|
|
|
|
|||||||
 |
| Thread Tools |
05/26/2010, 01:25 AM
|
#1 |
|
Moved On
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 485
|
what is this brown eel/worm, and what is it doing with my crab's claw...
Ok so I saw this worm/eel looking thing carrying around a claw from my porcelein crab...
Ive never seen a worm like this one...and want to know if i should get rid of it, or if it actually attacked my crab its probably a molt from the crab, but i havent seen him yet, but just incase id like to be safe cause i havent seen a worm like this its smooth, brown, with a black/darkBrown 'spine' going down the middle of it. Mostly flat Kinda reminds me of an eel the way it moves, but its probably a worm. looked at worms in id hitchiker guides, couldnt fine one like this... |
|
|
|
05/26/2010, 02:13 AM
|
#2 |
|
King of the white corals
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,239
|
looks kinda like a flatworm
if you dont get an answer here post it in the invert forum and see if Leslie can take a look. I havent seen one quite like that. She might have a better idea
__________________
I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach |
|
|
|
|
05/26/2010, 07:17 AM
|
#3 |
|
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 17,691
|
I agree, it looks like a flatworm to me. Probably a polyclad but there a thousand of species of polyclad flatworm so a definitive ID is going to be nearly impossible. Most of the polyclad flatworms that we find in our tanks are predatory, typically preying on snails and clams.
__________________
Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders. |
|
|
|
|
05/26/2010, 07:55 AM
|
#4 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 64
|
+1 on flatworm
|
|
|
|
|
05/26/2010, 08:44 AM
|
#5 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,736
|
Looking at the scale of things, I don't see it having any success 'attacking' your crab, but would agree with the flatworm ID, or a scrunched up ribbon worm (Nemertean).
Edit: Here's a good nemertean for reference, though a lot we see are striped. http://guamreeflife.com/images/organ..._spA_full3.jpg Last edited by noahm; 05/26/2010 at 08:50 AM. |
|
|
|
|
05/26/2010, 09:37 AM
|
#6 |
|
Moved On
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 485
|
So regardless, take it out?
I have clams im worried about crapp! it got away over night! Is it really that bad? I hope it doesnt like clams... Last edited by grom; 05/26/2010 at 09:50 AM. |
|
|
|
|
05/26/2010, 03:01 PM
|
#7 |
|
Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,736
|
flatworm generally preys on mullusks. Nemereteans are generally predators, but not specifically clams. Try a baited bottle trap. Just watch and pull it out when it goes in. Looks like it was scavenging the claw, so shrimp would probably be good bait.
|
|
|
|
|
05/30/2010, 09:03 PM
|
#8 |
|
Premium Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 3,178
|
Nemertean. It may have been scavenging the flesh remaining in the claw.
__________________
Cheers, Leslie So many worms, so little time... Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| Ooey Gooey was a worm | nicoleah | Other Invertebrates | 0 | 10/21/2009 08:23 PM |
| two brown flat worms found today !?!?! help! | thomasp123 | Reef Discussion | 7 | 01/19/2009 11:10 AM |
| porcelain crab's claw bout to blow off... | happyhourhero | Reef Discussion | 1 | 05/14/2007 11:06 PM |
| Red/Brown flat worm predators? | Lyscer | Reef Discussion | 4 | 04/17/2006 07:57 PM |
| ID of this brown fuzzy worm | Silverado | New to the Hobby | 25 | 01/30/2006 05:13 PM |
