What is this? Could it be a flatworm? I don't really think it is...

[luconi]

So I've only seen one in my fish tank, and it used to be on the rocks. Now it has moved to the glass and it moves very very slow. What is this thing? Is it ok to have?

 

[iamwhatiam52]

Don't think it's a flat worm. More likely a limpet.

 

[tahoe61]

No, not a flat worm. I agree probably a limpet or chiton.

 

[pagojoe]

I think it's a Keyhole Limpet. It would be much easier to ID it from the top, rather than the bottom of the foot.

Cheers,



Don

 

[mscarpena]

I agree limpet most likely, but could be a chiton

 

[luconi]

Thanks everybody.. I'm pretty sure it's a chiton and not a limpet... Any info on whatever a chiton is?

 

[pagojoe]

They're both essentially grazing snails, even though one looks like a little volcano with a hole in the middle (more or less) and the other looks like a pillbug almost, with interlocking plates forming the shell. Neither should be a problem in your tank. The little hairlike protuberances that you can see around the edge of the animal are typical of many of the Vetigastropoda, including keyhole limpets, abalones, and trochids. I've never seen them on chitons.

Cheers,



Don