Worm ID please!

[skriz]

I just scooped some crud out of my tank and noticed a ton of worms in the sand. I have also noticed that these worms (I assume they are the same) climb on my tank walls and eat algae! What are these and are they good?

Thanks

 

[bohlke]

Looks like a bristleworm to me, good cleaners but they can get out of control population wise.

 

[skriz]

hmm. how can I "control" the population?

 

[Amphiprion]

Looks like a Dorvilleid polychaete to me. Looks like yours is likely an herbivorous species, judging by its location on the glass. Many of them are predatory, but the only ones that I have actually found in aquaria with any sort of regularity are the herbivorous species. If that is the case, it should be fine to leave it in, since those kinds are harmless.

 

[LeslieH]

Amphiprion got it right. It's a dorvilleid.

 

[skriz]

Thanks! Feel better now