Bristleworm spawning/reproduction

[BigRedSpecial]

Today while cleaning my tank, I noticed my largest bristleworm (about 6".. huge for a 10g tank!) exploring the top of the rock, extremely odd behavior for this guy. after a few minuted of this, he extended about 1.5 inches off the rock and started spewing(my GF's word, not mine) something that I would guess to be sperm/spawn.

I had no idea worms reproduced this way; I thought it was solely by means of budding or direct contact. Was he trying to reproduce, or something else?

 

[mastou]

I have also had bristleworms spawn, in my case they all did it at the same time both in my main aquarium and in my refugium (see links below).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-wP-kZM2aw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1PjJbR9zos

/Magnus

 

[BigRedSpecial]

That's it, exactly what mine did, including the little dance leading up to it. Oddly enough, only one worm did it though.

 

[Pea-brain]

I always thought they spawned either like earthworms with sperm packets or by splitting. I've never seen my do that, but I have tons.

Dan

 

[BigRedSpecial]

That's what I thought as well, and I've never read anything to suggest differently.

Does anyone know if this in fact spawning?

 

[greenbean36191]

Yes, what you saw was spawning. Most polychaetes are broadcast spawners. A few can reproduce asexually, but very few come together to trade eggs or sperm.

 

[BigRedSpecial]

Thanks for the reply, I haven't read that anywhere; cool to know!