What kind of worm?

[alexin]

last night, a worm about a foot long crawled out of the live rock. He was brown and white on top, and totally brown on the bottom. Any ideas--is he bad for the tank?

 

[wolffam]

Did it have any legs? What did it do while you were watching it? Did you see both ends?
Just a guess, but if you only saw one end and it rolled back up into itself when you shined light at it into the rock, then my guess is a peanut worm. Not harmful. Hope this helps!

 

[alexin]

It had many legs, and it came completely out of the rock. Yes, I saw both ends, and it wasn't afraid at all. It made a leisurely trip around the back of the tank, actually crawled up the glass, fell back down, and then slowly crawled back into the rock. My tank has been up alittle over amonth, and this is the first time I've seen it.
Thanks for your help!!

 

[stormbind]

Is it a reddish brown? If so it may be a bristle worm. Not really any trouble...but they will sting the mess out of you if you touch them.

 

[alexin]

Here are a few pictures of the worm. Any help would be appreciated, thanks a lot!
http://faceoff.xoasis.com/weirdworm.jpg http://faceoff.xoasis.com/weirdworm2.jpg

 

[twoods71]

Looks like a bristle worm although the ones I have seen are more a redish color. That one looks big also. When they are small they are not really a problem but when they get big I have read that they can start eating corals and even sneak up on a sleeping fish.

 

[noles1]

Im not at all an expert,but this doesnt look like a bristle worm to me.

 

[nm reef]

Does look like the bristle worms I've seen.....BUT
I've never seen one that big......lordy dat is scary...........call the sharks and have 'em look at that monster....I want to hear what they suggest............
I've got a fairly large number of them in my tanks......but they are less than 1-2 inches..........and don't seem to be a problem..........

 

[noles1]

Thats why I say I dont think its a bristle worm because there usually more red and Ive never seen one that big.

 

[alexin]

That worm is every bit of 12 inches long. He comes out every night when I go to blue lights. Sharks, do you have any ideas ???

 

[slowest is fastest]

Is it a bristle worm? YES Would I remove it YES,YES,YES. Ones that big usually mean nothing but trouble. While small ones can be benificial large ones like this can cause problems IMHO.
Take care in removing it and make sure you get it all. Use a large pair of tweezers or something similar. Once it knows you're after it it is qiuck. It can twist back the legth of its body if you get it by one end. You definately don't want this thing getting ahold of you at least I didn't like it when I pulled a big one like this from my tank and ouch not pleasant.
SiF

 

[alexin]

Thanks for the advice. If I remove it, is a net the best way?

 

[stormbind]

Yes do take it out pronto. But use caution, they will sting the crap out of you. Arrow crabs can help with Bristle worms but I don't know about ones of this caliber. Good luck. Let us know how it works out.

 

[slowest is fastest]

If it crawls out in about the same place every night you could try puttin a piece of krill or brine shrimp in the net ahead of it. When it crawls in lift up and out. But like I said be prepared because these guys can be very quick if they want /need to. Good luck
SiF