Got too many limpets

[johnhoover]

Thought I would ask here before asking in general freshwater.

I've got a planted 20g tank to breed ramshorns for my crayfish. I didn't mind when limpets starting showing up a few months ago, but now they're taking over the walls and I want them gone. Does anyone know of anything that will eat them without eating my plants?? I can remove the most of the ramshorns so I'm not worried about losing a few in the process. I've got goldfish that might eat them, but I know they will eat my plants.

Hopefully someone has an idea.

[grannylvsfish]

what the heck is a limpet??

[johnhoover]

Don't have a good picture handy, there's been several posted here, found this one
http://www.gerrylemmo.com/gallery.asp?ID=254
http://www.cofc.edu/~fwgna/species/ancylidae/l_fuscus.html

Basically small pinhead white spots all over my glass and plants. As I understand the eggs are microscopic. I've heard that Angels will eat them after they've been smashed on the glass. I'm hoping to find something that will actively hunt them.

[DarrylR]

Pinhead limpets??!??! I must have huge ones than cause they like the size of pond snaill egg clusters.

Usually I squish or lessen food and let the other animals out eat the limpets.

[vampie]

I've always though limpets were kinda cute. Never had one though.

I think Darryl's suggestion is good - kill the visible ones, see if the rams can outcompete the rest of them. If there's nothing valuable in the tank, using cooper or such might also be an option.

[stezatois]

lol send me some they look cool.

Would botia loaches not give them a run for their money.. they are a type of snail afterall

[grannylvsfish]

yikes, weird looking...... !

[KIM_TMA]

I have these too and I have thinned my population by taking a Bounty paper towel and starting at the bottom and wiping up the glass collecting as many as I can and probaly taking eggs too. This seemed to wipe, no pun intended, almost all of them out and then I just lowered my feeding and I see a couple every now and then but nothing like I use to.

[pik01]

I've always though limpets were kinda cute. Never had one though.

I think Darryl's suggestion is good - kill the visible ones, see if the rams can outcompete the rest of them. If there's nothing valuable in the tank, using cooper or such might also be an option.

wouldn't the copper decimate the rams he's beeding? Do guppies eat limpets? Or am I thinking of planaria? Maybe try vaccing more often to get rid of the poop? I know how much rams can shell out (nyuk nyuk) that poop.

[Lucky]

I don't know what would eat them, but I've had a good deal of success just squishing any I see when I do regular water changes (or if I'm bored, lol). I only see them occasionally, now. Actually, come to think of it, I haven't seen one in weeks this time...
Thorough gravel vacs also help, and shouldn't affect your ramshorn population as long as the decent-sized ones don't get sucked up with the limpets.


Pinhead limpets??!??! I must have huge ones than cause they like the size of pond snaill egg clusters
I've seen various sizes in my tank. The big ones (about 3-5 mm long?) only started showing up after I got lazy about squishing, so I assumed they got about that size once they're adults.

[vampie]

wouldn't the copper decimate the rams he's beeding?

Yes, but the OP did mention he could remove the ramshorn if needed.

[johnhoover]

Thanks everyone, I was looking for something other than just cleaning/squishing them off the glass. It looks like that might be the best/easiest answer.

I was hoping someone knew of a shrimp or fish that would go after them while they're alive without eating my plants as well. I know Angelfish and Goldfish will eat them once squished. My crays and goldfish will eat the plants so I didn't really want to use them. I've never seen my crays eat them unless they got one just got in the way.

I'll keep listening, if it really gets to bothering me in a few months, I'll just tear the tank down and nuke it and dip my plants. Might give me the push to redo the tank anyway.

[toddnbecka]

Assassin snails would most likely clean them right out. Not only are they defenseless, they're also incredibly slow-moving little critters.