Hiya,
Just wanted to share this little experience w/ you all. Two nights ago I had to get to sleep early so I turned the 20 gal. tank lights off so I could get some observations in before bed.
Within 2 minutes of lights out I noticed at least 20 little things on one piece of live rock that resembled a wood louse. They were all sticking their rear ends up in the air. Some were releasing a gazillion eggs and others were releasing a "milky substance". I started panicking not knowing what these things were and seeing that they were reproducing like crazy.
I checked out the hitchhikers section here and found out that these little "aliens" are what is called a Chiton. Found out they are a good thing to have. (sigh of relief) Anyway, seems I must have triggered their reproductive stage by turning the lights off early. I'll have to try doing that a few times a year. Who knows what else might happen...
Thank you Reefs.org! You guys/gals rule!
Melanie
Just wanted to share this little experience w/ you all. Two nights ago I had to get to sleep early so I turned the 20 gal. tank lights off so I could get some observations in before bed.
Within 2 minutes of lights out I noticed at least 20 little things on one piece of live rock that resembled a wood louse. They were all sticking their rear ends up in the air. Some were releasing a gazillion eggs and others were releasing a "milky substance". I started panicking not knowing what these things were and seeing that they were reproducing like crazy.
I checked out the hitchhikers section here and found out that these little "aliens" are what is called a Chiton. Found out they are a good thing to have. (sigh of relief) Anyway, seems I must have triggered their reproductive stage by turning the lights off early. I'll have to try doing that a few times a year. Who knows what else might happen...
Thank you Reefs.org! You guys/gals rule!
Melanie