New Creature What is It???

[luckytobebc]

So I woke up this morning to see a worm like creature crawling around It a pinkish red about an inch long and looks like a bloodworm has 4 columns of spikes on his body. I imagine he came outa my live rock...
Any thoughts on what it is? Do i need to get him out? Thanks..

 

[anjiro]

Its probably a bristle worm, and if thats the case, its not bad. Most bristle worms are good detritus eaters, only a few will eat your corals...

 

[ilovemynewtank]

I agree that it is a bristleworm, they can sting so you may want gloves. It is really not a true sting just feels like a cactus prickling. Sometime they like to cause a small hermit crab to go missing every once and a while and like to burry holes in you live rock whick makes room for other creatures. Once your tank adjust and their food becomes less available they will die down in numbers.

 

[camfish]

Agreed on the bristle worm, blood worm eh? So we have a fw vet on our hands?

 

[joebob7]

I don't think you should worry about losing any hermits to the bristle. I have never had that happen or even heard of thet happening in a tank. Just make sure not to get friendly and try to pet one!

 

[camfish]

Originally Posted by joebob7
http:///forum/post/2875963
I don't think you should worry about losing any hermits to the bristle. I have never had that happen or even heard of thet happening in a tank. Just make sure not to get friendly and try to pet one!

I've never heard of that either. I don't see how they could kill one...maybe you're mistaking that for one hermit killing another

Good advice on not petting one...they are like the porcupines of worms.