unknown invert

[kyocera]

Can anybody identify this invert. It is approx as round as a pencil or pen and 3 or 4 inches long.The part pictured is the head section the rest stays inside the rock. The coloration doesn't seem to continue down the body.It only comes out at night and seems to feed off of the algae on the rock surface

 

[Fat Man]

Looks to be a chiton of some sort. If so it's a cool grazer.

 

[kyocera]

It is longer like a worm.The part you see looks flatened but it has a round appearance.

 

[kyocera]

Thanks Fatman it is a chiton cryptoplax..

 

[J. Montgomery]

I've got the same hitchhiker in my tank and I've been wondering what it is for months. I ruled out chiton because it doesn't seem to have the tough segmented type body that everyone says chiton have (and I have some chiton too). This thing has a soft looking body with that VERY distinctive marking on the back, and it is SUPER light sensitive.

 

[greenbean36191]

Kyocera's ID is right on. It's Cryptoplax. The name of the genus reflects that the valves of the shell aren't as obvious as in some other chitons.

 

[J. Montgomery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8689683#post8689683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenbean36191
Kyocera's ID is right on. It's Cryptoplax. The name of the genus reflects that the valves of the shell aren't as obvious as in some other chitons.

Huh . . . cool, thanks Green Bean. I've been racking my brain over that one.

 

[kyocera]

I've changed tanks several times, bought and sold live rock yet I still have this chiton. It must be one strong creature.