worm id?

[mfinn]

I was rearranging some zoanthid colonies yesterday when this guy started moving from one colony to another.
It's thinner that a pencil lead but is 6-7 inches long and swims like a snake.
Anybody have an idea what it is and what it eats?

 

[Sk8r]

saltcorner.com indicates it is likely some variety of ribbonworm, not quite reef safe, but not too bad. Eats bits of shrimp, etc., if that's what it is. Look there under worms, way down at the bottom of the list. Some come in from Mexican waters.

 

[LeslieH]

Yup, that's a nemertean, commonly known as ribbon worms. They are all predators & meat eaters. The specific prey items for most nemerteans is unknown but it looks as if many of them hunt smaller inverts like other worms, crustaceans, and molluscs. A few are thought to eat corals but if you haven't noticed any damage to your zoos this particular one is probably okay. Do you mind if I forward your image to a friend who specializes in the group? He'll want to know the origin - do you know the area where your LR or zoo clusters come from?

 

[mfinn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7364940#post7364940 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LeslieH
Yup, that's a nemertean, commonly known as ribbon worms. They are all predators & meat eaters. The specific prey items for most nemerteans is unknown but it looks as if many of them hunt smaller inverts like other worms, crustaceans, and molluscs. A few are thought to eat corals but if you haven't noticed any damage to your zoos this particular one is probably okay. Do you mind if I forward your image to a friend who specializes in the group? He'll want to know the origin - do you know the area where your LR or zoo clusters come from?

Go ahead and send the picture. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the 20 plus colonies came from. The rock has been in my tank for about 5 years.
I have had a couple problems losing some zoanthids, but I figured the sundial snails were the culprit.
Thanks

 

[LeslieH]

MFinn - do you still have the worm? My friend the specialist thinks it might be a new species and would love to see it.

 

[mfinn]

No, I'm sorry it's gone.