Yuck! What is this HUGE disgusting worm?

oceanlover

oceanlover

Member
I have found a big worm in my 90 gallon aquarium and I am not happy.
I snapped a quick snapshot because it wasn't staying around for a photo shooting.
The rocks are about 6 inches apart and only some of the worm is showing. It is a good 3/4 inch wide and the portion of the worm I could see was about 6 inches long BUT I never saw its head or tail. I have seen bristle worms and this doesn't seem to be like them.
Does anybody have any idea what this worm is? Could it be a fireworm? Any ideas on how to trap it? Advice desired and needed badly! THANKS!
This worm is giving me nightmares.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
It's a bristleworm. They are also called a Caribbean Fireworm.... but remember common names don't mean much. It's not THEE fireworm, the H. carunculata, they are easy to tell by the color of their mouth.... which is red.
The one who have is not predatory like the carunculata, but they are STRONG. They will play tug-of-war with a piece of shrimp if you gave it a chance and their bristles stick in ya pretty easily. You can bounce a "regular" BW in your hand without getting stuck. The ones you can can stick in ya with just a brush.
Some variations in my tank....


My husband got poked and I ran for the camera.
 
oceanlover

oceanlover

Member
Wow, those are some amazing photos Cranberry!
What kind of camera are you using?
Thank you for the info. That HUGE worm had me scared which is pretty funny as I have dived so many places and often with sharks (who I treat with proper respect and courtesy but they don't scare me).
I have a big pair of tweezers and I will use those to grab that huge worm if I ever can.
 
cranberry

cranberry

Active Member
Thanks! It was either the Canon 20D or the Rebel.
Plan out your first attempt well.... crouch like Tiger and strike fast.... you won't get a second chance. I think it has a bigger brain than the 16 year old.
 
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