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Hirudineans, Leech Identification FAQs
Related FAQs: Worm Diversity FAQs,
FAQs 2, FAQs
3, &
Worm IDs 1,
Worm IDs 2, Worm
IDs 3, Worm IDs 4,
Worm IDs 5, Worm
IDs 6, Worm IDs 7,
Worm IDs 8, & Worm ID FAQs by
Group/Phylum:
Flatworm Identification ID,
Nemertean, Proboscis, Ribbon Worm ID,
Nematode, Roundworm ID,
Nematomorpha, Horsehair
Worm ID,
Acanthocephalans, Thorny-headed Worm ID, Polychaete
Identification, Polychaete ID 2,
Tubeworm
ID, Sipunculids, Peanut Worm ID,
Echiuran Worm ID,
Related Articles: Worms, Polychaetes,
Flatworms/Planaria,
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Mmm, two suckers (attachment organs), one at either end... segmented? Yep...
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Flat worms or Leeches?
Hello,
<Good evening>
I've been looking on your site to try to identify these guys in my
tank. I
just started a new tank (without the fish), just gravel and water and
your
basic starter bacteria for fresh water.
After about 5 days I've found two life forms. One was (now dead)
swimming like
a ribbon with up and down movements along its body (about 3 inches
long).
They are flat, thin and dark brown.
<Does sound like a flatworm>
The other is smaller (about 1 inch) and
has attached itself to the glass with one end and wiggling around like
its
looking for something with the other end.
<Sounds like a leech, hirudinean>
The tank had fish in it for 4 months before, was drained about 90% with
gravel, and then set aside for 2 weeks. The tank was washed with water
and
sponge (no soap), but the gravel was not cleaned from the previous use.
What are they, do I need to get rid of them, if so how?
Thanks, much appreciated, love your site!!!
Tommy
<Could be as stated... not so sure that I'd go to extraordinary measures
to kill or remove them though... Likely will disappear on their own...
and not bother your livestock. Bob Fenner> |
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Hitch hiker ID Please?
Folks,
<Howdy>
The attached picture is of a "creature" that I found in my new
75 gallon
reef tank.
<No file attached>
The tank is cycling with live rock only at this time. There
are a few smallish crabs and snails and whatnot that came in on the live
rock; no harm done. However, I found this "thing"
crawling around on the
DSB yesterday. It moves like an inchworm, attaching to surfaces
with its
mouth and pulling itself into a bell curve before attaching with its tail
and so on. The scary thing is that the oral opening looks A LOT
like a
lamprey. Unlike lamprey, it has a suction cup like tail as
well.
<Ah ha! (imagine best Sherlock Holmes impression). Does sound like a
leech>
I've posted on many boards and everyone seems stumped. I was
wondering if
you could help. I do have SOME time as the tank is cycling. However,
I
don't want to lose track of it, or "let it be" if it is harmful.
<I'd remove this animal>
I'd sure
be upset if I found it one day attached to and sucking the life out of my
clowns or Dottyback! Thank you in advance,
David
PS. I've read the Reef Invert book from cover to cover and am
on round
two. It's a great resource and is extremely entertaining in
that "Fenner, Calfo, WWM" way.
<Mmm, sometimes predictability is fine. Bob Fenner> |
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Re: Hitch hiker ID Please?
Boy it's been a long week ;) Sorry. Picture is now attached.
<D>
<Much more definitely a leech. Again, I'd give it the heave-ho. All
hirudineans are parasitic... Bob Fenner> |
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