A Flatworm(Rhabdocoela)-Solved

[HowardHopkinson]

I came across this flatworm this morning, I'm thinking its rhabdocoela?

[tabkiel]

Super uneducated guess here, as I am in no way a flatworm expert, but maybe Microstomum sp.? This worm looks a lot like Microstomum caudatum, but I couldn't find any videos of it moving, as it seems to do so very peculiarly and would certainly help in identification.

I hope this sets you on the right track!

~ Tenshi

[HowardHopkinson]

Thanks for your reply tabkiel, it's very much appreciated.

The worm was found in a water sample from my freshwater aquarium and rhabdocoela are fairly common in aquaria. I have done many searches on Google and it looks very much like rhabdocoela is what I found. Whatever it is, at least it's not a planarian thank goodness.

[actinophrys]

I think this might be a Stenostomum. I don't see the pharynx you would expect for Rhabdocoela, and it looks to be partly divided into two zoids. That is something you also see in Microstomum, but here I think you can just make out the ciliated pits characteristic of Stenostomum behind the front, which they use to sense their way around.

Lots of these little flatworms are common in aquaria. Planarians less so, but even they aren't actually harmful.

[HowardHopkinson]

Thank you so much actinophrys, I do believe you are correct. As far as I'm concerned, Google has confirmed your identification of Stenostomum.

This is why I love these forums and all the knowledgable folks here.

Off now to edit my video title.

Thanks again.

[Javier]

Well done, Howard!