Spaghetti Worm reproduction?

[Ben1287]

Is it possible for spaghetti worms to reproduce in captivity? If so what is the best way to go about getting them to do so?

 

[LeslieH]

Do you mean the ones with yellow tentacles in the sand or crevices? These are cirratulids. As long as they're alive & healthy they'll keep reproducing. Problem is, if they're putting out eggs & sperm into the water for fertilization & development your skimmer or other animals are likely to wipe any juveniles that result. On the other hand, many cirratulids reproduce asexually by splitting into pieces; each piece then regenerates the necessary missing bits. If your worms belong to one of these species then you'll soon have a large population of them.

Or do you mean terebellids - the ones with white tentacles? Nearly all of them broadcast sperm & eggs so these are less likely to successfully reproduce.

 

[Ben1287]

Sorry no scientific name or ID, they're the ones that look like feather duster worms, but alot smaller. They came in on my LR.

 

[Ben1287]

So I did a bit of reaserch (and feel like an idiot) and it turns out that they are terebellids. Does anyone sell these, or do I have to hope on an off-chance that i will get more in on live rock/live sand.

If I am trying to get a spawn from these are there any techniques to prompt this, and what is the best type of setup to reduce losses?

 

[gearqueer]

I have only seen them on LR and I have noticed that mine grow larger over time. There are some cool color variations. I have white ones and for a while I had a colony of bright red ones but the rock they were on had a bunch of zoos and I traded it.

 

[kevin2000]

Yes spagetti worms will reproduce in captivity. I received a few with a live sand transfer and now have more than I can count.

 

[romunov]

How about a pic. I'm not at ease that you have "terrible worms". :bigeyes:

 

[Ben1287]

Give me a couple of days and I'll post a pic.