Worm ID please?

[tangmaster]

Hi,

I've been breaking down a tank and discovered this worm. Could somebody tell me if it's ok to put it in my other tank? It seems to be able to produce red "lines" that poke out of its' sides at will.

Many thanks,

James.

 

[Lev F.]

Looks like a good guy to me. Can't tell from that picture, but if he produces red lines, he could be a spaghetti worm. Those are nice. He could also be a peanut worm. Both are harmless.

 

[charlesr1958]

Yeah, thats a "spaghetti" worm, a harmless and welcome addition.

Chuck

 

[tangmaster]

Cool thanks! It'll be going in my tank then!

Many thanks,

James.

 

[beaker77]

IMO, that looks way too big to be a spaghetti worm. It's a bristleworm.

 

[charlesr1958]

The Terebellidae (spaghetti worms) have quite a number of species ranging in size, color and habitats. I have found them from near microscopic size to more than a handfull.

I have a few good photo examples as well as link(s) on this family of worms within my hitch hiker pages.

Chuck's Hitch Hikers

Chuck

 

[LeslieH]

I'm not sure it's a terebellid, Chuck. Terebellid tentacles and branchiae (gills) all come from the anterior-most region. James mentioned "red lines that poke out of its sides at will". That sounds like retractile branchiae along the body. The gills of cirratulids (hair worms) don't retract and are always out. Maybe a capitellid, maybe a ?? James, while your image is better than most it's not good enough for me to tell what it is? Can you get some closer shots of the head, middle, & tail end? Today? I leave for a month of field work tomorrow.

 

[tangmaster]

Hi,

Here are a couple more pics. They might be a little clearer. It's mouth appears to have a rasping action.

Head:

Tail:

Middle:

 

[LeslieH]

Thanks, James. Probably a capitellid. I mostly see them dead & preserved so the live ones are a bit harder for me to id! These are sand swallowers & grazers. They feed on the micro-organisms and organics in the sediment; in shape & function they're extremely close to earthworms. Some genera do have gills along the side, either simple filaments or clumps of them. A very useful animal to have in your tank.