Marbled Limpets With Assassin Snails?

[MrFishkeeper1]

I read that assassin snails can't be kept with marbled limpets because of their shell shape. Does anyone have any experience keeping these two together?

 

[phnx314]

I would say they’re not safe to keep with assassins for two main reasons.

One, the size. Most marbeled limpets are a similar body size to adult assassin snails, so if there’s more than one assassin around they could gang up on the limpet.

Two, while marbeled limpets do have an operculum (trapdoor), it doesn’t really work.

“Species of the genus Septaria are easily distinguished from Neritina species by their limpet shaped shell with a narrow columellar area, known as a septum, and an operculum, which is embedded in the foot and is unable to shut the animal in the shell.” A revision of the genus Septaria Férussac, 1803 (Gastropoda: Neritimorpha) on JSTOR
Without a working operculum, the snail will be left a lot more vulnerable to assassins than a nerite would be.

 

[MrFishkeeper1]

I would say they’re not safe to keep with assassins for two main reasons.

One, the size. Most marbeled limpets are a similar body size to adult assassin snails, so if there’s more than one assassin around they could gang up on the limpet.

Two, while marbeled limpets do have an operculum (trapdoor), it doesn’t really work.

“Species of the genus Septaria are easily distinguished from Neritina species by their limpet shaped shell with a narrow columellar area, known as a septum, and an operculum, which is embedded in the foot and is unable to shut the animal in the shell.” A revision of the genus Septaria Férussac, 1803 (Gastropoda: Neritimorpha) on JSTOR
Without a working operculum, the snail will be left a lot more vulnerable to assassins than a nerite would be.

I really would like to try them but have a overabundance of pond Snails and would like something to keep the Malaysian trumpet Snails lower as well, so I will likely just get another type of nerite or something else, thank you for the response

 

[Alrightmax]

I got marbled limpets about a year ago from AA, and would recommend with caution. I have found them less robust then other nerites, and I do not think they could out compete pest snails (or hide from assassins).

I added about 20 specimens in my heavily planted 90, and I doubt there are five remining now. They were B-grade specimens, so many already had significant shell pitting. And, for the first few months or so they thrived actually. I saw some pitting recede even. They are good algae eaters, and surprisingly quick when motivated. But then I got a serious pest snail infestation. First bladder snails, then MTS which I still have an obscene amount of. The few that remain are in poor shape, and I am considering moving them to a different setup.

For point of reference, I added a similar number of olive nerites at the same time, and most of them are still around. Although some also have shell pitting, but non as bad as the limpets. I am suspicious that the MTS are using the available calcium in the water, though have not noticed an appreciable drop in hardness. I am already reasonably hard, around ph 7.8 gh 140 kh 120

I also imagine these limpets would do better with a bit of salt in the water, which I do not use. Anyway, they're neat little buggers, and quite pretty. A bit on the delicate side though!

 

[phnx314]

I got marbled limpets about a year ago from AA, and would recommend with caution. I have found them less robust then other nerites, and I do not think they could out compete pest snails (or hide from assassins).

I added about 20 specimens in my heavily planted 90, and I doubt there are five remining now. They were B-grade specimens, so many already had significant shell pitting. And, for the first few months or so they thrived actually. I saw some pitting recede even. They are good algae eaters, and surprisingly quick when motivated. But then I got a serious pest snail infestation. First bladder snails, then MTS which I still have an obscene amount of. The few that remain are in poor shape, and I am considering moving them to a different setup.

For point of reference, I added a similar number of olive nerites at the same time, and most of them are still around. Although some also have shell pitting, but non as bad as the limpets. I am suspicious that the MTS are using the available calcium in the water, though have not noticed an appreciable drop in hardness. I am already reasonably hard, around ph 7.8 gh 140 kh 120

I also imagine these limpets would do better with a bit of salt in the water, which I do not use. Anyway, they're neat little buggers, and quite pretty. A bit on the delicate side though!

How big have yours grown to? I just got one from AA as well and am not sure if it’s gonna get as big as my other nerites.

 

[Alrightmax]

Here's one right now - maybe 1/2" ? (The curved glass makes sizing tough) And they max out probably less than 1"

 

[MrFishkeeper1]

I got marbled limpets about a year ago from AA, and would recommend with caution. I have found them less robust then other nerites, and I do not think they could out compete pest snails (or hide from assassins).

I added about 20 specimens in my heavily planted 90, and I doubt there are five remining now. They were B-grade specimens, so many already had significant shell pitting. And, for the first few months or so they thrived actually. I saw some pitting recede even. They are good algae eaters, and surprisingly quick when motivated. But then I got a serious pest snail infestation. First bladder snails, then MTS which I still have an obscene amount of. The few that remain are in poor shape, and I am considering moving them to a different setup.

For point of reference, I added a similar number of olive nerites at the same time, and most of them are still around. Although some also have shell pitting, but non as bad as the limpets. I am suspicious that the MTS are using the available calcium in the water, though have not noticed an appreciable drop in hardness. I am already reasonably hard, around ph 7.8 gh 140 kh 120

I also imagine these limpets would do better with a bit of salt in the water, which I do not use. Anyway, they're neat little buggers, and quite pretty. A bit on the delicate side though!

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I've been super busy recently with school, thanks for the info on them, very much appreciated