ID Please...some sort of worm?

[SandJ]

I removed a mesh bag of carbon from the sand in my display and set it in the kitchen sink. A few minutes later I found this by the bag. I am 99% sure it came from the tank and was not already in the the sink.

It is still alive and curled up when I picked it up. It looks like it has plates down the spine.

 

[Maggie321]

Chiton - cryptoplax. Score!

 

[Kamden Uelton]

Chiton - cryptoplax. Score!

Thats a score!! I've always been looking for one of those

 

[Maggie321]

It looks just like the ones in lionfish lair's hitchhikers guide. Keep it. It's a cool looking critter. It always amazes me how many things can hide for so long in our tanks. Like surprise! You got something 6 months ago!

 

[SandJ]

Hmm, I guess it is a chiton lol I have seen numerous ones in the tank and ocean, but none have looked like this. Most look like they have a hard shell on their backs. This one just has a small row of plates and the rest looks...meaty for a lack of better words.

 

[SandJ]

Chiton - cryptoplax. Score!

It looks just like the ones in lionfish lair's hitchhikers guide. Keep it. It's a cool looking critter. It always amazes me how many things can hide for so long in our tanks. Like surprise! You got something 6 months ago!

I agree! My daughter and I LOVE looking for all the cool little critters in tanks. She just picked up a Medusa worm from a pet store tonight that came in as a hitchhiker they did not know they had lol

 

[SandJ]

It is alive and well back in the tank.

 

[SandJ]

And I have had this tank for almost two years (acquired as an established setup) and have NEVER seen him in the tank. Makes me wonder what else is in there I don’t know about.