Are all flatworms a problem?

[mark0933]

I purchased an item from a LFS in TO today, and when I got home, and was transferring it to the tank, a flatworm came out of it. I think I should toss it, but my wife says it's kinda cute. Are any of these things non problematic? My camera is at work, so a description will have to do. It is cream in colour, abour 1 inch when "non stretched" and can get to 2" stretched. Has a ruffled edge when not stretched.

Is it safe for the reef tank, the fuge, or simply throw it out??

Mark

[Andy]

Sounds like a Lettuce nudibranch to me.

[afss]

yeah.. sounds like a nudi to me too... would depend on the species as to if its safe or not.

Scott

[mark0933]

kinda looks like one, but I have seen them, and it is not. is more slender, more wormlike. I really need my camera to show. I will keep it overnight in a tupperware container, and if it is alive tomorrow, I'll snap a pic.

Mark

[vjvl51]

Here's a thread with pictures and links to pictures of good and bad flat worms. I hope this helps.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=280572

Vickie

[mark0933]

OK, got my camera, so here are a few pics:

[Michael_Lambert]

That is a Nudi! I would leave it out of your tank..

[mark0933]

close up pic:
(sorry for the flash reflection)

[aquanut40]

Hello

If you would like my 2 cents worth, I would say that it is a Polyclad Flatworm. Most of the larger ones are pretty good predators they eat snails and other inverts including in some cases corals.

Stan

[mark0933]

Thanks Stan, I was hoping you'd reply. I thought it was a flatworm, not a nudibranch, because it looked more primative.

Mark

[little-reefer]

I didn't realize some flatworms were so big. At least it looks big in the picture.

[mark0933]

So you can see relative size, the top pic is approx life size, and the 2nd one is blown up some.

Mark