ID Anyone??

[nUgZ]

I posted this in the Reef Discussion thread but haven't gotten much response. I spotted something strange sticking out of some LR. Not sure what it was I tried to get it with tweezers but it retreated inside the rock. I thought it would stay in for sure but soon afterwards it started venturing out further. It appears to be using its tentacles to feed off of the rock. Any help would be great.

 

[kmk2307]

Are the tentacles very flexible or are they rigid? Are they fully extended in that picture? Approx. how long are they? If you get a clearer picture, that would help. My guess now is some sort of sessile polychaete worm.

HTH,
Kevin

 

[nUgZ]

I took a good number of pics and that was the best so far. The tentacles are quite flexible and mobile. Almost like fingers picking at the rocks. They do entend out slightly further and also retract completely.

 

[kmk2307]

Do they roll up or contract or are they just pulled into the rock?

 

[nUgZ]

They roll around while picking at the rock. If I bump the stand or tank they pull into the rock completely. Doesn't take him very long to come back out though. I'm trying to get a better pic. He's not wanting to come out as far as he does sometimes.

 

[nUgZ]

I don't know what is wrong with me this morning but I can't get a good shot to save my life. Here are a few with the suspect in different poses. Thanks for the help. EDIT: NEW PHOTOS COMING

 

[nUgZ]

A couple more shots.

In these two shots you can see it using one of its tentacles to pick at the rock above.

Hopefully I will get some ultra-clear shots later today.

 

[LeslieH]

Those are the feeding tentacles of a cirratulid polychaete worm probably in the genus Dodecaceria. Unlike other cirratulids (reefers call them hair worms) which may have hundreds of feeding tentacles members of this genus have less than 10 pairs. These also prefer living in rock burrows than in sand or mud. They do pick up particulates from the surrounding rock or pcik them out of the water if there's a strong current.

 

[nUgZ]

Leslie you are a genius. Many thanks. Is is OK to have in my reef or will it pose a threat??

 

[romunov]

Many have been spotted exiting a tank and engulfing entire families.

 

[seahorsedreams]

LOL. Too funny.

 

[SuperNerd]

How might one get one of those?

 

[LeslieH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8098278#post8098278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by romunov
Many have been spotted exiting a tank and engulfing entire families.

Romunov - Rent the movie "Squirm" if you can. You'll love it. Worm haters however should avoid this movie as it will confirm your deepest fears about man-eating worms! :lol:

Dodecaceria & other cirratulids are harmless & beneficial. I think the only way to get a Dodecaceria is to get lucky with some live rock. Sand dwelling cirratulids are available from some LFS either separately or as part of detritivore kits.