GroktheCube
New member
During a flashlight hunt tonight, I spotted a worm that I'm pretty sure is either a Nereid or a Eunicid, but I'm not sure which, and I can't seem to find many clear guidelines on how to tell them apart. It dark brown and checkered on the body, with a lighter colored ring separating the head, which had two elongated spots that gave the appearance of eyes. At least four tentacles projecting almost straight forward. No visible white bristles, only short nubs.
Oddly enough, it seemed to be eating large grains of sand. It would come up out of its under-sand burrow, creep along the bottom, open up its face predator style to reveal two very nasty looking long, curved, black "fangs" somewhat reminiscent of tarantula fangs if anyone is familiar with their appearance. It would then grab a large piece of sand with these fangs, shove it down its mouth, and retreat rapidly backwards into its burrow, only to come out again 30 seconds or so later.
I'm not too worried about it, more curious than anything. Its burrow is right next to a large, thriving colony of zoas, so I'm sure that if it wanted to munch on things it shouldn't, they'd be long gone by now. Does seem a bit odd that it would have such predatory looking jaws for eating sand though.
Oddly enough, it seemed to be eating large grains of sand. It would come up out of its under-sand burrow, creep along the bottom, open up its face predator style to reveal two very nasty looking long, curved, black "fangs" somewhat reminiscent of tarantula fangs if anyone is familiar with their appearance. It would then grab a large piece of sand with these fangs, shove it down its mouth, and retreat rapidly backwards into its burrow, only to come out again 30 seconds or so later.
I'm not too worried about it, more curious than anything. Its burrow is right next to a large, thriving colony of zoas, so I'm sure that if it wanted to munch on things it shouldn't, they'd be long gone by now. Does seem a bit odd that it would have such predatory looking jaws for eating sand though.
