Help ID this hitch hiker

[sgjerry]

Can someone help ID this hitch hiker? It seems to be something longish .... what is shown is perhaps the head .... or whatever. It moves very much like how a sea cucumber or slug moves. Any info is appreciated.

 

[sgjerry]

No one has any idea? Perhaps this hopefully clearer pic helps. Anyone?

 

[kmk2307]

That is a Chiton. It's a relative of snails. They usually feed on films of algae on rocks. I have (or at least had) one of this species or a very similar sp. in my tank and I used to know the name of the genus. I might have it on my home computer somewhere.

Phylum Mollusca
Class polyplacophora

HTH,
Kevin

 

[sgjerry]

Thanks for the reply. But I thought chitons are suppose to be oval in shape and has 8 plate like shells on top? This fellow looks more longish ...

 

[LeslieH]

Chitons come in several different shapes from round to oval to elongate. The mantle on this one mostly covers the 8 plates. It's in the genus Cryptoplax, possibly species larvaeformis. The plates are reduced in size so the animal is far more flexible and sluglike than other chitons.

 

[sgjerry]

Oh ok ... thanks a lot! Learn something everyday and glad that it is a chiton and not anything dangerous.

 

[sgjerry]

Oh ok ... thanks a lot! Learn something everyday and glad that it is a chiton and not anything dangerous.