View Full Version : Flat worm?
leocom2000
10-16-2010, 10:22 PM
I have some creatures on the brain coral that resemble flat worms. They are very thin and flat. The only thing is they have some sort of a pouch on their body that holds a long sweeper. It sends out sweeper out at night. I have pictures and videos of it. Please, let me know if they are OK.
139214
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ-6lWRQgSw
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those are flat worms
these are
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WormPIX/FlatwormPIX/flatworm_pic_to_WWM.jpg
Amphiprion
10-17-2010, 2:54 PM
Congrats, you actually have a neat little creature there. It is actually a platyctenid--a type of benthic ctenophore. They can cause a little localized irritation, but are practically never harmful and do no lasting damage. They are typically short-lived, however, since they rely on planktonic matter to satisfy their dietary needs--something that is usually in minute or at least insufficient amounts in most aquaria.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/Grzimek_inverts/Ctenophora/Vallicula_multiformis.jpg/badge.jpg
greech
10-17-2010, 2:59 PM
If you are referring to the little white piece near the base of the coral, that does not look like any type of FW I have seen. It could be a digitate hydroid but I have never seen one attach directly to a coral. It also could be a worm. Is the sweeper like a lightweight thread that looks like it has barbs? If so it is probably a hydroid which can sting corals. I have had them before but they never last long enough to do any damage. They seem to like a little dirtier water so keep your water quality in good shape. If it starts to build a casing it is likely a worm of some sort.
EDIT: Never mind. Amp's ID looks like what you have :)
leocom2000
10-17-2010, 5:46 PM
Congrats, you actually have a neat little creature there. It is actually a platyctenid--a type of benthic ctenophore. They can cause a little localized irritation, but are practically never harmful and do no lasting damage. They are typically short-lived, however, since they rely on planktonic matter to satisfy their dietary needs--something that is usually in minute or at least insufficient amounts in most aquaria.
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/Grzimek_inverts/Ctenophora/Vallicula_multiformis.jpg/badge.jpg (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/Grzimek_inverts/Ctenophora/Vallicula_multiformis.jpg/badge.jpg)
You are the MAN!!!! I was looking for an answer for a while. I have a pretty good LFS near me that specializing in reefs, but they did not know what it was. It is what it looks like on the picture.
Thank you.:clap: