ID Please with pics and movie

[cchoffman]

I have been having a hard time keeping snails alive in my tank lately. So Last night I went down with a red flashlight and and found these munching on a dead snail. I don't know if they killed it or were just cleaning up after the murder, but I have no idea what they are. There were three, I got 2, one slipped away. I also found one in my sump.

Here is a quicktime movie i took with my digital camera. The tape measure is there for size reference.

Movie

If it is predatory is there a cure. Thanks in advance for the help.

edit: The date on pics is not correct, I just changed the batteries on my camera.

 

[charlesr1958]

Its a polyclad flatworm, a very common find hitch hiking in on live rock, in fact, I find one of these on just about every rock that I over turn in the grass beds here. They are predators of snails, so yes, they are what probably killed your snails. The only way I know of to get rid of them is by manual removal (picking them out as you find them).

Chuck's Hitch Hiker Pages

Chuck

 

[cchoffman]

Well another snail down, but 3 more out of the tank. I hope they don't reproduce fast.
Thanks for the fast response.

 

[kmk2307]

cchoffman,

When you catch more, will you save them and send them to me? I teach an invertebrate zoology course lab and I would like to microphotoragh them and preserve them. I can pay your shipping expenses. PM me if you are willing.

Thank you,
Kevin

 

[cchoffman]

no problem. if i get more I will let you know. Honestly, i hope i don't see anymore. it has been a couple days with no dead snails.

 

[charlesr1958]

Hi Kevin, just noticed you are in the market for some photos, If you have ever seen my hitch hiker pages, I have quite alot of good high res photos of all the critters shown. If any of them interest you and they can be of use, I would be glad to email them to you.

Chuck