Cool hitchhiker... I think?

REV · 08/10/2006, 06:47 PM

I found what appears to be some kind of sea slug/nudibranch on the base of a new frag. It moves pretty fast is slug like and it looks like it may have a small shell like piece in the middle of its back. I am trying to get a picture, but it isn't coming out well through the bag. If it is a slug/nudibranch, any concerns? I'm really worried that it could be some monster flatworm or something. Anyway, please offer any help advice w/out pic. I'll keep trying to get a pic meanwhile.

TKByrnes · 08/10/2006, 06:50 PM

what color is it and does it look like this

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=4

REV · 08/10/2006, 06:57 PM

No. Doesn't have much texture. It is pretty brown/tan. It has two antennae and the "shell" in the middle of its back is opal colored. It's about 3/4 of an inch long. I just noticed as I was shining a light on it there are several other little worms on it, too. The little guys are opaque/almost clear, but have three white spots one on the front, middle, and end. These also move at a pretty good clip. HELP!!

TKByrnes · 08/10/2006, 06:59 PM

no clue maybe a long timer will chime in.

REV · 08/10/2006, 07:00 PM

I wish I could get a decent pic!!!

fancyfish · 08/10/2006, 07:06 PM

wonder if it is a chiton...sounds like it. here is a link to chiton on wikepedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiton

REV · 08/10/2006, 07:11 PM

I'm not sure this animal would be able to retract into this "shell". It's like a kids hat on an adult... (best I could think of...) Anyway, thanks, but I dont think it's a chiton. Man, this feels like a bad gameshow... no picture, but guess! Please, play again.

TippyToeX · 08/10/2006, 07:24 PM

Stomatella varia I'd bet

maxima k2 · 08/10/2006, 07:30 PM

From your description google limpet and see if that matches.

rppvt · 08/10/2006, 07:35 PM

I've got one of those--- never seen him/her eating anything but algae--- like a tiny baseball cap on a slug-- speckled brownish.

Ooulophilia · 08/10/2006, 07:40 PM

I agree - stomatella almost for sure

REV · 08/10/2006, 07:41 PM

DING, DING, DING, DING, DING. Tell'em what he's won BOB... Thank you all. TippyToeX is the winner. (I know, I'm corny...) Now, any ideas about the little guys?? Babies or something else. Again, the little guys are opaque to clear, slug like, a single white spot on nose end, middle, and rear,(3) and move pretty quick. Just nervous about any hitchhikers, ya know.

Gerad · 08/10/2006, 07:42 PM

Stomatella varia definitly. i would guess anyway. i have several of them and they are algee eating machins. you probubly have more then one and they will reproduc very well in your tank. i can see 7 in my tank now. they come out after the lights go out. look with a red flash light.

The Reefer91 · 08/10/2006, 08:41 PM

i've got one too. i have a question though. twice i've seen it spew pink stuff from a tube, what is it doing?

iamwhatiam52 · 08/10/2006, 08:58 PM

If it moves very quickly (for a snail) it's Stomatella,

08/10/2006, 06:47 PM	#1
REV Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 394	Cool hitchhiker... I think? I found what appears to be some kind of sea slug/nudibranch on the base of a new frag. It moves pretty fast is slug like and it looks like it may have a small shell like piece in the middle of its back. I am trying to get a picture, but it isn't coming out well through the bag. If it is a slug/nudibranch, any concerns? I'm really worried that it could be some monster flatworm or something. Anyway, please offer any help advice w/out pic. I'll keep trying to get a pic meanwhile. __________________ John Doe Current Tank Info: 72 reef

08/10/2006, 06:50 PM	#2
TKByrnes Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fairfield, PA Posts: 1,331	what color is it and does it look like this http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=4 __________________ Baby it was on sale half price I PROMISE!!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef-55 gal sump-mag 9.5 return pump-10 gal frag tank 15 gal refugium. 2x 150 watt HQI outer orbit 4x pc actinic

