Funny alien

[CalciumReef]

Was observing tank at 4+am with torch and saw this alien.On first observation, thought it was some kind of flatworm.Decided to remove it.Used tweezers to try to remove it as it was inaccessible by hand,discovered that it has a very hard shell.And despite trying to pull it off the Lr at full force, it refuses to bulge!!After many unsuccessful attempts,decided to do it the hard way.Positioned one side of the tweezer on the hard shell and pushed down with body weight.But On 2nd attempt then it went thru as the shell was real hard.Immediately, white fluffy stuff oozed out.Tried to pull it out again but still unsuccessful.Tried poking again.More white stuff ooze out..Finally it lost grip.Managed to pull the alien out.No idea what it is,can anyone idenify it??Took pictures of it but hard to get a good shot.How it looks like underneath the shell.

[CalciumReef]

Top view Orangy part is the hole

[CalciumReef]

A rough sketch of how it looks like...Moves around like a flatworm...but has a hard shell.Treat the sketch as a sideview as the shell looks like triangular shaped when view from the back.

[CalciumReef]

Anyone can identify it?

[AREA51]

chiton?

[CalciumReef]

Hi i think you are right

Some findings

[CalciumReef]

Habitat: Sheltered rocky shores; low intertidal

Distribution: Southeastern Tasmania and New Zealand

Maximum Size: Length to 30 mm

Diet: Encrusting plants and animals

Comments: Thought to have been introduced from New Zealand in the early Twentieth century. This is now the most conspicuous chiton on intertidal shores in southeastern Tasmania.

This chiton can move rapidly when disturbed and will sometimes drop and curl into a ball. Chitons are found very commonly on the local foreshore. These are a type of sea snail with eight parts to the shell, hence often called Eight Part Shells. They look a bit like a slater, with the muscular foot underneath tightly gripping the rocks. This makes picking them up VERY difficult. Chitons use a radula (which is stronger than your average kitchen knife) to scrape encrusting plants and animals off the rocks.

[CalciumReef]

A link for more reading.

Chiton

Conclusion:Could be a friendly resident or a pest.

[Dazza]

yes its chiton... keep it ..... ML sell it b4

[CalciumReef]

Too late.....smashed by my tweezers.. Wonder where it came from.Cannot be a hitch hiker for sure.