Worm / sea slug ID - 1/4 Spikes on it's back - I'm not a noob :)

[MadTownMax]

I was checking out my tank tonight using my red LED light so I didn't spook the fishes, and came across this worm - you can see the general size compared to the closed zooanthids in the picture - it's probably about 2" long.

kinda looks like some type of shell-less snail or whatnot, but it had large spikes - about 6 that I could see, all about 1/4" long on it's back.

Anyone have a good idea on an ID?

 

[eleodes]

your picture is fuzzy, but i would bet on a chiton (Mollusca: Polyplacophora)

 

[MadTownMax]

I have chitons in my tank.

This creature lacks a segmented shell (it has no shell) - you can see the yellow spines (which I'm not aware of any chitons having..)

 

[eleodes]

it still looks like a chiton to me. some chitons have much-reduced shells and have the appearance of hefty worms with small hard pieces on their backs.

can you put up another picture or two?

 

[charlesr1958]

Yeah, thats a chiton, have one almost like it myself. Should be a harmless algae eater.

 

[LeslieH]

As the others have said, the animal in the center of the picture is a chiton, Cryptoplax sp. Scroll down this page for an image of one http://www.poisson-or.com/fr/dept_54.html

 

[MadTownMax]

Thank you everyone (especially eleodes for your patience ) - From the last picture reference, that definately looks close - maybe mine will look more like the picture as it matures.

Another picture is going to be rare - who knows how long this has been in my tank, or if I'll ever see it again. Taking pictures in the dark was extremely difficult - I was lucky to get the one that I did, that was the best out of about 20 shots I was able to snap - the rest were absolutely worthless - just blurry pictures of the rocks as I'm not skilled enough to take manual shots using flash - this one has some sharpness refinement from an "auto" setting to make it look that good.

I almost thought about pulling it out when I saw it, but it wasn't munching on a coral, so I assumed it was OK

If i do see it again, I'll grab it and put it into a small cup for close-ups, as I'm interested to see if there are small fragments of shell - similar to a keyhole limpet I assume.

 

[LeslieH]

Not really that similar to a limpet. The mantle extends up over the back & covers most of the 8 shell plates - that's why they're not easily visible. In most chitons the mantle is reduced & just forms a skirt around the base of the animal.

Put red plastic over a flash light or other light source so you have better light for focusing. that might help your pictures.

 

[MadTownMax]

I was using a Mag flashlight with brand new batteries - it didn't produce enough light for anything more than a supremely grainy picture.


I'd put the chances of me seeing it again at slim to none - but if I do I'm going to get some supremely good pictures after I yank it out :thumbsup:

 

[MadTownMax]

from the Link above: