Fuzzy Chiton

mcsassy

mcsassy

professional fool
Jan 28, 2008
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Anybody have experience with these or know about them? I just saw them on reefcleaners.org ... was wondering exactly what types of algae they eat. Since they have what looks like hair algae on their shells, does that mean they eat hair algae and leave some for camouflage purposes?
 
They don't seem to be entirely picky about the algae they eat. They mostly prefer films from what I've seen, not filamentous types. But they are perfectly safe and herbivorous. Just beware of the fact that they are strong and can knock unsecured stuff over pretty easily. They are good and fascinating animals.
 
So if they prefer film...do they go on the glass? Are they nocturnal? What kind of stuff do they knock over? How big do they get? Have you ever had one?
 
I had a 1.5" one for a while. I think I may have given him away accidentally with a rock. Plus I've observed a bunch at the shop when we receive them. They mostly stay on the rock that I've seen, though they aren't above going onto the glass. Some get pretty big, but most I've seen have been under 2" or so. Mostly nocturnal from what I've seen. Not very active during the day at all.

Some have reported that they also eat coralline, which, to an extent, they do. Never worse for wear, however, with the coralline growth in most tanks.
 
Would you recommend one over a sea hare? For algae eating purposes of course. I have lots...no worries. Only on the rocks though...nowhere else really.
 
Over a sea hare? If it is for hair algae, then no. But in general, overall use, definitely. Sea hares are much more fragile (in all senses of the word) than as compared to chitons. The latter are almost indestructible and are film algae eating machines. It really depends upon what you are looking for.
 
So the fuzzy characters don't eat hair algae or they just don't prefer it? I have a whole bunch of trochus snails and some hermits...I used to keep putting the trochus onto the rocks manually so they can eat hair algae but then I got tired of that task. I once got a blue spotted sea hare, but it just wandered around the tank for a couple days, didn't eat anything then died. It took a while to find it...I thought it was a pebble because it shrunk so small and was a totally different color.
 
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