Strange Bugs need Identification!

[Dark_Reef]

I noticed these guys in my 150 Reef tonight.

The light colored one is about .5 cm and the black on is about 1 cm.

Their are tons of them and I have not noticed them during the day.

Also, they have NO problem swimming in medium flow.

 

[AJSTITAN14]

Epitokes mebbi?

 

[LeslieH]

Yup, epitokes produced by polychaetes in the family Syllidae, subfamily Eusyllidae. Both are actually translucent white in color; the dark color is eggs and the light one is carrying sperm. As these particular types of syllids mature their posterior ends start to modify. The normal setae (= bristles) drop off & are replaced by ones with paddle-shaped blades, a second pair of eyes develops, and as the animal produces eggs or sperm it gets stored in that region. Under the right conditions the posterior ends with eyes will break off & swim up into the water. They shed the eggs & sperm into the water then die.

 

[Dark_Reef]

So then I should not worry about them?

 

[LeslieH]

So then I should not worry about them?

Correct.