Nightmare worm ID

[someguynamedG]

Its not your standard bristle or fireworm. It came in as a hitchhiker on some Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock I used to start my tank 8 months ago. Super active scavenger that is now too big to ignore, probably 24 inches, but I only see around 8-10 inches at a time. I'm kind of shocked he hasn't taken down any sleeping fish yet. I haven't seen him actively hunt anything, but the number of dead CUC scattered around makes him too suspect to live. I'm going to try and use a PVC trap on him later today, and I would love to know WTF he is before he no longer haunts my nightmares.

https://imgur.com/a/qMK1zlO

 

[wvned]

That is cool and I would set up a small tank just to keep it. I have no idea what it is.

 

[Uncle99]

Looks like bobbit worm to me.
If so, is predatory.
Bad guy.

 

[griss]

Bobbit Worm

Here’s a post by @Anemone talking about them. Given its appearance and the dead CUC, I’m pretty sure that’s what you have.

 

[griss]

Looks like bobbit worm to me.
If so, is predatory.

Jinx

 

[HumbleFish]

I believe that's some type of Eunicid worm.

Look here: Worm Hitch Hikers

 

[someguynamedG]

Looks like bobbit worm to me.
If so, is predatory.
Bad guy.

Yeah I'm mostly trying to figure out the specific type so I can determine its regeneration. Some polychaete worms can regrow their heads (though often without complex organs like eyes), while some can only regrow tails. If I don't need it out entirely whole, then I can lure it between some scissors and just lop it in half. I'm really doubtful I'll be able to get it out of a rock whole, without removing the entire rock and taking a hammer to it.

 

[HumbleFish]

Yeah I'm mostly trying to figure out the specific type so I can determine its regeneration. Some polychaete worms can regrow their heads (though often without complex organs like eyes), while some can only regrow tails. If I don't need it out entirely whole, then I can lure it between some scissors and just lop it in half. I'm really doubtful I'll be able to get it out of a rock whole, without removing the entire rock and taking a hammer to it.

Bait it

 

[someguynamedG]

Bait it

I did that, no dice. I tried the bristleworm 3D printed traps too. I'm going to try a PVC trap with a trapdoor I can close with fishing line so even if he doesn't go all the way in, I can still get him caught.

 

[Anemone]

Definitely a Bobbit. No bueno for your tank if you intend on keeping certain corals or snails.

The bottle trap is an effective method to draw the Bobbit out. Good luck!

Kevin