Is this a chiton or ?

[waterwerkz]

We're really quite interested in knowing what this guy is - friend or foe-wise (the one at the end of the skewer). He arrived with a load of 'gift live sand' from our tank supplier after our new 45G split down the back. But that's a story for another day.

What do we know?
He color matches to his habitat as he is exactly the same color as the rock he lives on. Great camouflage
For three months he has occupied the same area of the same rock. So we assume he's not much of a mover. When moving he is verrrrrryyyyy slow. Almost impossible to see the movement. Best to look away for a few minutes and then you can tell that he has moved.
Scales/plates? None as he appears to be soft.

So if we can id. and he is a friend, what does he eat? I am concerned that he may be slowly starving because I think he might be smaller now than when we first saw him.

As ever, any info is much appreciated.


Also the little polyp-y guy at the right bottom corner - aiptasia or ?

Thanks ever so much

amg

 

[hdtran]

Sure looks like a chiton to me, next to a pretty looking button polyp. Chitons are harmless mollusks (molluscs?) as far as I'm concerned.

 

[waterwerkz]

If this indeed is a tropical chiton, do you know his diet. I would like to stop his shrinking.

thanks
amg

 

[Anonymous]

That's a chiton all right. If you count carefully you'll see 8 plates on its back. They graze all different types of algae on rock. I doubt there's much you can do to directly feed it--it should have plenty to eat on the rocks.

The polyp does look like Aiptasia.

 

[hdtran]

I doubt that lower right corner polyp is the dreaded Aiptasia; tentacles don't look long enough. Try to get a closer shot of that, and check out some of wetwebmedia's photos of the Dreaded Aiptasia Anemone. Lower right corner looks like a baby version of cute polyp next to the alleged chiton.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree it could be something besides Aiptasia, but not that it's the same thing as the other polyp. Aiptasia can have stubby tentacles like that for lots of reasons...if it's been disturbed, for instance. A closer shot could confirm it.

 

[Anonymous]

agree with Matt..there are several type of aiptasia that make it into the home aquaria...they just all fall under the common name aiptasia...