Worm Id

[justdonna]

I found this crawling out of the sand, its about 2-3 inches long, the bubble butt part is about 1cm thick... It mouth is like a trunk with stripes? Any help identifying would be great, also if it is bad or good for the tank. Background on the tank, is we just consolidated 2 tanks into one and this is new/used sand.

 

[tetra-tag]

It could be a Sipunculid, commonly known as a 'Peanut Worm' due to their ability to pull their 'evertible proboscis' back into their body (forming a sort of peanut shape) when disturbed. They are considered beneficial detrivores, and are usally found on the rockworks, reaching out to mop the sandbed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipuncula

http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rs/index.php

You might want to keep it contained for a while until you are sure it's not something else...perhaps offer it some food to see if it feeds as described.

 

[justdonna]

Peanut Worm

Peanut Worm

I am pretty sure that is what it is as well. I just put it back in the tank. It sure is a wierd little creature. Thanks for the ID