Didn't even know this was in my tank

[Marcshark]

Didn't even know this was in my tank. Looks like some type of sea hare/ sea slug (Polyclad Flatworm?). It's brownish-purpleish with white spots (or maybe the reverse), about 3+ inches long and is eating a Nass. snail in these pictures. I had noticed I hadn't seen my snails much since adding them and did see an empty shell.

I'm going to be moving this tank soon. Should I try to get it out after removing all the rocks and everything? I've heard they can release toxic stuff if disturbed or die. When I moved the sand near it to see if I could gently scoop it out - it shot back into the sand like lightning quick!

Or is it beneficial and I should leave it in? What will it eat when it runs out of snails. Should I keep adding snails or something to feed it?

Any advice is appreciated.
-Marc

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

octopus?

not sure but it is A**ugly and personally would take it out if it is eating my snails...as its diet wont differ much from that of snails...and snails that eat poo and food and are far more beneficial in my tank then one that eats other snails..

 

[mbbuna]

[welcome]

it looks like a polyclad flatworm. i would remove it while you can

 

[pagojoe]

Yeah, it's a polyclad flatworm, and you probably don't want it in your tank. I doubt it would poison your tank if it died, but it will continue to eat the molluscs in your tank as long as it's in there.

Cheers,


Don