Just checking if this polychaete is safe...

[BlennyBabe]

Found this big guy in my tank after I fed some mysis. He looks like most of the bristle worms I have seen as far as shape goes, but his color and his septae are a little different. Plus he has this weird thing on his head that I havent seen before.

Here are some pictures of him:
<img src="http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/3240/worm3ko2.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />
<img src="http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/7885/worm2iu2.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />
<img src="http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/949/worm1zy4.jpg" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

He is darker and has yellow at the base of his septae. Im pretty sure he is harmless, because no damage has been done to any of the fish or corals in the tank, but I thought I would make sure. Obviously he is doing well and is about 9 inches long and as big around as my finger.

 

[LeslieH]

This is the amphinomid fireworm Pherecardia striata. These guys are scavengers & predators on small worms, crustaceans, etc. They don't eat coral. The head looks a little odd but it might be regenerating. The weird thing on his head is a caruncle. This is a sensory organ than allows the worm to find food. All genera of amphinomids except one have caruncles, and in fact the size & shape of the caruncle is a useful character for separating genera.

 

[BlennyBabe]

Thanks so much! I wondered why he was the only worm in the tank. Thanks again.

 

[hogpark7430]

I don't think I would sleep in the same house as that.