Phyllodocid worms (Friend or Foe)

[buddyboy]

I was reading an article the other day "the large worm turns", by Ronald Shimek and was hoping of hearing what others have concluded on keeping these large Eunicid worms( Aka Bobbit worms) in there reef aquaria. Several times I would see this worm protruding from its rock searching for food, but searching for what.. It wasn't your typical bristle worm which i apparently don't have... In fact, its what I have that apparently gives those guys a bad rap.. After searching reefkeeping magazine i finally found this picture which clearly identifies them as a large phyllodocid polychaete worm common in Australian estuaries and mudflats. Have any of you seen these worms become a problem in there tank in which i should take a immediate action or just let them be and hope for the best because I have seen 20-25 red hermits disappear over the last 6 months when all other parameters have been ideal.. And these hermits never gave much mind to each other so the arguement that there killing each other off doesn't cut it..

 

[matti070]

im pretty sure theyre foe, not too sure.:notsure:

 

[007]

do a search for steveweast and his worm . . . I think that will convince you to get rid of it . . .

 

[buddyboy]

Bang, can i have ur opinion regarding these so called bobbit worms. there is a picture listed at the bottom of the post..
I was reading an article the other day "the large worm turns", by Ronald Shimek and was hoping of hearing what others have concluded on keeping these large Eunicid worms( Aka Bobbit worms) in there reef aquaria. Several times I would see this worm protruding from its rock searching for food, but searching for what.. It wasn't your typical bristle worm which i apparently don't have... In fact, its what I have that apparently gives those guys a bad rap.. After searching reefkeeping magazine i finally found this picture which clearly identifies them as a large phyllodocid polychaete worm common in Australian estuaries and mudflats. Have any of you seen these worms become a problem in there tank in which i should take a immediate action or just let them be and hope for the best because I have seen 20-25 red hermits disappear over the last 6 months when all other parameters have been ideal.. And these hermits never gave much mind to each other so the arguement that there killing each other off doesn't cut it..

 

[sunburnt]

I know this is an old thread, but since I finally identified MY worm as being a Phyllodocid (thank you Matt from DFWMAS!), I thought other ppl might find the information useful. Although I have not seen it with my own eyes, I *know* this guy is responsible for my once thriving stomatella (cap snail) population going MIA! I have SEEN the way he HUNTS, and I SAW him carrying a shell (with snail flesh hanging out) in his mouth like a dog. If you guys have small things disappearing and your perameters are all perfect, you might want to watch for this guy! He motors about the tank with his head up... clearly has EYES... and doesn't have bristles, but little spikey appendages instead. He was not afraid of me, and came out at all hours of the day and night. I didn't retouch the pic- those are really his little eyes! LOL!