identify this hitchhiker please!!!

[Devon93274]

This thing popped up for the first time tonight. It's definitely nocturnal. The flash from my camera made it go back into the rocks. From what I could see it is more than 7 inches long. I couldn't see the end of it. It slithered it self way deep into the darkness of the live rock. Please let me know if you know what this is. Thank you.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

That's a chiton.

 

[jamie callard Verified Sponsor]

cant wait to see what someone calls it

 

[Tom Blevins]

following WOW baby lockness.

 

[cameronh]

Looks like a slug?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

That's its shell you see peaking out there.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

 

[Devon93274]

following WOW baby lockness.

Yasss!!!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

LOL!

 

[Tom Blevins]

Looks close but what is the neck behind it?

 

[Devon93274]

Thanks Lion Fish Lair. Anything I should know about this Chiton? How much bigger can he get? Can it be dangerous? Is it nocturnal?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It's not a neck. The plates aren't connected, but are overlapping. There's still a slug/snail like critter under there, with flesh coming up over the edges.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Thanks Lion Fish Lair. Anything I should know about this Chiton? How much bigger can he get? Can it be dangerous? Is it nocturnal?

They can get HUGE! It would depend on the species. They don't grow all that fast. They can be bulldozers when they get bigger. They are herbivores, but have a powerful rasp. They will definitely eat your coralline. It's been said they can scratch acrylic.

 

[Devon93274]

Are you sure? When it fleed from my camera flash, it looked like one animal. I'll keep my eye out to see if it ever comes out again.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It's one animal. It would still look like one animal, just not that traditional oval shape.

 

[Devon93274]

They can get HUGE! It would depend on the species. They don't grow all that fast. They can be bulldozers when they get bigger. They are herbivores, but have a powerful rasp. They will definitely eat your coralline. It's been said they can scratch acrylic.

Thanks for the info. I'll look up some information on them. I appreciate the help.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Picture belongs to WWM.... this is the type you have. It could be a Cryptoplax larvaeformis.

 

[Devon93274]

Picture belongs to WWM.... this is the type you have.

What is the name if it?

 

[Tori]

Looks like a kraken to me...

 

[Lionfish Lair]

What is the name if it?

Oh sorry, I edited the name in there, but that won't help ya. Cryptoplax larvaeformis. Flexible Chiton. I'm not sure if there's more than one species or not that looks like that, but that name will help you Google search images.