I was doing my biweekly water change yesterday, and I put my outflow tube up into a corner that I normally use, as the pump I use to add the water has a fairly strong flow rate, and I don't like stirring up the whole tank every time I do a change.
Anyway, when I did, a 'blob' that was flat, about an inch and a half long, and 3/4 of an inch wide scooted forward. It was shaped like an oval and had no shell. It was wedged in the corner between the back of my tank and the overflow. When the water hit it, it moved fairly rapidly forward about an inch and a half in less that two seconds, using what appeared to be rectilinear motion. I was not able to get a pic, as it was in an awkward spot for my cell phone, but I was hoping that an ID would be possible based on my description. I teach Zoology, and have a pretty good knowledge of animals, but this one is just not known to me. My first assumption was some form of mollusc, (also mollusk), but I would not be thorough if I didn't at least look into the idea of a platyhelminth or an annelid. The problem is I can't nail down a family it might belong to, or even which phylum, let alone something as specific as a genus.
Not only is my scientific curiosity piqued, I need to know whether this is a 'good guy' or a 'bad guy', as far as my tank is concerned. Any ideas?
Anyway, when I did, a 'blob' that was flat, about an inch and a half long, and 3/4 of an inch wide scooted forward. It was shaped like an oval and had no shell. It was wedged in the corner between the back of my tank and the overflow. When the water hit it, it moved fairly rapidly forward about an inch and a half in less that two seconds, using what appeared to be rectilinear motion. I was not able to get a pic, as it was in an awkward spot for my cell phone, but I was hoping that an ID would be possible based on my description. I teach Zoology, and have a pretty good knowledge of animals, but this one is just not known to me. My first assumption was some form of mollusc, (also mollusk), but I would not be thorough if I didn't at least look into the idea of a platyhelminth or an annelid. The problem is I can't nail down a family it might belong to, or even which phylum, let alone something as specific as a genus.
Not only is my scientific curiosity piqued, I need to know whether this is a 'good guy' or a 'bad guy', as far as my tank is concerned. Any ideas?
