Please identify
 

I was staring at my tank last night in the dark and saw something for the first time. Crawling out of one of the rocks was a long slug-like looking thing that appeared like a pyramid with a plateau for the peak. The part I could see was about 4" long and slowly disappeared into the rock. The design on the plateau looked like a snow pea when you break open the shell. No I was not drunk or under the influence of any kind of narcotic. I can't afford anything like that once i'm finished spending all my money on my tank. I'll take pics if I can find it again. Any ideas?

identify
 

bump

identify
 

Anyone? Lie to me.l

Hmm, it sounds like a rare Pharoahus egypticus. They aren't seen in the reef world very often. They aren' t harmful to your reef but guard your valuables. They like to hoard gold shiny things in small temple like structures that they build out of sand.

Christy :)

PS. I'm lying. A picture may help.

Try this maybe. I'm thinking maybe its a limpet (1/2way down the page)?? Either that or you've got to get off the sauce :wink:
http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/mai.../faq_rock2.htm

Christy :)

I have something similar that looks like a slug with a too-small shell. It's harmless, but sorry, don't remember the name of the sucker (he, he). Started with one that came in on some LR, now I have several crawling around.

Thats probably a stomatella snail. Do a search on here, I think someone has probably posted pictures. :biggrin:
Christy :)

Finally a response. Thank you, eventhough it was a lie. The two actual suggestions that you said are definitely not what I have. I'll take some pics of it tonight. It always seems to hang around in the same spot.

identify
 

Here's a few pics of the creature from the rocks. You can see how long it stretches out before the body disappears into the rock.

http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...70canreef2.jpg
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...70canreef3.jpg
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/dat...970canreef.jpg

Any ideas?

worm?
 

WOW cool worm,
I think this one is for DR.Ron
Go to reefs.org and post the pick in Ron Shimeks forum
I think it looks like a nudibranch...but I am guessing. Looks big enough to be harmful though.
How is the algea ....call me when you have time
Later

Re: worm?
 

Actually, the forum is at ReefCentral, here's the link:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...?s=&forumid=40

Mitch

It is a Chiton. It is noturnal and only eats macro alge and is NOT carnivorious. It is very sensitive to lights and hence only comes out in the dark. Usually found as a hitchhiker in tonga rock

It does look quite a bit like a chiton. Give it a poke and a pry, see if it is hard and difficult to get off the rock (don't try too hard, you don't want to tear it). They're a type of plated mollusc. As noted, most species are herbivores, although a few are carnivorous.

chiton
 

So I should leave it in there then or would it be better for the tank overall to remove it?

He is very sensitive to light. Every time I took a picture it would cringe.

I would leave it. It will be fine in there :biggrin:

Christy :)

Unless it's frightening your clownfish!

:biggrin:

idnentify
 

The clowns do get a littly testy when it starts branching out towards their sleeping quarters.

Definitely.

They are light-sensitive. Apparently they have several thousand tiny light-sensitive points on the outside of their shells. Why this would be I didn't bother to check.