I first found your site about 5 weeks ago while searching for info to identify what might be having a hayday in my tank. Your photo of limpets helped me to identify the little critters. I haven't done anything about them yet, as my dwarf gourami seemed to be making meals out of them. This past week, however, I see that they are out-numbering his digestive capacity in a BIG way and are taking over the tank. I've searched sites and posted questions in forums, but I can't find any further information about these things. I was wondering if you knew how to get rid of them? Brief history: I have a well-established 10 gal tank inhabited by the gourami, 1 clown pleco, 2 otos, 1(lonely) black neon tetra, and 1 ramshorn snail that I am especially fond of. I have mostly plastic plants, but back in November I attached two java ferns to my driftwood (I'm positive that's how the limpets came in). I have another set up... a 5 1/2 gal that I use for quarentine, and it houses a betta to keep the bio cycle going. I was thinking of putting the snail in there (after I pick the limpets off it's shell!!) and either treating the 10 gal with Had-a-snail, or coppersafe. Or, maybe letting the snail live in the 5 1/2 gal permanently and putting a clown loach into the 10 gal.
If you have any advice or suggestions on how to get control of these guys, I'd sure appreciate it. I don't mind a few of them. They appear harmless, and seem to keep my glass pretty clear...but too many is too many! I'm so amazed that so few people have experienced them! Even my local fish store had no idea what I was talking about. They actually asked if I could bring some in so they could see them. They are not going to be much help in this matter, I think. I'm glad at least to be able to put a name to them...and I thank you for that. Great site, but the way!!

I've never heard of limpets in aquariums but I have them in my 153 gallon pond but not out of control. They are closely related to snails so you can use the ideas on my main snail page at http://www.fishpondinfo.com/snail.htm as to how to get rid of them. Most labyrinth fish like your gourami and betta should eat some of the limpets. The had-a-snail and other copper-based snail killers are dangerous for most animals. If you want to remove all the animals and plants in the tank that you want and treat the remainder of the tank, I suggest bleaching it out by soaking it in dilute bleach for a day and then in fresh water with dechlorinator for a day as well. Wash/soak the gravel and non-living ornaments separately. Treat live plants in the had-a-snail in another bucket. Save the biological portion of your filter in safe water with the fish so it's not poisoned. Try to pick off any limpets by hand from there but you might miss some eggs! A 10 gallon tank is a bit small for a clown loach once it grows up. Anyway, the limpets don't do much harm and keep the tank clean and plus they're neat so I wouldn't worry about getting rid of all of them.