Worm ID Please.

[maryanno]

I was told I should post my pictures in this forum. So here it goes. Anyone know what this critter is? Good or Bad?

http://www.cupids-playground.com/unidentified worm.htm

 

[SLOANMAN]

looks like a pod...yes good

 

[SLOANMAN]

not sure now i take a closer look...where in illinois are you?

 

[maryanno]

Joliet, Illinois

 

[LeslieH]

No, not a pod. It's a polychaete, the anterior end of an epitoke - the sexual phase which swims up into the water column to spawn. The focus isn't good enough that I can even tell what family it belongs to but definitely a poly.

 

[maryanno]

Leslie,
Sorry about the focus, but it's the best I could get with the camera I have. Are these good or bad? Or you don't know because you cannot identify from my pictures?
Thanks,
Mary

 

[LeslieH]

I can't really identify it but 1) it's too small to do any damage by itself, 2) the most likely suspects are harmless, and 3) since it's an anterior portion it isnt' likely to survive!

 

[The steven liu]

looks kinda cute though