Once more we have received snails of the genus Septaria (Freshwater Limpet). These odd freshwater snails live in the same way as the Common Limpet (Patella vulgata) from the Atlantic coast. Like these marine snails, Septaria also have a marine larval phase. So there is no danger of unwanted mass-reproduction in the home aquarium.
Freshwater Limpets feed on aufwuchs which they preferentially feed from the panes of the tank. It is very important not to clean the side and back panes of the tank and to illuminate the tank strongly, otherwise the snails get in danger of starving. It is possible to feed the limpets with aufwuchs growing on stones, the keeper cultivates in a garden pond, but other food is only rarely taken.
The Freshwater Limpet sucks extremely strong on the underground and it is very difficult to get it off without hurting it seriously. This is a proved trick to get it off: stick a fingernail (for example from the forefinger) under the proximal end of the shell. Now the limpet will try to suck as strong as it can. But after some seconds it will lose a bit again in order to get free from the annoying thing under its shell. This is the moment you can move the limpet with smooth pressure over the pane and pick it up from the pane’s top.
For our customers: the animals have code 482154 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Septaria: a cement-like mass that was used in ancient Rome in the building and construction industry. porcellana: means “like porcelain”.
Suggestion of a common name: Freshwater limpet
Text & photo: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Thailand |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 2 - 3.5 |
