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Hirudineans, Leeches
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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A Hirudinean? RMF.
