little red worms?

[silversides]

I now have about 15 little red worms floating around my tank. The tank is 125g and about a year old. I have fish and inv. LS and LR. What are these worms and do they cause problems? If they do how do I get rid of them?

 

[bang guy]

Do they wiggle? Do you have a size estimate? Can you see any tentacles or other appendages? antennae?

 

[jonthefb]

are they cruising around in the water column or are they located in the sandbed and live rock? if its the latter, is probably bristleworms
good luck
jon

 

[silversides]

They are real fine (thin) and as they float they wiggle or ball up. When they land like on the glass they strech out about 3/4" long they stay there for a little then they release and float around again. Did not notice anything else on them. They float in the water strem not on the sand.

 

[jonthefb]

hmmm. well they are most definately not bristleworms, Guy any thoughts? ive seen these before, but have no idea what they are!
good luck
jon

 

[bang guy]

I would guess them to be small Cirratulid worms. If they are there should be tiny tentacles and gills coming from the body if you look closely enough. The small one exhibit this floating behavior to put some distance between them and the mother. They are not tasty for the fish so when eaten they will probably be spit out.

 

[jonthefb]

any other pluses or minuses for having them in a reef tank guy?
jon

 

[bang guy]

BIG plusses for having them. They are as good as Spaghetti worms except they live in the sand bed.