seen. Although we are watching them...just in case one takes a liking to the SPS

Great algae grazers!


Looks like you can purchase them through F&S for anyone interested in buying some

[borgy]

here is another site I have found with them

Scutus antipodes - Elephant Snail

Picture: MDC

Habitat: Reef; 0 - 20 m depth

Distribution: WA to NSW and around Tasmania

Maximum Size: Length to 100 mm

Diet: Algae

Comments:

This is a large, slug-like animal with a reduced white shell, often hidden under folds of skin. Large numbers are found under rocks in shallow water. This species is fully protected in Tasmania.

http://www.woodbridge.tased.edu.au/m...hant_snail.htm


This is where we originally identified the black one we have.

**edit**
Here is one site I found by searching RC....it includes the common color variations of these.
http://www.meeresaquaristik.de/scutus.htm
Also, no one on RC that posted has had any predatory issues with them either.

[Sea monkey]

only issue i ever had is when one clogged the overflow of my hang on fuge .

let me tell ya i was surprised to pull this thing out : )