Are these Worms; should I be concerned?

[CharlesL]

Hello,

I have noticed I have thousands of these worms (I think they are worms) in my 20 gallon salt water tank. I attached a picture.

Will you please let me know what these things are and if I should be concerned?

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[FormulatedFire]

Picture is kind of blurry...any chance you could get a better shot?

 

[victor_c3]

How long has the tank been set up? Judging from the look of the rock, it doesn't look like it has been that long.

Assuming that it is a young tank, I'd just let them run their course. They obviously bloomed because there is an excess of something that they like in your tank. I'd guess that they'll die off or reach a lower and more stable population as the tank matures.

As far as what they are, you got me. I can't really tell from the picture.

For what it is worth, many peoples' "knee-jerk" reaction is to kill something that they can't identify. From my experience, I've found that most worms and things that show up in our tanks are relatively harmless. Unless someone can absolutely tell you it is a pest, I'd say leave it be and see what happens. But that is just my take on things....

 

[Sk8r]

unless these worms we can't see resemble a centipede with 4-5 longish tentacles on the head, no worry. Eunicids [google it and get a pic] are the only likely 'bad' worm you'll see, and they do fine in the sump, not near fish.

 

[SushiGirl]

Pic is way too small to be able to tell.