ID hitchhikers plz

[ladyfsu]

Can you tell me what these things are on my live rock before I add them to my tank? I've never had bristle worms that I know of (though I'm sure I do) so I don't know if this is one and what kind. Also, the second pic seem to be polyps but what????

it.

If you know any info on them too I'd appreciate

 

[afelder]

The top pic is definitely a bristleworm. Not sure what kind. Where did you get your live rock? The polyps look like the tube corals that you see from aquacultured rock from Florida. If they are the tube coral they are filter feeders. Sorry I coundn't help more but if you give some more specifics others may be able to id better.


Ariel

ps isn't good live rock wonderful you never know what you will get

 

[ladyfsu]

I have been switching my "plasticky" awful fish only to a reef tank...and I love all the inverts more than ANYTHING!! I'm COMPLETELY addicted to good live rock I just don't know what the heck I have

That's good info, thanks....ok so some type of corals and bristle we think. That's good. More info from anyone plz? TY!


edit....oh yeah...should I add the worm to the tank? I have a refugium; shoud he go in there? or should he go on the end of a hook plz let me know

 

[jaymz101]

It doesnt look like a fireworm to me but definately a Polychaete worm (bristleworm). Id put in refuge 'till someone can ID though. Most polychaetes are reef safe but there are some nasty buggers out there that can decimate reef tanks.

The second pic looks like zooanthids (colony polyps) At least thats what mine look like when they are closed for lights out. I love 'em, cool it 'o' color for the rock and they will spread if left to their own devices. Cant tell for sure untill they open up though but Id say go ahead and put it in the show tank.

Im sure someone out there can post a few pics of open zoos and tube corals to help you ID.

 

[jaymz101]

where'd you get your rock? Looks nice.

 

[ladyfsu]

The corals are opening up and look nice.

I got the rock at Aquatic Visions in New Port Richey. It's only 10 minutes from my house (I can't believe I didn't even know it existed) and they have the most amazing live rock.

I always get emerald or porcelain crabs, zillions of brittle stars, cucumbers, tube worms, xmas tree worms, sponges, corals, etc. I know some people don't like some of that stuff, but I don't house any expensive corals and I just love critters crawling in my tank!

 

[mastou]

Try to read this thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=849382

I posted some links about Polychaete worms

/Magnus

 

[ladyfsu]

THANKS MASTOU!! I will read that tomorrow during my last day of having classes (we never have students show up last day).

OK ... here are these polyp dudes in a better view. I picked this rock because I wanted the macro for the fuge...then I found such a lovely suprise . Here is one of the colonies, and then the next is a single polyp I accidently ripped off but it managed to either cling on or find a nice little hole to fall in.

Please ID! I'm clueless!

If anyone can give me a semi-decent ID on this or the worm (maybe I'll learn the worm in my readings tomorrow) I'd really appreciate it. THANX!

 

[myakkareef]

Hey there Lady, Worm is deffinetly a Brisstle Worm. Fine for tank or sump/fuge. They will stir the sand, eat any remaining foods and clean up any dying inhabitants. In the fuge they will reproduce quite rapidly. The polyps look like some kind of zoa there is a way to tell by how many pettles they have...Hope all is well..

 

[robthorn]

like bristleworms all you want but they can sometimes be dangerous as far as stinging you when you least expect it and reproducing to plague levels if there is no predator for them. I say toss it but I like a clean tank. the coral appears to be what is called sea mat . I am not sure what species but here is a link about them.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1/blane-zoanthids/zoanthids.htm

 

[jaymz101]

Only fire worms will sting. Not all bristle worms are bad. Basically there are three types, polyp eaters (bad), detritus eaters (good), and infauna eaters (eats other worms and such in the sand bed and rock). Fire worms are the former, they usually have tufts of white bristles and can deliver a nice sting to the unwary.

Your worm doesnt seem to have the tufts see here. http://www.unep-wcmc.org/marine/coraldis/cd/I/wbd_wormslrg.jpg

the polyps are definately zooanthids (colony polyps, sea mats, etc.) some folks dont like them, but I do. They will readily reproduce and grow to cover some of your rocks as long as theyre needs are met. robthorn's link is a good source for them.

 

[ladyfsu]

The worm is in the fuge!

The zooanthids are looking PRETTY

Thank you so much for the information.

 

[oceana]

BTW . see all that junk thats around the polyps? IE dead algeas and such. pick and of blow all that away. take a very soft toothbrush and gently bursh in and around the polyps. dont worry you wont hurt them just dont go crazy with the brush.

this will help ensure they dont get any fungus. and will help them to spread and open faster

 

[LeslieH]

The worm is a polychaete in the family Nereididae. Some species are herbivores, some are carnivores, others will scavenge but most are opportunistic and will eat anything. If they're well fed they won't bother your sessile inverts.