Swimming worm ID

[ChrisB]

Just happened to look in my sump a few minutes ago and saw this inch long wormlike creature swimming in place. Not very efficient swimmer wasn't getting anywhere fast but was wiggling wildly. Sorry the pics arent too good. Haven't mastered the camera yet.

It was white with brownish purple tips on both ends...
anyone know???

 

[graveyardworm]

Most likely its whats known as an epitoke. Its reproductive stage of some worms. They swim around for a short time and release their stuff into the water then die.

 

[LeslieH]

Sorry, Chris - the pictures are too fuzzy to say anything more than polychaete and epitoke.

 

[ChrisB]

That's ok, thanks.

I went back to try again and it was gone.

Oh well, either would be good right? Is the polychaete a type of bristleworm?

 

[graveyardworm]

Kinda the other way around, bristleworms are a type of polychaete, but you got it.