Barnacles?

[jman930]

I have these weird things clustering in my tank. They can move because I’ve seen them on the glass and I’ve scrapped them off. Can someone ID them?

 

[dball711]

Pretty sure barnacles don’t move, are they hard or soft?

 

[enderg60]

Could be boulders based on those pics...

But best guess is limpets. Basically a snail that can suction itself to a surface REALLY good. Mine are kind of pointy, they are harmless and fantastic for clean up.

 

[jman930]

They’re hard @dball711

 

[jman930]

@enderg60

I can see the limpet ID from googling the name

 

[ActiveAngel]

Interesting. Maybe take more photos later, and we can see them in more detail.

Yep, i doubt they are barnacles. Limpets are similar, and they move... the ones on the left def look like limpets. But a couple of the ones on the right look assymetric and oddly shaped.

 

[jman930]

confirmed limpets I think

 

[jman930]

These were on the sump so easier to take a picture

 

[enderg60]

Yup limpets. You just got a free self replicating reef mower system.

 

[jman930]

Going to research them further but it looks like they prefer to be on the glass more so than the rocks? I have a bare bottom tank and they are only on the glass and not the rocks from what I can see.

 

[ActiveAngel]

Going to research them further but it looks like they prefer to be on the glass more so than the rocks? I have a bare bottom tank and they are only on the glass and not the rocks from what I can see.

Thats an interesting point! Ive always noticed them on the glass/acrylic... but figured that i just wasnt inspecting the rocks close enough. It would be very interesting if there is an observable preference.

 

[90gDreams]

I generally only see them on glass. Their defense in the wild is to effectively suction cup to the the surface so I would venture a guess glass gives them a better grip vs rock, maybe..

 

[jman930]

I found a few on the rocks. But 95% are on the glass.