Centipedes?

[kev]

These .5 to 1in centipede looking things are starting to multiply in my tank. They are not bristle worms. They look just like centipedes and are red/white in color. They have tons and tons of small independently moving legs. They don't bother me in any way... I acctually think they are cool, I would just like to know what they are. What are they? And are they good or bad for my tank?

 

[striker]

I think you just might be talking about bristle worms. There are many different species among them with the majority being beneficial to the tank.

 

[kev]

I also forgot to add... that these "centipedes" have a head that moves around pretty quickly while its foraging in the LR. While the body acctually has legs that move just like a centipede(sorta like a waving action.)

 

[striker]

The only other creature that I know of fitting your description is a mantis shrimp. Maybe someone else has another guess.

 

[karlas]

you are probably talking about bristle worms. they do look like a centipede type critter and can come in a couple color variations and do multiply quickly

 

[bhav_88]

Well, if you say they aren't bristle worms, I'll be the one to believe you instead of contradicting you. Does the head have suckers on the bottom, by any chance? If you look closely at the legs, do they look hairy? How about antennae? And finally... Do they have the twin pincers on the backmost segment, like a centepede?

 

[kev]

The body stays the same thickness and length, and they do not contract. The legs are actual legs, they aren't bristles. Also, the head appears to be "jointed" to the body. I know what bristleworms look like(I have alot in my tank.) Of all the pics i've seen on the web about bristle worms, none of em look like my mine.

 

[bhav_88]

Does it look like this?

 

[bhav_88]

Or like this? (Sorry, only allows one attatch per post...)

 

[kev]

Yes, it looks very simalar to the second one. With a red/white coloring. What are they?!

 

[bhav_88]

I don't know what it is really called, but I call them 'millipede worms'. They are nice scavengers, similar to bristleworms. Maybe someone knows what these 'millipede worms' are really called.
NOTE: I call them millipede worms instead of centipede worms because most have two pairs of legs per body segment instead of one. I think some only have one, though, so don't quote me.

 

[bang guy]

BHAV - Could you e-mail those pics to Dr. Shimek? Those are the most bizzare creatures I've seen! Great pics BTW.
His e-mail is: rshimek@imt.net
PLEASE let us know once you find out!
Guy

 

[bhav_88]

I shall send the Email... However, I have absolutely no clue what the top one is.
(Just found them on the internet... I most certainly didn't take them)