What kind of worm is this?

[JPSKI25]

I have a few of that these in my tank come out after lights out. They are about an inch long, a grayish bluish color, and attach themselves to a rock or my zoas and kinda lunge out at particles in the water column. They extend in and out like a finger bending. When they move from place to place they go end over end like a slinky. They have been in my tank for months with no incident but last night I noticed one had moved from a colony of zoas onto the center of my naked clowns head. Poor fish was kinda freakin out trying to get it off. I tried to net him but he kept hiding in the rocks. Well needless to say I found him dead today. What are these worms are they dangerous to fish or did he just stress himself to death? There didn't appear to be any holes or bite marks on him or any marks at all.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Johnny P

 

[Sk8r]

That's not good! See if you can get pix of these guys. Bristleworm, it's not: they don't act that way and couldn't hold onto a fish. A food pellet is about their lift-limit.

 

[JPSKI25]

Cant get a pic they are too small they are about the thickness of a paperclip plus any time a light hits them they ball up. I know they are not bristeworms and I cant find them on any of the websites.

 

[JPSKI25]

Finally got pics

Anyone know what this could be?

Thanks
Johnny P

 

[LeslieH]

Johnny - if you can get one out intact put it in a vial of 70% alcohol (rubbing alcohol or high proof vodka/white rum) send it to me and I'll try to figure out what it is. I really doubt it had anything to do with your clown's death though.

 

[ayort]

It looks just like what I identified as a peanut worm in my tank a few months ago. However Mine never moved from a single attachment point, So it possible it isn't the same thing. Other then yours moving and mine not moving. The description of inchworm like reaching around and the look in the pic is the same.
Hope this helps