Are eunice worms region specific?

[whorulz1147]

I've been wondering lately about where all these eunice worms are showing up from? Is there a specific live rock they are more likely to come in? Fiji, Bali, etc... Anyone who has had these worms want to chime in?

-al-

 

[32mm32]

Mine came in on Fiji rock

 

[LeslieH]

Eunicids occur in all of the world oceans. They form a major component of the polychaete fauna in coral reefs and many of them burrow in live rock so it's not surprising they're found so often in tanks.

 

[whorulz1147]

Thanks for chiming in, Leslie- I had a feeling they were worldwide. It just seems that 5 years or so ago, no one had any problems with them, and now they seem too be popping up everywhere. Maybe now that people are looking for them, people are finding them.

 

[LeslieH]

Could it be that live rock is handled differently now?

 

[whorulz1147]

Maybe it is collected from a different depth? Is there a certain level at which these worms are at a higher population density?

 

[LeslieH]

Maybe it is collected from a different depth? Is there a certain level at which these worms are at a higher population density?

No. Assuming there's a good settlement of juveniles then density depends on substrate, food availability, and competition. Depth won't matter.

Maybe it's just that people are more aware of them now as you suggested. Or maybe improved handling methods of LR from point of collecting to delivery have made the difference in how many hitch hikers survive.

Let's turn this discussion over to RC members -- how many long-term reefers (5+ years in the hobby) feel that live rock has more hitch hikers than it used to? It would be interesting to see if others have that impression.