What is this in my CC?

[beadebaserrrr]

These have been in my crushed coral for probably a year. They obviously have done nothing to harm my tank, but I still would like to know what they are. Recently there have been more- they're multiplying.
What are they? Should I remove them or be worried?

 

[theduncanator]

sure doesn't look good to me, i would remove them...but then again, I dont know much. SO I hope for your sake someone can better answer your question lol.
good luck mate.

 

[flower]

They are bristle worms and they are good critters. They clean up waste form the tank. Do not touch them with bare hands, they sting.

 

[yosemite sam]

Yup they're bristle worms. They're probably feeding on all the stuff that's getting trapped in your CC.

 

[pezenfuego]

Fire worms perhaps. Do you realize how broad of a category bristle worms is? Coco worms, fan worms, etc. fit into this category. Anyway, they are probably helping your crushed coral stay clean, don't remove them because that could be potentially problematic. Do not touch them as flower said, it isn't pleasant to pick those little bristles out of your hand

 

[renogaw]

yup, bristle worms. they are showing you though how bad your substrate is... if they grow to epic proportions its due to all the detritus stuck in your substrate.