Flatworm ID?

[Jerry911]

Hi, All.

 

I need to know exactly what this thing is, and more importantly, how it makes a living. It is about the size of a penny. It moves around some, but not much. The Aq is a 300 gal Reef, and has been running for 2 years. I spend a lot of time, day or night, watching, and have never seen this thing before the other day. And, I have not added anything for several months now.

 

Any ideas?

 

Jerry

 

There is a large photo here: http://www.socalspeedskating.org/images/temp/Flatworm.jpg

[JManrow]

It appears very similar in appearance to the Polyclad Flatworms (name meaning "many" branches to their gut), including genera Pseudoceros and Pseudobiceros.

 

Paraplanocera sp? http://www.hawaiisfishes.com/inverts/polyclad_flatworms/index.htm

Sorry I didn't come up with a definite ID for you. Good luck!

 

Hopefully this may be of help in your search. You might try locating this book: http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Flatworms-Polyclads-Leslie-Newman/dp/0643068295

 

You say that you need to know exactly what this thing is. You might forward your picture to one of these researchers. I know that Dave Behrens has done extensive work with nudibranchs. I'm sure he is very knowledgeable of flatworms as well.

 

GARY C. WILLIAMS

http://research.calacademy.org/research/izg/williams.htm

 

David W. Behrens

http://slugsite.us/bow/nudwk402.htm

 

Terrence M. Gosliner

http://research.calacademy.org/research/curators/gosliner.php

 

Again, best of luck Jerry.

[Jerry911]

Thank you! Useful information regardless.

 

I really just want to know if this thing is harmful or not. It is truly fascinating to see things like this pop up from time to time.

 

Jerry

[JManrow]

Here's a general overview of flatworms by Dr. Ron Shimek. http://www.ronshimek.com/flatworms.html

 

Dr. Ron states "Polyclads are generally thought to be predatory, often on small worms, crustaceans, but also occasionally in aquaria, snails and clams."

[Jerry911]

Thank you!! The page by Dr. Ron Shimek is very useful! I do have some degradation of SPS corals going on, and now I need to start looking for certain flatworms.

 

Jerry