Agu
Premium Member
Based on another thread, I have this worm.
"The only other large worm likely to be found in aquaria is the lysaretid polychaete Oenone fulgida. These animals are related the Eunicids, and, like them, possess jaws. They have three small antennae tucked in the groove between the two segments that make up the head, and a single dark eyespot may be visible on either side of the head.. Oenone fulgida has been reported to be circumtropical, and is quite variable for a single species. These studies date from the 1920s and it is quite likely that modern research, supplemented with genetic analyses, would show that what was thought to be one species eighty years ago is really several different species. The poorly studied nature of Oenone works against us, unfortunately, as it is relatively common in aquaria.
Whatever its status, animals that we presently refer to as Oenone fulgida may be easily recognized. As with the rest of the eunicid group, these worms lack the white tufts of setae characteristic of the fireworms. In fact these lysaretids tend to look relatively smooth, often without obvious appendages on their sides. This is an illusion, however, as they do have good appendages off of each side of each segment. The three antennae on the top of the head are small and often not visible, so the head looks smooth. In this particular case, color is a reasonably good characteristic to use in identification. Oenone individuals are typically orange, ranging from a dull, purplish orange to a brilliant blaze orange. They may be large worms, fully-grown adults often extend out of their burrows for two feet or more, and when fully extended they may be one quarter to one eighth of an inch in diameter. They typically live in burrows in rocks, but also may be found in tufts of algae or inside the water channels of large sponges. They are quite adept at detecting movement and will rapidly withdraw into their burrow if they are startled. Their withdrawal response, however, is not as rapid as that of Eunice individuals.
Oenone are nocturnal predators on snails and clams, and perhaps some other animals. They appear to extend from their burrow, and as they approach their prey they apparently secrete some mucus that covers the prey. This mucus may simply smother the prey, or it may contain some venom or narcotizing agent. After the prey is immobilized the worm extends a proboscis from the bottom of the head into the mucus and the jaws grasp the body of the prey. The jaws may also cut the attachments of the body to any shells, or alternatively the mucus may contain an agent that chemically severs the attachment. In any case, the prey's body is ingested. When the aquarist investigates the scene the next morning, all that typically remains is an empty snail or clam shell covered in a blob of mucus. Not many other predatory animals in marine aquaria typically leave behind such remains, consequently a dead, empty, shell covered with mucus is considered to be good evidence of the presence of an Oenone."
From, http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php
The rock it's in has been quarantined but I suspect I don't want that worm back in my tank?
"The only other large worm likely to be found in aquaria is the lysaretid polychaete Oenone fulgida. These animals are related the Eunicids, and, like them, possess jaws. They have three small antennae tucked in the groove between the two segments that make up the head, and a single dark eyespot may be visible on either side of the head.. Oenone fulgida has been reported to be circumtropical, and is quite variable for a single species. These studies date from the 1920s and it is quite likely that modern research, supplemented with genetic analyses, would show that what was thought to be one species eighty years ago is really several different species. The poorly studied nature of Oenone works against us, unfortunately, as it is relatively common in aquaria.
Whatever its status, animals that we presently refer to as Oenone fulgida may be easily recognized. As with the rest of the eunicid group, these worms lack the white tufts of setae characteristic of the fireworms. In fact these lysaretids tend to look relatively smooth, often without obvious appendages on their sides. This is an illusion, however, as they do have good appendages off of each side of each segment. The three antennae on the top of the head are small and often not visible, so the head looks smooth. In this particular case, color is a reasonably good characteristic to use in identification. Oenone individuals are typically orange, ranging from a dull, purplish orange to a brilliant blaze orange. They may be large worms, fully-grown adults often extend out of their burrows for two feet or more, and when fully extended they may be one quarter to one eighth of an inch in diameter. They typically live in burrows in rocks, but also may be found in tufts of algae or inside the water channels of large sponges. They are quite adept at detecting movement and will rapidly withdraw into their burrow if they are startled. Their withdrawal response, however, is not as rapid as that of Eunice individuals.
Oenone are nocturnal predators on snails and clams, and perhaps some other animals. They appear to extend from their burrow, and as they approach their prey they apparently secrete some mucus that covers the prey. This mucus may simply smother the prey, or it may contain some venom or narcotizing agent. After the prey is immobilized the worm extends a proboscis from the bottom of the head into the mucus and the jaws grasp the body of the prey. The jaws may also cut the attachments of the body to any shells, or alternatively the mucus may contain an agent that chemically severs the attachment. In any case, the prey's body is ingested. When the aquarist investigates the scene the next morning, all that typically remains is an empty snail or clam shell covered in a blob of mucus. Not many other predatory animals in marine aquaria typically leave behind such remains, consequently a dead, empty, shell covered with mucus is considered to be good evidence of the presence of an Oenone."
From, http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php
The rock it's in has been quarantined but I suspect I don't want that worm back in my tank?
