Need ID on Two Things

[patandlace]

Is this hair algae? It is all over the glass and there is also some on the rocks.
There are at least 3 of the hitchhiking worms. What are they?
Thanks for the help!!!
Lacey & Patrick

 

[my way]

I can't tell on the first pic, but the second is a britle worm. I suggest you get a magnifying glass for ID'ing small stuff. I have a couple at varying strenghts. It makes it easy to get a good look at the little things.

 

[patandlace]

Are the bristle worms safe or harmful?
Thanks for your help....

 

[bigarn]

For the most part bristleworms are good cleanup crew members.

 

[shnabbles]

Ya just dont try to pick the brittle worm up with your fingers.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by Shnabbles
Ya just dont try to pick the brittle worm up with your fingers.

...yep, they are also referred to as fire worms.

Use tweezers if you decide to remove one.

 

[reefman22]

THATS what I had in my tank!! I saw it last night and by the time i got a flashlight to get a better look it had gone in the rock. Can you give me some info on them, nocturnal? how are they helpful? can they harm and fish or corals? P.S. I hope im not hijacking your thread, patandlace, cause im pretty sure you are learning something too lol thanks guys
REEFMAN

 

[bigarn]

They seem to come out in greater numbers at night, but you can see them during the day also if you hit it right. They're great at cleaning up waste matter in the tank. There have been reports of really large ones bothering corals but IMO it's rare. I've never heard of a bristleworm attacking or killing a healthy fish.

 

[arsanc]

Quick question....I have read many times not to handle bristle worms but there have been times I have picked them by hand because by the time I would get tweezers they crawl back into the rock. I've occasionally got a slight uncomfortable spine that I pull out but nothing major. Is there something more that I should be aware of that could happen?

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by arsanc
Quick question....I have read many times not to handle bristle worms but there have been times I have picked them by hand because by the time I would get tweezers they crawl back into the rock. I've occasionally got a slight uncomfortable spine that I pull out but nothing major. Is there something more that I should be aware of that could happen?

I don't think their is anything to worry about, with the exception of having an allergic reaction.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by bigarn
They seem to come out in greater numbers at night, but you can see them during the day also if you hit it right. They're great at cleaning up waste matter in the tank. There have been reports of really large ones bothering corals but IMO it's rare. I've never heard of a bristleworm attacking or killing a healthy fish.

I agree. I have alot of bristeworms in my reef and seahorse tanks and I don't have any problems.

 

[patandlace]

Thank you everybody for your help. About the first pic, what does hair algae look like?

 

[pyro]

if you do a google search on algae you can probably find a breif explanation and a pic of common types of algae.
Hair algae just looks like short (1/2" appx) green hairs. Normally in bunches.

 

[symon]

here is a site that might help, hope it's ok to post this one

http://www.algaebase.org/index.lasso...0791OvYiE7537F

 

[bot587]

bristle worms are some of the best detritivores around... however i dont like haing em in my tank just for the sheer reason that my hand seems to go in there at least once a week...