Strange little things

[Little-Nipper]

Hi guys, can anyone please identify these little critters in my shrimp tank? I'm pretty sure they aren't planaria but it's always good to have a second opinion. They are very slow and size is 1-5 mm

 

[Slaphppy7]

Freshwater limpets....harmless, and good glass cleaners, but annoying to some...including yours truly

 

[Little-Nipper]

Freshwater limpets....harmless, and good glass cleaners, but annoying to some...including yours truly

Thank you, that's ok then I'll not worry about them then, they don't bother me aslong as they don't harm the fish shrimp or nerites. They are a welcome part of the ecosystem

 

[Slaphppy7]

Thank you, that's ok then I'll not worry about them then, they don't bother me aslong as they don't harm the fish shrimp or nerites. They are a welcome part of the ecosystem

Totally harmless to the other occupants of the tank

 

[Little-Nipper]

Totally harmless to the other occupants of the tank

Thanks again, I'm just having a Google now I know what they are

 

[Essjay]

I've got them in my shrimp tank as well. Unlike snails, they are impossible to scrape off the tank walls as they just slide up and down. However, during a water change it is possible to remove those above the water line by wiping the glass with a tissue. Unfortunately, those below the water line have to stay there......

 

[Slaphppy7]

I've got them in my shrimp tank as well. Unlike snails, they are impossible to scrape off the tank walls as they just slide up and down. However, during a water change it is possible to remove those above the water line by wiping the glass with a tissue. Unfortunately, those below the water line have to stay there......

With my extendable razor scraper, they WILL come off of the glass...but then just sink to the bottom, to start their journey all over again

 

[Essjay]

I've not tried my long handled scraper thing in the shrimp tank as it's small and full of Java moss which I'd only end up shredding. maybe I should give it a go.

 

[Little-Nipper]

I never clean the glass in my shrimp tank (as you can tell by the pic) I leave it for the shrimp, batman snails and now the limpets I may thin them out if it gets to the point where there are more limpets than shrimp but other than that I'll just leave it as natural as possible

 

[Little-Nipper]

I actually have the light on for 16 hours a day to grow algae

 

[Uberhoust]

I like limpets how do you find them, only seen the marine types.

 

[Slaphppy7]

I like limpets how do you find them, only seen the marine types.

Usually, they find you...hitch hikers on plants is a common method

 

[Uberhoust]

Explains why I have never got them. I sterilize my plants before placing in my aquarium. I am reconsidering how I deal with new plants.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Explains why I have never got them. I sterilize my plants before placing in my aquarium. I am reconsidering how I deal with new plants.

Careful watch you wish for....

 

[WhistlingBadger]

I hardly ever sterilize my plants, especially in a new build that isn't stocked yet. I enjoy all the mystery inverts that come to call, and the live food makes the fish settle into their new home much more easily. I've had FW limpets once, but they didn't last long, sadly.