Worm type thing maybe?

[paneubert]

I have seen something like this once in the forums. But nobody ever identified it. I actually didn't find it in my tank. It was in a drop of water that was on the black top rim of the tank. Don't know if he climbed out there or what, but I was surprised to see him up there. It is about the size, shape, and color of a grain of rice. It seems to use the narrow side to move around and grip things. The fat side is darker in color and just kind of follows behind the pointy end. There are no apparent propulsion mechanisms and it just kind of gets blown around in circles in my tank if it isnt attached to the wall or a rock. What is it?

 

[SnowManSnow]

dont let it get in your nasal cavity.

b

 

[Anonymous]

I think it's flat worms but that would definately be a David Mohr question.

 

[SnowManSnow]

Thats not like any flat worm ive ever seen 8O

 

[Anonymous]

It appears to be a juvenile of the genus Dendronotus a predatory nudibranch. They prey on soft corals. Hanging around the top of the tank is pretty much a dead give-a-way. If you see one there's bound to be eggsacs or adults somewhere in your tank. They multiply rapidly.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[paneubert]

Yippy skippy........ "Predatory" is always the term that I want to see in an identification post.
All I have is un-cured live rock in there so far. So I wouldn't be surprised if there are eggs in there somewhere that made it from Tonga to my tank. I will keep an eye out for any more or for this same guy if he gets bigger. I'm probably just going with a FOWLR tank once it cycles. Do I need to get rid of these guys or will they just kind of starve off when they figure out that there aren't any soft corals to eat in my tank?