What is this thing?

[Tervill]

Hello everyone,

For the past few days, I have noticed some small red worm-like spots on the walls of my tank. They have little fingers poking out of them, and some have a worm-like finger. The sizes of these things range from 3 to 6 millimeters. Does anyone know what these things might be? Thanks.

Terry

[Elmo18]

Hi, I'm going to need more info here ;) Do these things move?

Can you give us a pic?

- Elmo

[organicreefer]

flatworms maybe?

i agree with elmo-a pic would be nice .

[Tervill]

Yes, they appear to be moving. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a digital camera so I can't post any pictures. I removed them from my tank last night anyway because I thought they might be harmfull.

Terry

[Elmo18]

My guess is that you have a red-orange flatworm species. They are harmless in tanks, but their numbers can multiply fast.

- Elmo

[kevinpo]

At that size 6mm = about 2.5" they are certainly not the common flatworm. Does it look like this?

Regards,
Kevin

[organicreefer]

kevin-i saw a white flatworm in my tank refugium that was almost a couple inches;)

i think it may have been one that eats other flatworms -but i dont know-i havent seen it since.

[kevinpo]

organicreefer,
Yes flatworms can be large but not the common ones that multiply to cover most of the sandbed and rocks (acoel type). Which I was guessing that someone was referring to in an earlier post. Here is a picture of a large one from my tank.

Regards,
Kevin
PS: It is likely a polyclad or a neorhabdocoel.

[kevinpo]

Here is a picture of the more common type (acoel) that most people mean when they say flatworm

Regards,
Kevin

[organicreefer]

yeah i know kevin -i was just saying

i didnt pay attention to the size when i first responded-the metric system just doesnt seem to register to well with me

doesnt really sound like a bristle worm either though.wish we had a pic to work with.

[Tervill]

Thanks for the responces. I don't think they're flatworms.... they don't look like the pictures you guys attached. Thy're more of a red shaped ball with small finger-like projections. I've removed them from my tank and none have returned since. Thanks everyone for the help and advice.

Terry