Strange flatworm

[RayWhisperer]

Cool pic of a flatworm in my tank. This one seems to be splitting. I said splitting, as in asexual reproduction. Not spitting, as in saliva.

 

Now my question. These aren't the typical flat worms I've always seen. These are whitish in color and somewhat translucent. Also, they are extremely tiny. I've only seen them on the acrylic, but that doesn't mean that's the only place they are. Besides, they'd be really hard to spot on corals, since they are so small. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Sorry, it's at work, so I could only take crappy cell phone pics.

 

 

I can tell you, it's not these.

 

 

I googled a bit and all I found was a hand drawn pic of a flatworm splitting along it's logitudinal axis.

 

So I guess it happens.

 

 

Everything I've found is a case of fission. A part of the worm breaks or splits off and develops into another worm in time. This appeared to be more akin to cellular division (like embryonic cells dividing). Granted, I was only seeing it by eye. However, within 30 minutes it had gone from a larger flatworm than the others, to what appeared to be, a 2 headed flatworm. Unfortunately, I had to leave. So, I never got to see the process complete.

 

I should also note. During the time it appeared to be splitting, all movement had stopped.

 

 

I want to be the first to say Ray is channeling Jer from beyond.

 

 

Thanks. You give me far too much credit. Jer would know what it is and what it's doing. He'd have written articles and such about it.

 

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=144729

 

 

Also, most likely asexual reproduction.

 

 

Thanks siwelk. Sounds about right. Hopefully they are only the scavenging variety.

 

I wonder why I didn't get that on my search? Probably because I didn't look beyond page 2.

 

 

As I said before. I found plenty of info on asexual reproduction in flatworms. However, it was all by fission. This was completely different. It looked like it was producing a fully developed clone of itself.

This is what I have so far. Also, I removed some of the back and fourth. I had to leave in the Jeremai comment. Just because it's Jeremai.

[mikeawesome]

kinda looks like stomella snails

[RayWhisperer]

It's a flatworm, without a doubt. Certainly not a stomatella. The others I've found are less than half this ones size. Like grain of sand size, fine grain of sand.

[montipora]

http://www.planarians.org/

 

Didn't really go through it too much but it might be a start in the right direction. Plus you can buy his T-shirts, Ray!

[Euphyllia]

Planaria are the bomb. You can like cut them up and they regrow.

[SA Fox Mulder]

You need Organic flatworm exit only treatment. Fast.

[mndfreeze]

Prazipro also kills flatworms, is safe for everything else, and also takes out flukes and some fish specific parasites.

[lakshwadeep]

There are some "clear acoel" flatworms that are harmless. I've had a few over the years; they seem to eat pods. (see bottom of link)

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html