What is this thing?

[jennln]

I went to retrieve the muscle shell after they were done feeding, and there was this "thing" attached to it. I can't get a really good picture because it's coming out of a rock in the back of the tank and wrapping around the front/side of the rock to reach the muscle shell. It's about 5-6 inches long from what I can see and all that I can see of it is this white tube. Is this ok or should I be worried? Thanks.

**EDITED TO ADD - SECOND much clearer pic added....scroll down please**

 

[bigarn]

Does it look or act like a worm? I'm thinking Peanut worm.

 

[jennln]

It really isn't acting like anything at all. It was like a cord attached to the rock and the muscle. It's now let go of the muscle and is laying on top of the sand. It's head (I'm assuming) is like an arrow shape. I'm trying to get a picture of it, but a white "thing" on white sand is not producing a clear image at all lol

 

[jennln]

Umm....okay well apparently my clown trigger was just as curious about it as I was and a nip or two later "it" was just laying on top of the sand not moving. I scooped him up and stuck him on a plate for a better look. He's still in water but still not moving - pretty sure he's a goner. In any case, I definitley got a better picture of him......no words lol So what on earth is this thing? I know what "I" would call it but I'd still like to know what it really is and If I should be concerned about more?

 

[bigarn]

I'm going to stick with Peanut worm. They're good members of the clean up crew and are harmless.

 

[jennln]

Hmmm....I guess there truly are no cleaners safe in my tank So hopefully there are a few more hanging around that my trig hasn't found yet. Well good to know anyway. Thank you for your help!

 

[bigarn]

No problem .... They spend most of the time in the rocks, but will come out when there's food around .. as you've already seen.

 

[spanko]

Triangular head is fooling me. Do peanuts have that bigarn?

 

[bigarn]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2897578
Triangular head is fooling me. Do peanuts have that bigarn?
Hmm ... The more I look the more I wonder. Peanuts can be deceiving when they're stretched out and have been feeding. But now I'm not all that sure about my ID.

 

[zoa 101]

that is definitely a peanut worm.

 

[vishnuborg]

Peanut worms have conical heads- while alive peanut worms are a a lot more than a little bulkier than the one in the first picture. Upon death a peanut worm will not retain its shape as well as some species, and may deflate. Try squeezing it to confirm its ID. it should compress easily.

 

[jennln]

Compressing it does nothing. The diameter of the body is about the same as a toothpick if that helps. (Same size in the tank when it attached itself between the muscle and rock - kind of stringy looking).