Unknown worms swimming and spawning in my nano

[olaf]

I just got home from a cook-out and noticed that my nano was cloudy.
I looked closer and saw three worms squiggling about the water column. I netted one and slapped the net down to get it out to look at it and it broke apart into three peices. I saw two others so I netted them and put them into a small jar. they are still swimming about and clouding up the water. I got video of them. I have no idea what they are. I have actually sent them out to get identified about six months ago. At that time the ones I caught were very small maybe an inch and didn't swim much at all. They were unknown to the place I sent them to and they said that they have not ever seen any of the things I sent them.
I sent them those worms, colony anemones about the size of zoa polyps, jewel anemones, micro limpets.
I have had some really weird things come out of the (fresh) Bali rock I purchased. Bioluminescent copopods are one of the most interesting things I got out of the rock.

I will post the video on youtube and attach the link.
I see that my tux urchin is also spawning.

 

[olaf]

Here is the video link to Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9pOljEhQfY

 

[olaf]

The two in the cup are half the thickness now and I changed the water since it got so cloudy like milk. They are now falling apart in the bottom of the jar, but still wiggling. My 24g nano cube is already clear. TG I have a H.O.T. sitting on the front to help out with filtration. Plus, christmas tree worms, two large sea squirts and large sponges also help filter.

 

[olaf]

I have had all types of spawning in my nano before but this is the first time worms have spawned. It usually is the mini serpent stars crawling out of the LR by the hundreds and clouding up the cube. I have had so many at one time that I could see the LR or any coral because it was all covered in mini serpent stars.

 

[olaf]

http://www.verbridge.com/worm.htm
Here are pictures of the one that broke apart in the lid of the jar.
You can see that it was still releasing sperm even after it broke apart.
The third image was what I was talking about in post #3

 

[scuba guy ron]

wow... those are crazy little guys....and full of energy too

 

[olaf]

How would I find out if I have some new discovery?

 

[greenbean36191]

You're seeing epitokes or swarmers. They're worms (or parts of worms) modified specifically for reproduction. Their internal organs have been replaced by gametes and their external structure has been modified for swimming. They're basically little swimming gamete bombs.

 

[olaf]

What kind of worms? Am I going to have a mass explosion of worms in my nano now? This is the first time in five yearrs that I have seen this happen.

 

[Lightsluvr]

Following along...

Following along...

This is amazing - following along for more clarification...

LL

 

[olaf]

BTW, the aquarium lights were off and only the LED night lights were on (10:30 PM EST).

 

[greenbean36191]

This is a common form of reproduction for lots of groups of polychaetes. There's no way of saying what kind of worms they were without a picture.

 

[olaf]

Tank stats:
24-gallon JBJ Nano Cube.
Lighting upgrade from Nano Tuners
108 WATT plus 5 LED moon light array.
Actinic 8 AM - 8 PM
10,000 K 10 AM - 6 PM
LED Moon Light 8 PM - 8 AM

Filtration:
Chemical Filter Media
Purigen 100 ml = 100 ml treats up to 100 gallons, for up to 6 months
Purigen® is a premium synthetic adsorbent that is unlike any other filtration product. It is not a mixture of ion exchangers or adsorbents, but a unique macro-porous synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water at a rate and capacity that exceeds all others by over 500%. Purigen® controls ammonia, nitrites and nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds. Purigen’sâ"žÂ¢ impact on trace elements is minimal. It significantly raises redox. It polishes water to unparalleled clarity. Purigen® darkens progressively as it exhausts
Sea-Lab #15 = treats 80 gallons for up to 6 months
Superb broad-spectrum adsorbent of dissolved organics. Removes fatty acids and oils originating in food products, as well as other organic compounds released into the water from your aquarium residents. This unique product can actually remove dissolved wastes that your protein skimmer may miss.
HyperSorb 250 ml = Each 250 mL treats up to 300 L (75 gallons*)
HyperSorbâ"žÂ¢ is a synthetic adsorbent that outperforms all other blended synthetic media and carbons. It has exceptional organic removal capacity: it removes organic waste, toxic vapors and other pollutants. In freshwater it will help stabilize the ionic balance and will help control ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. It is easily regenerated with household bleach. For use in both freshwater and marine.
SeaGel 250 ml = 250 ml. treats 40-60 gallons for 4-6 months
SeaGelâ"žÂ¢ is a blend of MatrixCarbonâ"žÂ¢ and PhosGuardâ"žÂ¢. MatrixCarbonâ"žÂ¢ is an ultracapacity carbon for the removal of organic and color impurities. PhosGuardâ"žÂ¢ is a powerful remover of phosphate, silicate, toxic metals, and acids. Both components are bead shaped for optimum water flow characteristics and penetration. The components enhance each other and are ideal for reef and marine use
Mechanical Filter Media
3 Sponges that originally came with my JBJ Nano Cube
Bio-Balls original large one and smaller blue ones (added).
Extra Water Movement
Magnum H.O.T. Empty of any filter media, full of live sponges and encrusting worms. Synthetic sponge on the intake.

Riffkeramik Background
Bali Plate Live Rock

Fish:
Tail-spot Blenny
Geometric Pygmy Hawkfish

Tons of inverts most are tiny.