Chiton??NEED ADVICE (Pic.s added)

[Aldente P.]

There is a leach looking worm about 1 1/2 long its under a mushroom looks like its releasing smoke,slime that is going straight up..Can anyone tell me what this is and do i need to remove it??

 

[pineappleface]

no picture?

 

[DalaiTom]

@Aldente P. wrote:

If you don't have pics, could you at least give a better description than "leach looking worm".

 

[DaveJ]

Sounds like a worm spawning... bristleworms will do that. Does it look like a pipecleaner?

 

[Aldente P.]

Let me see if i can post a pic

 

[Aldente P.]

I have a pic. now but dont know how to post it.

 

[Curtis]

Click the Post Reply button.
Below the text box where you type you message is a section that is title "Attachment Postinjg Control Panel"
Click the Add an Attachment button
Follow the direction
Hit [Submit]
Done

 

[Aldente P.]

It says the attachment is to big,how do i make it smaller?

 

[Aldente P.]

Worm pic

 

[Aldente P.]

Sorry i havent figured this stuff out just yet,posting pic. that is.Maybe you can see good enough to ID this thing

 

[weedonphoto]

Aldente,

Check out the following link. There are hundreds of species of these things, but if I'm looking at the correct part of your picture, the 8-segmented "animal" looks like a chiton to me.

http://www.woodbridge.tased.edu.au/mdc/Species%20Register/chitons.htm

I've seen them often diving and in the intertidal zone (close to the shore), but have never had one show up in my reef tank.

Most inverts spawning in your tank are not a real issue unless the water gets completely fouled up...I would just keep an eye on it.

Just my thoughts...

Matt

 

[Aldente P.]

Thanks Matt
Thats exactly what it was. By everything i read i dont think i would have been able to get him of the rock unless i was willing to crush his shell. So it was spawning. I hope there waasnt any others in there to complete the process. Thanks for the link Matt

 

[DaveJ]

@Aldente P. wrote:

Sure you do... Chitons are VERY cool critters. They are great for your system and will help keep your rocks very well maintained.

 

[tnn1567]

@weedonphoto wrote:

Matt, that is a great link. I learned something new everyday.

 

[Aldente P.]

So will he get hungry one day and start eating on my soft corals? I've had this tank for about 2 months and hav'nt ever seen him before. Really did'nt know i had any holes in my LR that big. Well as far as i know he has'nt caused any harm yet.

 

[DaveJ]

@Aldente P. wrote:

No, he is an algae eater. Very reef safe, but if a coral or rock is not seated well, he could tip something over as he goes about his business just like a snail could.