fire worm

[mystery_reef]

any suggestions on how to take care of a fire worm and what kind of damage they actually do to a reef? i spotted a big one the other day but its in the back of the tank.

 

[graveyardworm]

Depends on the species of fireworm, some are detritus eaters, some eat carrion ( rotting flesh ),and some eat corals. The majority of the common ones are beneficial and eat only carrion and detritus. For the most part they require no special feeding, and their population will wax and wane with the amount of available food. If you can post a pic we can work on an id.

Here's an article Polychaete Annelid Identification, or
“You Can Always Tell A Bristle Worm…

and another.

The Large Worm Turns…

 

[mystery_reef]

i luckily lured him out and got him by the head with plyers so the rest of him followed without breaking. he's about 15in long and similar to a centipede darkish brown with the little spikes coming out his sides as well as a ton of little feathery things out the sides.

 

[graveyardworm]

Got a picture?