Can you ID this worm for me?

[DOTZ]

I just found this big ugly grub looking thing in my sand bed as I was removing some to seed my pico. I have never seen a worm like this and can't find an ID on any ID sites. It's really creepy looking. Is it good or bad and what is it?

Here are some pics

 

[iamwhatiam52]

Looks more like a Holothurian, sea cucumber. Probably a harmless detritiore.

 

[DOTZ]

AHH man. I was kinda hoping it was bad, because I put it in a tube overnight in the tank till I found out what it was and it died.

Does anyone agree or disagree?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Looks like a filter feeding cuke to me. Dendrochirotida. they are harmless little guys. Basically suspension feeders.

 

[Elysia]

I agree with above, it is a sea cucumber -- a harmless detrivore that was providing a service in your tank. There is no problem with the "when in doubt, get it out" frame of mind, but you should always make provisions to keep the animal alive until you can get an accurate ID for it.

 

[pagojoe]

Yep, it's a holothurian. I'm with Elysia, I see ten times as many cases of people killing something benign or beneficial out of panic (or with the encouragement of the ignorant) as I see where people panicked and actually removed something harmful. I say "when in doubt, isolate it and identify it." There is almost nothing non-microscopic that you will find in a reef tank (with the possible exception of some of the sponges) that someone on this forum can't identify, at least to the family level.

Cheers,



Don

 

[DOTZ]

Okay, thanks. Too bad it died. I did try to isolate it. I put it in a sealed container in the tank overnight till I could find a ID. I didn't think it would die in it as we ship stuff like this for more time than over night. All well, atleast I know what it is in case I find another one.