ID needed on a hitchhiker

[Kimdive]

I have just found a small red worm that has so many white bristles on it, it almost looks pink. It's about 5 millimeters long. It is on a rock, low to the sand.
Next to where I saw him, there is a collection of sand being made on the rock. From the center of the collection of sand, there is what I can only describe as 'spider webs' to pull bit's of sand up to it, they about 4cm long. My lights are on and I have only seen him once briefly. but I can see the sand being pulled up continually. I'm assuming they are connected, but I have no idea.
This is great to watch, but I'm a bit concerned it's a fire worm, due to it being red.
Any idea's?

 

[iamwhatiam52]

Can't really tell without a pic, but sounds like a bristle worm and a tiny spaghetti worm to me.
Good guys.

 

[Kimdive]

If this is just 1 spaghetti worm, then how come it has 20+ arm's all connecting to a central sandy point and lifting up more and more sand?.
The lights are out now and the small fleshy colored worm is right next to the collection of sand.
It has has to be a nest being made by the bristle worm, if it is a bristle worm that is.
I will try to get a photo of it tomorrow, that's if the macro can handle it, it's so small.

 

[gemmasicolo]

I just witnessed the same thing! I came straight to the forum and clicked on your thread and almost had a heartattack that the first thing I click on described exactly what I just saw. (This is happening a lot latetly, I love this site, lol)

The worm i just saw next to the spaghetti and pile of sand was dark in color and had red on the tip. I just saw a bunch of threads that found the same worm and it seems to be a Ucerin worm. Of course i tried to catch him but as soon as the lights went on it dissappeared in the sand. Now i'm waiting for him to come out again.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

More info about spaghetti (terebellid) worms. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rs/index.php

 

[Kimdive]

I have no witnessed a small hole above the rock which chucks out sand occasionally.
No idea if it's a connecting tunnel, but pretty cool to watch

 

[gemmasicolo]

Kim, I'm seeing the same thing. Actually it's more like a little tube that comes out of the rock or sand and shoots out some white stuff. I wonder if all these things are related even though they are 3 different animals.

 

[Kimdive]

Who need's fish when you have all these strange creatures! I had a slug hitchhiker once, but haven't seen him now for 4 month's, but maybe maybe he is still in the rocks somewhere?