ID Please

[billsreef]

Nice worms Debi

Most bristle worms that you come across in the aquarium are harmless scavengers. However, the bristles can cause allergic reactions on contact with our skin. As a result, it's best to avoid direct contact with them, wear surgical gloves if you need to handle them. BTW it's an allergy that can also be acquired from repeated exposure.

 

[Pandora]

Can't think of anything to say about worms... still a little speechless to see Debi outside the lounge...:eek2:

 

[dc]

This one doesn't have bristles, but it's been in my tank for almost 5 years. I've seen 2' of him, but never the whole worm. He's my favorite!

 

[dc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6589084#post6589084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pandora
Can't think of anything to say about worms... still a little speechless to see Debi outside the lounge...:eek2:

Hey now don't be picking on me! Compare our post counts and you'll see I've ventured out of the lounge on more than one occassion. :lol: Want to see more worms?

 

[billsreef]

That's a long worm

I've got some that I've seen stretch the better part of a 55 at night, and still not seen the other end :eek1:

 

[bertoni]

Okay, let's get some terms defined.

In biology, "bristleworm" covers polychaete annelids, which is a very broad category. "Fireworms" are a subset of bristleworms with calcium spikes that contain toxins.

Many bristleworms are safe to have. On the other hand, some eat fish, some eat corals, and there are other varieties. So seeing a bristleworm eat a coral is rare in our tanks, but definitely happens.

All but one species of the fireworms are safe in our tanks. The small worm in the first picture looks like Eurythoe complanata, but species identification is really beyond me. In any case, that worm is a fireworm, and thus is a bristleworm. It's quite safe, and sold by many vendors in their detritivore kits.

Cuts, scrapes, bacteria, and venoms are quite common in a reef tank if you're not wearing gloves. I would recommend gloves when working in the water, especially near animals.

ReefKeeping.com has some articles that go into details about worms. Here's one:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php

 

[Mrs.kbmdale]

HOLY COW, Debi!!! That thing is sooo long, I wouldn't mind having that one though, it's kinda cute! :lol:


Bertoni, Thankyou for clearing that up, so I was wrong, it IS a fireworm, just the safe kind. I have been searching for that link you posted every night this week, with out success, so thankyou for that too!

Brianna:rollface:

 

[Kreeger1]

Here's a odd picture of the worm that ate steve weast soft corals

It just kept growing and growing.
I can't seem to find the worm that eats zoos this morning but I'll find tha one to soon
Erik