Leslie Harris, USA
Info
Chiton granosus Frembly, 1827
Chiton are not as closely related to snails as one might first think. The more than 900 species of the so-called Polyplacophora are mollusks characterized by their eight calcareous plates (fossil finds sometimes have more).
They usually live near the shore under rocks, where they forage for algae and detritus. On their shell they have aragonite crystals, with which they can perceive light differences and sometimes even see.Typical for mollusks: also the beetle snails feedwith the help of their rasping tongue (radula).
By far the majority of beetle snails are algae-eating herbivores that graze on rocks and boulders, but also on shells in the surf zone. However, there are also predatory species.
The keeping itself is quite uncomplicated. Beetle snails are often brought into the tank with live rock, where they prove to be very effective microalgae and detritus exterminators.
Chiton granosus is found on steep rock walls, in mussel beds and under boulders. This species principally feeds on barnacle larvae, chironomids and molluscs.
Synonymised names:
Chiton (Chiton) granosus Frembly, 1827 · alternate representation
Gymnoplax ludoviciae Rochebrune, 1884 · unaccepted
Chiton are not as closely related to snails as one might first think. The more than 900 species of the so-called Polyplacophora are mollusks characterized by their eight calcareous plates (fossil finds sometimes have more).
They usually live near the shore under rocks, where they forage for algae and detritus. On their shell they have aragonite crystals, with which they can perceive light differences and sometimes even see.Typical for mollusks: also the beetle snails feedwith the help of their rasping tongue (radula).
By far the majority of beetle snails are algae-eating herbivores that graze on rocks and boulders, but also on shells in the surf zone. However, there are also predatory species.
The keeping itself is quite uncomplicated. Beetle snails are often brought into the tank with live rock, where they prove to be very effective microalgae and detritus exterminators.
Chiton granosus is found on steep rock walls, in mussel beds and under boulders. This species principally feeds on barnacle larvae, chironomids and molluscs.
Synonymised names:
Chiton (Chiton) granosus Frembly, 1827 · alternate representation
Gymnoplax ludoviciae Rochebrune, 1884 · unaccepted
