MONSTER Flatworm

[mwp]

OK, I found this GIGANTIC "thing" in my tank this evening. FWIW, let me preface this post by saying that the particular "thing" in question was most definitely a hitchhiker, the problem though is that the tank was set up with 99% dead rock. Most all corals in the tank were propagations / frags. What are the ODDS?!

To me it looks like a giant Flatworm. Anyone have any ideas? Of course, part of me wants to immediately "flush it", but the reality is that if it's actually "safe", I should just put it back. This thing is truly bizzare...it moves rather rapidly, almost to the point of where I thought, initially, that I was seeing a small Octopus! It has two VERY tiny "folds" that seem to form "eyestalks" at the front end, but I've been unable to observe any mouth / anus etc...basically no structure that suggests this to be any type of Nudibranch or Slug.

So 2 things:

1. ID?

2. Safe for a reef?

Matt

 

[db_triggerfish]

tagging and bump

 

[greenbean36191]

It is a polyclad flatworm. This one feeds on mollusks, so it's not something you want in your tank.

 

[mwp]

That could explain my terrible troubles in keeping Tridacna's alive!

Matt

 

[mwp]

BTW, FWIW this thing is most definitely nocturnal...only noticed it while trying to capture some peppermint shrimp larvae...

Matt

 

[Brewen]

Wow :eek2:

 

[cchoffman]

I pull one a night from my tank. I am getting a Leopard Wrasse to try and help control them.

Try a crocea clam, they have never touched mine. Just every snail and small hermit crab i put in the tank.