I got up real early this morning to go huntin'

Tmot99 · 06/07/2011, 06:56 AM

Since yesterday afternoon, I spotted the enemy and I was on a mission. When I first spotted him, he dashed into a crevice before I could really get a decent look at him. I knew the pattern on his body, so if I came across a picture, I might be able to figure it out. But I couldn't identify his shape.

I did some searching online and found a photo of what it could be, Dendrodoris elongata! I continued to do more searches and low and behold, it is not likely a Dendrodoris elongata. So I keep checking out my tank throughout the evening like I do just about every evening, and I see it again. Around this rock, and across that one. I get my baster out and try to suck it out, but its no use. It is too strong and the baster is just not the right tool for the job. But he knows I know he's there.

So I get up early this morning to go huntin'. With a miner's light on my head and my camo pajamas on, I go down to my tank. And there, in the corner, I spot him. Without hesitation, I remove the hood of my tank and with my bare hand, reach in and grab him! It's a bit of a struggle, but I am not going to let him get away. He goes this way, I go that way, and finally, I catch him!

A polyclad flatworm.

I had read on here to get up at 5:00am and see if they are out, and sure enough, this advice was sound! I always look around my tank in the evening with a flashlight because there is so much going on but yet, have never seen this guy. It was strange that I just happened to see him yesterday in the afternoon and then was able to see him going around my tank last night. I have had many snails disappearing on me and I've wondered why I can't even keep a frickin' snail in my tank. I wonder just how many more I have. But no doubt, I'm going huntin' again!

greech · 06/07/2011, 07:01 AM

Good story.

Guess the early bird does get the worm

Happy hunting!

Sugar Magnolia · 06/07/2011, 07:15 AM

Good catch!! Hopefully that's the only one.

disc1 · 06/07/2011, 08:09 AM

I just caught one of those in my tank a week ago. Big flatworm. Someone told me they are usually solitary. I hope for both our sakes that is right.

progman2000 · 06/07/2011, 08:31 AM

Wow, that thing is a snail killer?

Tmot99 · 06/07/2011, 08:36 AM

Yep. goes after clams too. I don't have any clams though. I only have a 29g biocube. I really hope that he was alone. I've got a trap in the tank for a few days to see if I can catch any more.

06/07/2011, 06:56 AM	#1
Tmot99 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 14	I got up real early this morning to go huntin' Since yesterday afternoon, I spotted the enemy and I was on a mission. When I first spotted him, he dashed into a crevice before I could really get a decent look at him. I knew the pattern on his body, so if I came across a picture, I might be able to figure it out. But I couldn't identify his shape. I did some searching online and found a photo of what it could be, Dendrodoris elongata! I continued to do more searches and low and behold, it is not likely a Dendrodoris elongata. So I keep checking out my tank throughout the evening like I do just about every evening, and I see it again. Around this rock, and across that one. I get my baster out and try to suck it out, but its no use. It is too strong and the baster is just not the right tool for the job. But he knows I know he's there. So I get up early this morning to go huntin'. With a miner's light on my head and my camo pajamas on, I go down to my tank. And there, in the corner, I spot him. Without hesitation, I remove the hood of my tank and with my bare hand, reach in and grab him! It's a bit of a struggle, but I am not going to let him get away. He goes this way, I go that way, and finally, I catch him! A polyclad flatworm. I had read on here to get up at 5:00am and see if they are out, and sure enough, this advice was sound! I always look around my tank in the evening with a flashlight because there is so much going on but yet, have never seen this guy. It was strange that I just happened to see him yesterday in the afternoon and then was able to see him going around my tank last night. I have had many snails disappearing on me and I've wondered why I can't even keep a frickin' snail in my tank. I wonder just how many more I have. But no doubt, I'm going huntin' again!

06/07/2011, 07:01 AM	#2
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	Good story. Guess the early bird does get the worm Happy hunting! __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

06/07/2011, 07:15 AM	#3
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Good catch!! Hopefully that's the only one. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

06/07/2011, 08:09 AM	#4
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	I just caught one of those in my tank a week ago. Big flatworm. Someone told me they are usually solitary. I hope for both our sakes that is right. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Real sea water or synthetic?	SPotter	New to the Hobby	3	06/13/2010 07:56 AM
Where can I get a 44g brute early tomorrow morning?	Shmax	Central Ohio Reef Aquarists (CORA)	5	02/04/2009 07:35 AM
RC News !!! Stevatronika went up in smoke early this morning....	Young Frankenstein	Florida Marine Aquarium Society (FMAS) - Miami/Ft. Lauderdale	2	08/10/2008 08:17 AM
Someone is up early this morning!	Nammy	Capital District Marine Aquarist Society	8	04/01/2007 10:57 AM

06/07/2011, 08:31 AM	#5
progman2000 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 112	Wow, that thing is a snail killer?

06/07/2011, 08:36 AM	#6
Tmot99 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 14	Yep. goes after clams too. I don't have any clams though. I only have a 29g biocube. I really hope that he was alone. I've got a trap in the tank for a few days to see if I can catch any more.