Look at this worm!!!

[mishka]

My husband got this and a mantis shrimp out of our LR today. Something had been eating our fish. I think it's gross. It's about a foot and a half long with centipide-like 'legs' (for lack of a better word). It's black, and when you shine the light on it, it looks iredesent, like it has oil on it. Does anyone know what it is?

 

[mishka]

Here's another pic. Hopefully the picture is smaller, I'm still learning...

 

[mishka]

They both came out of the rock behind this clown. He's so happy now!~!

 

[blueberryboomer]

It almost looks like a leg to a brittlestar....

 

[dfishh]

looks like a bristleworm, they get huge.
DAVE

 

[steveweast]

Your worm is a Paola worm and is in the Euncid family. These worms are native to the South Pacific and can become huge. They have an affinity for soft corals and small fish when possible. I recently pulled one out my tank that was living in the PVC structure that supported my live rock off of the sand. When I finally got him out, he measured 7 1/2 feet in length. Be glad you got him while he is still a baby!

 

[steveweast]

Here he is against the tape measure...without the 18 inch tail that I broke off getting him out of his tube home.

 

[steveweast]

On a side note, these worms reproduce by breaking off their tail. The tail then swims to the surface where it breaks open and releases either sperm or eggs. From what I read, these tails are quite the delicasy...but, I wasn't about to confirm this.

 

[kinkfish]

can you touch it with your bare hands can it hurt you

 

[blueberryboomer]

Holy Cow! Thats kinda scary.....it's huge! Lisa

 

[mishka]

Lisa, that's EXACTLY what I was going to say!!! Yes, I am very grateful that thing was caught as a "baby". I don't know if I could have handled it any bigger.
How long did you know it was in there before getting it out, and how did you realize it was in there? --Melissa

 

[shels]

That is really gross, Is it common to have them in the tank, How did you know it was in there? Does it ever come out, (Day / Night)?
Thanks
Shel

 

[steveweast]

It is not uncommon for these worms to be in our tanks. They hitchhike in on South Pacific live rock (if they can survive the trip out of water). My tank is only 2 years old....which meant that my worm was growing at about 3 inches a month until I removed him. These worms are nocturnal and will only come out to feed...so, they might not be out every night. I was losing alot of soft corals (xenia,zoos ricordea,etc.). I knew something was eating them at night...so, a little night time viewing yielded this monster snacking on a xenia head.These worms will create burrows to completely hide themselves...I mean. I'm pretty observant...and I missed a 7 1/2 foot worm!

 

[kinkfish]

can it hurt you?

 

[steveweast]

I don't think that they can hurt you, even though they do have several sets of jaws...but, I took no chances...I used tongs only.

 

[dvs]

I can deal with bugs, snakes, and eels. Ive sat in on autopsies (im a justice admin. major) and have gone to the body farm in TN but if I find one of THOSE in my tank, I will freak! lol
Gross.
Several sets of jaws? What, so if the first or second set doesnt sever the bone the third can? Can they kinda collaspe within themselves? (make themselves smaller like worms can)
Will they go after the fish? Is there anything you can get that will eat it?

 

[fish boy]

they sell them in fishing stores for bait i think they call them sand worms i tried to feed a live one to my large puffer and as it was being eaten the warm started attacking the puffer

 

[mishka]

tangs,
I will have to agree with you. That first pic you linked me too looked like the one in our tank, except for color. And yes, our rock is from FL. After taking both out, my hubby had the mantis and the worm in the same body of water. The mantis ate the worm!
But, that 7 1/2 foot one is outrageous!!!