08/10/2006, 06:57 PM	#3
REV Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 394	No. Doesn't have much texture. It is pretty brown/tan. It has two antennae and the "shell" in the middle of its back is opal colored. It's about 3/4 of an inch long. I just noticed as I was shining a light on it there are several other little worms on it, too. The little guys are opaque/almost clear, but have three white spots one on the front, middle, and end. These also move at a pretty good clip. HELP!! __________________ John Doe Current Tank Info: 72 reef

08/10/2006, 06:59 PM	#4
TKByrnes Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fairfield, PA Posts: 1,331	no clue maybe a long timer will chime in. __________________ Baby it was on sale half price I PROMISE!!!! Current Tank Info: 90 gal mixed reef-55 gal sump-mag 9.5 return pump-10 gal frag tank 15 gal refugium. 2x 150 watt HQI outer orbit 4x pc actinic

08/10/2006, 07:00 PM	#5
REV Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 394	I wish I could get a decent pic!!! __________________ John Doe Current Tank Info: 72 reef

08/10/2006, 07:06 PM	#6
fancyfish Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,418	wonder if it is a chiton...sounds like it. here is a link to chiton on wikepedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiton __________________ The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax. Albert Einstein I hate micro-bubbles!! Current Tank Info: 215 gallon oceanic Ultimate with starfire front, 3-250 watt metal halide, 4-36 inch 39 watt T-5 actinic and daylight bulbs, aquamedic turboflotor shorty with mesh mod 3-Tunze Turbelle® stream 6105 with controller, 40 gallon sump

08/10/2006, 07:11 PM	#7
REV Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 394	I'm not sure this animal would be able to retract into this "shell". It's like a kids hat on an adult... (best I could think of...) Anyway, thanks, but I dont think it's a chiton. Man, this feels like a bad gameshow... no picture, but guess! Please, play again. __________________ John Doe Current Tank Info: 72 reef

08/10/2006, 07:24 PM	#8
TippyToeX Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 10,711	Stomatella varia I'd bet __________________ -Amy-

08/10/2006, 07:30 PM	#9
maxima k2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 600	From your description google limpet and see if that matches.

08/10/2006, 07:35 PM	#10
rppvt rppvt Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 484	I've got one of those--- never seen him/her eating anything but algae--- like a tiny baseball cap on a slug-- speckled brownish.

08/10/2006, 07:40 PM	#11
Ooulophilia Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Norcal Posts: 482	I agree - stomatella almost for sure

08/10/2006, 07:41 PM	#12
REV Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 394	DING, DING, DING, DING, DING. Tell'em what he's won BOB... Thank you all. TippyToeX is the winner. (I know, I'm corny...) Now, any ideas about the little guys?? Babies or something else. Again, the little guys are opaque to clear, slug like, a single white spot on nose end, middle, and rear,(3) and move pretty quick. Just nervous about any hitchhikers, ya know. __________________ John Doe Current Tank Info: 72 reef

08/10/2006, 07:42 PM	#13
Gerad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: atwater Posts: 108	Stomatella varia definitly. i would guess anyway. i have several of them and they are algee eating machins. you probubly have more then one and they will reproduc very well in your tank. i can see 7 in my tank now. they come out after the lights go out. look with a red flash light.

08/10/2006, 08:41 PM	#14
The Reefer91 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,250	i've got one too. i have a question though. twice i've seen it spew pink stuff from a tube, what is it doing? __________________ Dan "Every day we fade little by little, 'till there's nothing left of us but the lies we've sown." Current Tank Info: 20g L display: 2x65watt Coralife light, Octopus 150 needle wheel protein skimmer, 1 Koralia 2 and 2 powersweeps, and a DIY sump/fuge.....120G in the works!!!

08/10/2006, 08:58 PM	#15
iamwhatiam52 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Freeport, NY Posts: 1,466	If it moves very quickly (for a snail) it's Stomatella, __________________ Occupation: Need one. Will work for salt. Current Tank Info: 180 mixed up reef started April 2005. 4 small tanks on same sump.