Hitchhiking worm found on flowerpot

[J. Montgomery]

When I picked up a flowerpot coral a couple of weeks ago, I found a extremely thin, slightly translucent worm on it as I was acclimating the coral. I haven't been able to find a picture of it in order to identify what it was, and I was hoping that someone might know what it was. When I tried to pick it off, it dropped its body parts and I wasn't able to get it until I grabbed it near the head. It was probably <0.5mm diameter and a few inches long, and squishy. It wasn't a bristle, peanut or anything else that I've seen . . . any ideas? Thanks.

 

[John Kelly]

Did it have darker colored bands?

 

[J. Montgomery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8633047#post8633047 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by John Kelly
Did it have darker colored bands?

Yeah, it did have darker colored bands; it looked like some type of segmented worm. Though even the darker colored bands were still pretty pale/translucent. When I pulled the pieces out of the water and placed them on a paper towel they turned a light brown color.

 

[John Kelly]

It is another species of bristle worm. They are occasionally found meandering among the polyps of Goniopora and may have a commensal relationship with them. So far, they are considered harmless to the coral, but can maybe irritate the polyps in areas and cause them to retract.

 

[J. Montgomery]

Huh . . . cool.

Thanks John, when I spot the worm again I won't worry about it.