help me identify this worm / snail thigny

[mazda2002]

Quick story,

Found this weird worm in my tank today. I've seen it twice before, but this time it was far enough out of its rock that I could grab it with some tweezers. To my surprise, it was far too strong and forced its way back in its hole. (this thing has a hard leathery skin)

It has a weird look to it, it is skin color, has 4 white dots on its face that look like eyes. It has a bleu spot on its head, fallowed by a two color spot. White intrior with red exterior.

I took the rock out of the water and tried to scare it out with fresh water, tweezers and poking it with a needle.

I then found it's main body in a crack on the other side of the rock.

Here is the rly clumbsy and stupid part, I dropped the needle and it stung me in my leg. (this right after I poked threw the creatures skin.) Its been 10 min and I dont feel anything that I cant attribute to my nervesness)

I then cut the rock in half to get it out. (hoping id have something to show the dock if it came to that)

I got it out, when curled up it is about the size od a coarter. I now have it in a tupperware with aquarium water.

Pics coming

Oh BTW am I going to die?

 

[xxwake4lifexx]

You're going to get teh Sea AIDZ :lol:. Nah, you'll be fine. I think. Just don't hold me to that.

Without pics its just hopeless to let you know how its going to end. I don't have any idea of what it is. I'm far too noobish still - BUT I thought the Sea AIDZ was teh lolz.

 

[pagojoe]

LOL I'll make a guess even without a pic, just judging from the description and how it reacted. My guess is that it's a chiton in the genus Cryptoplax, probably Cryptoplax larvaeformis. They are harmless algae eaters, and aren't toxic.

You can search Reef Central for pics. There were some good ones posted in the last year or so.

Cheers,



Don

 

[mazda2002]

Well im still alive, I cant get the pics out of my phone tho.

I unfortunatly killed the snail and I think you are right pagojoe, it looks like a Cryptoplax from the pictures ive seen on the web.

I got this pic from the web, its much better than my phone pic.

http://www.aquarium-design.fr/Img/ImgTelecharge/1381.jpg

I did see a adverse effect to having this thing in my tank, I could not leave any coral on the rock were it was. It would get knokked off over night.

 

[mazda2002]

my pics

 

[pagojoe]

Yep, that's Cryptoplax larvaeformis.

Cheers,



Don

 

[mazda2002]

Thank you!!

this forum rocks.

 

[perenes]

yeah +2 to that