SeaSnake? Eel? Something else?

[SM2444]

Hi all, To my horror, I have this morning found what on land I would compare to a green tree snake. In my reef tank, it had wrapped a 'tongue' around the body of my snail before ingesting it whole (see photo). I'm trying to identify a)what it is and b)whether I should grab it whilst I can (with gloves on). Can anyone help? My tank is a 600l reef tank and so far, I've lost plenty of the same type of snail and 4 fish - all over a 4 month period approx. Cheers in advance, Stef

 

[AdamNC]

No idea what it is but I'd pull it out if you caught it eating your snails.

 

[billdogg]

Tagging along. It's not often I'm completely stumped

 

[Silvergryphon]

That is definitely a whiskey tango foxtrot....

Maybe a mutated anemone from Japan?

 

[viper12775]

that thing is awesome

 

[apexkeeper]

Well that tops the list for craziest hitchhiker I've ever seen...

 

[jeperry3]

That's the damnedest thing I've seen in a long time. With absolutely no confidence, I'm guessing Nudibranch? Can't wait for others to chime in.

 

[SammyL]

I got no freaking idea....tagging along.

 

[viper12775]

my best guess I Notospermus tricuspidatus some are predators

 

[AquaFrenzy]

Wow that thing is crazy! you should post up as many pics as you can to help ID, it looks like it "stretches" around objects, you never know what you have maybe a local aquarium would be willing to take him off your hands =) keep us posted!!

 

[viper12775]

can you get a pic of the head

 

[skippy2]

wow!!! No idea. I've been on RC for over 12 yrs. and have never seen anything like that.

 

[AquaFrenzy]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11238439

previous post made here

 

[viper12775]

that's a ribbon worm for sure

 

[murdock84]

I don't think in my short time that I ever seen it take so long to get a good answer on a post. I guess these are very rare?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

That is so cool! I would catch it and set up a tank for it.

 

[viper12775]

I'm 99% sure it a type of ribbon worm

 

[swhobbie1]

wow. just when you thought you'd seen every crazy thing that crawls out of reef rock. Makes me want to put the cover back on the tank.

 

[AquaFrenzy]

i'm 99% sure it a type of ribbon worm

+1

 

[jeperry3]

I'm 99% sure it a type of ribbon worm

I think you got it. Good call!