Worm? ID help

[a.stebel]

Got some rock from my friend and found a 3 foot worm/snake thing in the bottom of the bucket. Can someone tell me what exactly it is please. I have it in a bucket with water.

 

[Hydrologist]

I cant remember the name but it is not a good worm. Its a good thing you got it before it went in your tank!

 

[mscarpena]

Eunice worm. Yes kill it or give it to some one. Not good in a reef.

 

[a.stebel]

Should I chop him up and feed it to some anemones I have?

Thank you for the reply.

 

[mscarpena]

I would not do that. It maybe able to regenerate or have eggs. I would just kill it or find someone who wants it.

 

[a.stebel]

Ok. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[slapshot]

Bobbit worm. They are very bad. Btw if you cut it up each section will live and grow into it's own worm. They eat everything, fish, corals anything.

 

[LeslieH]

Bobbit worm. They are very bad. Btw if you cut it up each section will live and grow into it's own worm. They eat everything, fish, corals anything.

It's not a bobbitt although it's in the same genus Eunice. Most of them are harmless, even some of the big ones. What an individual eats depends on the species and the individual. Some species are strictly herbivores, some eat detritus, some are scavengers, some are predators. If they're not keep well fed some will go after items that aren't part of the normal diet - just like most inverts. If your friend didn't have any mysterious deaths in his tank before giving you the rock then the worm should be safe.

Go ahead & feed your anemones. Both male & female eunicids are required for a successful spawning so you don't have to worry about reproduction. If you cut the worm's anterior part off close to the head it will regrow a new body and the body will regrow a new head. If the cut isn't within a certain distance of the head then the rest of the body will not regenerate, it will just die.

 

[a.stebel]

My friend did have some mysterious deaths. He had his 400 up for about 4 years and just started getting some deaths about 3 months ago. Mystery wrasse disappeared, some other small fish, and some corals on the sand bed were being pulled under rocks and killed. Don't know if this worm is the culprit but I won't take any chances. Soon to be anemone food.

It's not a bobbitt although it's in the same genus Eunice. Most of them are harmless, even some of the big ones. What an individual eats depends on the species and the individual. Some species are strictly herbivores, some eat detritus, some are scavengers, some are predators. If they're not keep well fed some will go after items that aren't part of the normal diet - just like most inverts. If your friend didn't have any mysterious deaths in his tank before giving you the rock then the worm should be safe.

Go ahead & feed your anemones. Both male & female eunicids are required for a successful spawning so you don't have to worry about reproduction. If you cut the worm's anterior part off close to the head it will regrow a new body and the body will regrow a new head. If the cut isn't within a certain distance of the head then the rest of the body will not regenerate, it will just die.