Notes on Pontobdella Muricata

Extract

A Pontobdella lived in my tanks for about six months of the present year. I first placed it in a wide shallow tank with a variety of Actiniæ and a few Hermit Crabs, but no fish of any sort. When first introduced the leech was very restless, and wandered all over the tank. After a day or so, however, he took up his abode on the glass, close to the surface. He remained in this spot about three months, and if disturbed would always go back to it. He never noticed any of the other animals, and did not appear in the least sensitive to the stinging power of the tentacles of the Actiniæ. I have frequently seen him plunge his head and neck in amongst the tentacles of a large Anthea cereus who lived near him, and he treated T. crassicornis with a like disrespect.

So soon as the weather grew warm, the leech displayed signs of uneasiness, and finally left his place on the glass, and retired to a cool corner formed by the slate back and side of the tank, close to the syphons of the aerating apparatus, where he remained two months and a half.

He never appeared to notice sticks or nets moving near him in the water, but would remain in his usual position, viz., the base fixed to the wall of the tank, the body sticking out horizontally for about half its length, and the fore part doubled under, so that the mouth was pressed against the under side.