large mystery worm

[fick]

hello dr. ron...

after i posted this in the general reef forum last nite (i was a little excited to get this thing on film) i figured i probably shouldve posted it in here instead. anyway, to avoid double posting here's the link:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=270699

if you have any idea what this is id sure like to know. if the pictures arent very helpful i could probably get better ones tonite or tomorrow. it's always out as soon as the lights turn off.

thanks.brian

[rshimek]

Hi,

Yes, you should have posted here, first!

The animal is a type of mollusk called a chiton, proabably a species of Cryptoplax, as they turn up in aquaria somewhat frequently.

You may find some basic information about chitons here. (http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/aug/wb/default.asp) You may find some information about this particular type, including some better images by searching this forum (button at the top in the logo). Use "cryptoplax" as your search key word.

Bottom line... They are harmless and interesting additions to reef tanks. They will eat some corallines, but in doing so, they facilitate coralline algae growth to be in a more normal pattern.

Enjoy your critter. It is likely far older than you are. Chitons tend to grow about 1 mm in length, more or less, per year.

:D

[fick]

well that makes perfect sense. i didnt even consider the possibility of it being a chiton since it looks so different than the shorter, fatter, large-shelled kinds you often see on rocky beaches. we'll still probably call it 'the finger' though.

thanks a ton!