Please help. Unwanted guest?

[CarlL]

Hey can someone please tell me what this critter is. I found him on my glass today and I don't know if he is harmful to my reef tank or not. It looks like he has cob webs or slime coming from him.

 

[bang guy]

It's an animal commonly called a "Chiton". They eat algae and will not harm your reef.

 

[jorge garrido]

I heard they also eat cyano bacteria (good Thing)

 

[bang guy]

I doubt it. Cyano usually inhabits the sand bed. Chitons will only be on sand if they are about to die.

 

[jorge garrido]

so to they eat cyano bacteria or not ? that's what I heard from other people

 

[bang guy]

Chitons are an ancient creature so perhaps they have the ability to eat Cyanobacter. They are not going to go out onto your sand bed and get rid of it for you though.

 

[jorge garrido]

I got a bare bottom tank (no substarte). I guess I should buy one just in case I get and cyano bloom but haven't seen one around my area . you got lucky carll that it came as a hitchhiker

 

[RobP]

Very interesting to read about this. Check it out.

http://www.molluscs.at/polyplacophora/index.html?/polyplacophora/main.html

 

[candaceswf]

We get them a lot as hitch hikers as well, interesting little critters