Free swimming hitchhiker - please ID

[jjencek]

I was surprise to see after my lights were out a numerous fast swimming critters in my tank. I would compare their swimming to fast snake like moves. They are from 5 mm to 15 mm.

I am attaching a photo. Please help me identify these.

 

[CrazeUK]

That's a bristle worm. You will probably find there are hundreds of them in your tank.

If your skin rubs them you'll end up getting a rash.

Only really come out at night.

I used to love catching them and putting them in a jar. They actually live really long even without heat etc.

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[jjencek]

That's a bristle worm. You will probably find there are hundreds of them in your tank.

I have bristle worms in all of my tanks, but they always just slowly crawl on the surfaces. I have never seen them free swimming.

Do young ones swim in the currents of the tank?

 

[CrazeUK]

Lol they definitely swim. I have seen quite a few do that.

https://youtu.be/8ICS_u3SkTw

Maybe it's an Epitoke.

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[Sugar Magnolia]

Epitokes, part of the reproductive cycle of polychaete worms. Harmless.

 

[jjencek]

Ok, that makes sense. Never seen it before and now I know. I thought after 3 years I knew everything. LOL.

Thanks.