Just found one of these in my tank

[ericdamangus]

This is a picture I found on the Internet with the closest resemblence to what I saw in my tank. I was feeding mysis and there was a stagnant piece on the bottom of a rock, I saw this worm slowing creeping his way out of a rock to get the piece. Once he saw me, he quickly retracted himself back to the rock. I waited a little while and he started to edge his way out again.

Is this bad? Can I get an ID? I have no idea how long mine is. I could only see the first inch or two, but it did seem to had the same diameter as the one pictured. Hopefully its not as big as the one in the pic tho!

 

[mr86mister]

Look up pictures of Bristle Worm. They are very common in saltwater aquariums. I hope that is what you have. I'm not familiar with the creature you posted. Though it looks really cool.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Eunicid worm. I would definitely try to get it out.

 

[Capt_Cully]

How big we talkin? Couple inches, or couple feet?

Bristle, good.
Eunecid, baaaaad!

 

[NirvanaFan]

Was it like the picture you posted above with the head tentacles, or were there no tentacles like this one?

http://www.nano-reef.com/invertebrates/images/bristleworm1.jpg
http://www.nano-reef.com/invertebrates/?id=4

If it has tentacles on it's head, take it out. If it does not have tentacles, then you probably want to leave it in. Try to post up a picture of yours if yours if you can.

 

[ericdamangus]

It 100% has the tentacles. That was the main reason I used that pic as the example. Any tips on getting it out? Its nasty looking, when I saw that pop out from under the rock I stared at my tank for an hour looking for more because I was hypnotized.

What I saw looked like the first 2 inches of the picture above. Same diameter. Not sure what was hidden in the rock. I've been trying to find him again but had no luck.

 

[Will Haider]

if it looked like that than its a eucnid and get it out asap:eek1:

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

It 100% has the tentacles. That was the main reason I used that pic as the example. Any tips on getting it out? Its nasty looking, when I saw that pop out from under the rock I stared at my tank for an hour looking for more because I was hypnotized.

What I saw looked like the first 2 inches of the picture above. Same diameter. Not sure what was hidden in the rock. I've been trying to find him again but had no luck.

do you have any other worms?

If so, are they similar or different looking than the one that you're describing here?

 

[ericdamangus]

do you have any other worms?

If so, are they similar or different looking than the one that you're describing here?

This is the first worm I have seen in one of my tanks since I started the hobby.


Since I only saw the first couple inches of it, I can't confirm that it was 100% identical to this. I only can confirm the face tentacles and a brownish stripe about an inch back from the head. Worst part is, its been two days and I can't find where its hiding.

 

[mr86mister]

Sorry we are trying to get an exact look of it for you. I'm sure you are frustrated as well to see it again. We are just trying to figure out if it is a simple bristle worm or a Eucnid which you really don't want crawling around in your system.

 

[ericdamangus]

Sorry we are trying to get an exact look of it for you. I'm sure you are frustrated as well to see it again. We are just trying to figure out if it is a simple bristle worm or a Eucnid which you really don't want crawling around in your system.

Sadly, it sounds like it is most likely a eucnid. I'm going to start looking up tips on catching it and properly disposing of it! :hammer: :uzi:

Nasty looking thing. If I can catch it, I will post pictures for an accurate ID.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

This is the first worm I have seen in one of my tanks since I started the hobby.

odds are extremely heavily in favor of it being a common "bristleworm"

 

[pascal32]

If you are sure that is what you have there are commercial or DIY traps, something like this might work: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1913372

What is the frequency of a pest like this making it into a tank?

 

[laxing22]

Here is a story - http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm

 

[TheRealRuk]

Look up a peanut worm... If it had a smooth body with the mouth "tentacles", It might be a peanut worm. Mine comes (1/2 way, never all the way) out at night and sifts the sand. He's very skittish... I use a red light to check out worms and critters at night. I don't believe peanut worms are bad.

Matt

 

[pscott99]

My bristleworm(s) just like in the previous link. My african flameback for size. About 2-3cm coming out a 1cm hole in live rock.

 

[MAVX]

Burn it with a torch, then soak it in bleach and burn it again.

 

[Willistein]

If it is a eunicid, a trap will not work. They apparently always leave their tails in their burrow, never fully exposing themselves. Steve Weast (Oregonreef.com) had to take a bunch of stuff apart to get his out.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1775803

 

[Jacwil]

Yea but I'd still try a trap first before ripping the tank apart...worth a try!

 

[Willistein]

Yea but I'd still try a trap first before ripping the tank apart...worth a try!

Definitely. Steve Weast found his in the PVC support pipes. I wonder if you could make a "trap" that consisted of 3/4" pipes, put them on the bottom under some rock, and waited it out for a month or so?