Sea Mouse

[Wildcatt88]

Dr. Ron,

Could I trouble you for just a bit of info on this little critter?

This is a molt of what appears to be a sea mouse. I have looked them up, but can't find any info on them, as far as what they eat, reef safe/not, sand sifters, etc...

Thank you to Dr. Toonen for the ID, as we couldn't find a picture to match it to in any of our books...

Dang, finally got it posted...

[Wildcatt88]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/15697ID.jpg

[rshimek]

Hi,

Well, to me your item appears to be a polychaete worm, but it doesn't appear to be a sea mouse or Aphrodite. If you still have the item and can get some other images of it or wish to send it to me, I can perhaps identify it.

Sea mice are polychaete worms that live in soft sediments. They are covered with a covering of hair-like bristles that tends to bind mud. They are very stiff and rugged worms, and from the bottom side the appendages on the side are quite visible. Neither the appendages nor the covering of hair-like bristles are apparent in your image.

In any case, these animals do not molt. :D

They burrow through sediments and suck up and eat small clams, crustaceans and other worms.

An Aphrodite negligens photographed in nature. It is about the size of a clenched fist. The "fur" on the back is matted with mud.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41Aphrodite.jpg

The same animal turned over to show the bottom. Note the appendages out on each side of each segment.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41Aphrodite_with_Pseudopythina.jpg

:D

[Wildcatt88]

Well, darn!

Let me see if I can get you some more pictures... (I was posting this for someone else...)

If you would like to play with the carcas, I can probably arrange that! ;-)

[rshimek]

Hi,

I would like to see the corpse. If you can arrange for it, have it pickled in some rubbing alcohol. Once that is done we can arrange for it to be sent to me.

:D

[mejiggery]

i have a sea mouse in my cold water tank. I beleive mine is aphrodita aculeata. Dont see it too much though its always buried, but sometimes comes up along the glass. Heres a link to a picture I took when i first caught it. If you'd like to look.
http://www.mejiggery.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Photos/britishmarines/inverts/mouse/seamouse.htm

[rshimek]

Hi,

Nice shot, a ventral view. Just to satisfy convention, you might want to change the name to capitalize the genus name. Generic names are always capitalized. :D

[mejiggery]

cool ok thankyou

[Wildcatt88]

Nice shot! Here are a couple more pictures for you to take a look at, if you don't mind bouncing over... He added a few more pictures.

http://fragexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2620

[Wildcatt88]

I also posted your request for him to pickle it and send it to you. I can get the details from you, or I can have him contact you directly...

[rshimek]

Hi,

You have a PM. :D