Worm in my rock

[heli-boy]

I just saw a small worm go in and out of my rock, Does anyone know how to get him out or does he have to stay? Hate to smash my rock.. Thanks
He's about 11/2 or 2 incs long and had spikes all around it.

 

[heli-boy]

I see him can I pull him or is that not good to do?

 

[cranberry]

Bristleworm?

 

[rykna]

Which of these pictures matches your worm?
A: Bristle Worm

B: Fire Worm

If you have a Fire Worm You will need to remove it from your tank.

 

[heli-boy]

A, he looks like A

 

[rykna]

Bristle worms are common hitch hikers. They feed on detris. Most of the time they are harmless, but their numbers multiply quickly. If food becomes scarce they'll start nibbling on corals.

 

[heli-boy]

Thank you for that!!!!! I got another coral Banded since my first one died,Hope he will eat them up....

 

[mudplayerx]

You will be fine leaving the bristleworms alone as long as you don't overfeed. If you look at them closely at night you will actually see pieces of your sand inside of the worms. They are highly beneficial to keeping your tank clean.
Just do not handle them. They have little bristles called setae that will stick into you like cactus hairs and release an irritating chemical.