Did it come from outer space? can anyone ID?

[Whittam]

:omg: i've been losing turbos at quite a rate of knot, and I looked into my tank the other night to see one of my Turbos covered in something, when I tried to fish the snail out it seemed as if the snail was covered in a "membrane" which quickly flowed back into the live rock leaving the snail neatly digested. It all happened to quick to get a photo and I havent seen it since. It was approx 5mm thick by approx 6 cm square. Pale mottled grey in color with no obvious body structures that could be seen. My local stockist hasn't a clue as to what it could be.

Can anyone help ID this "blob"?

:help:

[archer772]

Sounds like a predatory flatworm. Here is a link on MR with some pics
http://www.michiganreefers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10905&highlight=flatworm

[catpicklesdog]

Great link Archer. That is definately one beast of a flatworm. I won't moan about my tiny little ones so much now!!!

[archer772]

Thanks catpicklesdog i just hope it helps out Whittam and that its not that

[journey0820]

Great link. Scary little guys. Anyone ever get freaked out by the creatures in the tank??

[Whittam]

Thanks guys,

I think the pic on the link has hit the nail right on the head, exactly the same markings, was using a red light at the time but the little blighter made a sharp exit. Will have to try and figure out some sort of trap for this critter. With a bit of luck my wrasse and verocious camal shimp may find the bugger and finish the job for me!

[Amphiprion]

Used to get those buggers in snail shipments all the time. They would clean out about 10-15% before they'd even arrive.

[Grins]

Another photo of one to help give size perspective as well: http://www.melevsreef.com/id/lg_flatworm.html

[SpockthePuffer]

Another photo of one to help give size perspective as well: http://www.melevsreef.com/id/lg_flatworm.html

That is so gross

Good luck on getting yours out of the tank!

[Blossom112]

OMG i have one of those on my clove ........i thaught it was sponge......no wounder i couldnt find it while searching under sponge lol
it hasnt moved from the clove coral tho ........i shall pick it off tonight.
Thanks for the pic

[Whittam]

Got to find the critter before I can siphon it out. Have scoured all my live rock but no sign yet. Think I'll try to set up some sort of trap, otherwise it'll be a case of teaching my snails not to talk to strangers!!

[catpicklesdog]

Any chance of getting an empty snail shell and stuffing it with a bit of prawn/shrimp/cockle etc. Then get an empty pop/water bottle chop it into 3 sections, take out the middle section and try and join the two remaining sections together to form a smaller bottle. If you do it this way you'll still have a "bottom" to the bottle. Bury the bottle in the sand with just the "neck" and open top of the bottle sticking out. Chuck the snail in and keep your fingers crossed that the flatworm takes the bait.

[catpicklesdog]

It's easier with pictures:grinyes: I just drank half a bottle of water to show you this!!!!

[SpockthePuffer]

good idea cpd!

[AnnetteG]

Great link. Scary little guys. Anyone ever get freaked out by the creatures in the tank??


Totally! I get the creeps at night when I'm watching with a flashlight and see all sorts of weird things creeping about. Watching my fuge gives me the creepy crawlies too. And whenever I'm in the tank rearranging, I'm always a teeny bit afraid of picking up rocks and thinking something might crawl on me or bite me or sting me. LOL I'm such a girly girl. It's a thrilling kind of creepiness though, like watching a scary movie with a cute boy. hee :lol2:

[Whittam]

Thanks for the advice Cpd, I'll give that a try!