Wierd worm

[martinz2]

The other day I turned on the lights in my living room where my fish tank is located after the tank had been off for some time. I noticed a green worm about 2 inches long and maybe 3-4 mm think wiggling around in the water. It wasn't on the rocks, it was actually "swimming" through the water. It was the first time I've seen it and I haven't seen it since so I do not have any pictures at this time. Does anyone have any ideas one what this could be?

Thanks

 

[pk1]

probably some sort of bristle worm:
http://images.google.com/images?sou...LG:2006-16,GGLG:en&q=bristle worm&sa=N&tab=wi

getting an exact ID is hard though...if you can get a good digital image you can post it here, and Dr Shimek may be able to help:
http://www.marinedepot.com/FORUMS/Forum11-1.aspx

PK

 

[martinz2]

The worm was smooth. I'm pretty sure I didn't see any bristles on it. Also, do bristle worms swim around the water or just crawl?

 

[menard]

That might be a Mantis. Do you hear any snaping sound coming out of your tank?

 

[~ChrisB~]

I would suspect it to be a baby bristle worm. I have seen them in the past and just assumed that's what they were. However, mine were aways pink.

 

[pk1]

Well, did you get a good look at it? Some bristle worms have small bristle's, and they are usually very fast. I have a worm in my tank that sounds like what you have...it is smooth, with a hard carapace, like a lobster almost, but it's very long and thin, with a tapered head, kinda like an Amtrak train. I have only seen it once, late at night after a night out on the town . I have no idea what mine is, but I have not lost any livestock to my knowledge.
PK

 

[martinz2]

I've looked around and I think it may be a ribbon worm. Not quite positive though and I haven't seen it since. I did find three hairy crabs though and I think they were the ones killing my hermits. Luckily I got two of them out, including the biggest one and funny thing is its like the hermits feel more secure cause they are coming out more now.