Can Anyone Tell Me What This Is?

[Hathaway]

After putting in some plants I noticed this guy on the glass. Any idea what it is, and whether I should remove it?

 

[Akasha72]

eww ... looks like a leech. Remove definitely but do it carefully - ie try not to touch it in case it is a leech

 

[Baccus]

It certainly looks like a leech, it may show no interest in you since some loaches are host specific but it may view any fish and snails you have as a handy snack. I have even found leeches on shrimp.
Best remove it and kill it since you can not be sure where it came from and if it has the potential to become a pest or if its harbouring any diseases your local wildlife are not accustomed to.

 

[Akasha72]

yes, should have said ... kill it when you've removed it. Not sure how you do this (if it were me I'd be squishing it with a hammer or suchlike!) google might be your friend there

 

[sawickib]

Salt and a bowl should do the trick lol

 

[Baccus]

Actually salt works really well for killing them, I have even used a salt wash to remove leeches off wild caught shrimp

 

[Hathaway]

Well I removed it as a precaution yesterday (glad I did now) and put it in a container with water. Guess salt it is then. Hopefully he was the only stowaway.

 

[Baccus]

Leeches do lay eggs on plants, but by its size I would say it was full grown, just keep an eye out in case it had the opportunity to lay eggs I your tank.