Finding worms all over my tank. Is this a concern? Images attached.

[new_reef_friend]

I had noticed a few pinkish worms on my rocks and didn't think much of it but now I'm finding them all over the sand bed. Are these the same species? Is there any concern? Sorry for the second image, some of the worms are pretty small.

 

[heathlindner25]

I would be more worried about the hair algae

 

[new_reef_friend]

heathlindner25,

Thanks for the feedback. I have been working on solving the algae issue. The hair algae has reduced significantly from a few weeks ago when I added a media filter. Although, now that the hair algae is receding I'm finding deep red algae on the rocks. But you don't believe those worms in the sand bed would pose any problems? I'm still new to reef tanks so my ID skills are not polished yet. Thanks again!

 

[Reefbuoy]

Looks like common bristle worms. Numbers depend on available food and predators like wrasses.

 

[homer1475]

Looks like common bristle worms. Numbers depend on available food and predators like wrasses.

+1

Common bristle worm and a great part of your CUC. Some people don't like them and take extreme measure to eradicate them. I personally like some diversified microfauna. Their numbers tend to self regulate in that the more excess food they have to cleanup, the more of them you get.

 

[CafeReef]

second picture looks more like a micro brittle star, than a bristle worm

 

[Sk8r]

Almost all worms are good; bad ones are rare and you'll probably never see one personally; most non-hermit crabs are bad; brittle stars are all good, but the green serpent star eats fish; little anemones are not good (aiptasia or mojanos); and slugs are sometimes bad; a slug with a shell on its back like a saddle is very good.

 

[heathlindner25]

All this is good information.

 

[jayball]

heathlindner25,

Thanks for the feedback. I have been working on solving the algae issue. The hair algae has reduced significantly from a few weeks ago when I added a media filter. Although, now that the hair algae is receding I'm finding deep red algae on the rocks. But you don't believe those worms in the sand bed would pose any problems? I'm still new to reef tanks so my ID skills are not polished yet. Thanks again!

That is likely cyano, right after hair algae dies off it will often follow. Reducing feeding will help with your algae/cyano issue and your excess of bristle worms.

* I am also in the camp that bristle worms are good, as long as their numbers are moderated.

 

[ca1ore]

Live rock contains a surprising number of works and stars. I transferred a couple of small pieces into my son's nano tank and at lights off counted seven 3" plus bristles, and four mini stars.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

I'm in the anti bristle worm camp. When you pull one out that measures 18+", you might change your mind.

It was apparently in the hole where my dart fish used to live when she darted in the hole. She was covered in spines and suffered a slow death over the next few days.

So just because an 18" worm might not go after a fish, doesn't mean it can't kill it.