WHOA! Something very strange came out of the LR!

TomV · 04-09-2004, 02:44 PM

I was looking at the Live Rock just now because I thought there was some kind of silver hair on it. A closer look revealed it to be an inch long SILVER-ish worm that was segmented like a millipede. It was very thin and had a weird head on the end that looked a little like tentacles. This didn't look like your typical peanut worm.

And also, this thing moved pretty fast! It didn't slither slow like a bristleworm, and didn't retract quick like a tentacle. But it made a beeline back to the hole it came out of. I will try to get a pic if I see it again, but it took off before I got the camera out. It was feeding on some algae before it took off and went back into the hole.

(I noticed the slime algae on the top of the rock has greatly decreased lately... maybe that's why?)

TomV · 04-09-2004, 04:13 PM

Ok, it came out again and I managed to snap a quick picture of it.

It's right next to the new duster I discovered the other day. I put an arrow toward it. See how it's segmented?

I apologize for the poor picture quality, but it had caught on to what I was doing and was flying back into a nearby hole!

The head is on the left and it is backing into a hole.

TomV · 04-09-2004, 06:07 PM

No one has any ideas?

I just caught this worm wandering around again and it was actually PULLING on some hair algae!! Very very very strange! It's only a couple milimeters wide and much faster than a Bristleworm. I wonder what it is. If it's eating hair algae, it's welcome in my tank!

I checked out the Hitchhiker FAQs and this wasn't on it. Unless it's an immature peanut worm and they eat algae.

jimeluiz · 04-09-2004, 07:43 PM

Hey Tom - looks like you are getting lots of views, just no feedback. Camp out by the tank and snap a cleaner shot for better ID potential.

Discovering mystery critters is part of the fun!

TomV · 04-09-2004, 07:50 PM

The tank is right here across from my PC... which is where I spend most of my time!

Every time it comes out, I notice it, get the camera, it notices me, and it takes off before I can get a clean shot! Very elusive!

ScottT1980 · 04-09-2004, 08:11 PM

Initially I thought a peanut worm but they aren't segmented, although their color patterns can make them appear that way...

Did it invaginate in on itself (roll up like a sock)?

Take er easy
Scott T.

TomV · 04-09-2004, 08:18 PM

Nope. Doesn't do anything like that. It's a little thicker than a sewing thread and actually PULLS on the algae! It moves much like a millipede but doesn't curl up. The way it moves, I think it has the tons of feet like a millipede under it.

Icebox · 04-09-2004, 08:22 PM

Wish I could help

Good Luck!

^Bump^

Maxx · 04-09-2004, 09:09 PM

Hmmm...I dont have anything definitive or worthwhile to add which will help you ID the critter, but I believe my tank had several of them as well.
Very thin, segmented, moved quickly, hung out in the substrate, (finely crushed coral that was thicker than sand), head seemed to be larger than the body, very secretive, usually visible after lights out.
I thought it was predatory because of its speed, excellent vision, (even a red lense light, spooked it), and nocturnal habits. Sound about right?
Nick

ReefLady · 04-09-2004, 09:33 PM

If it's segmented, it's an Annelid, and likely a polychaete (bristleworm of some sort). I've never heard though, of one feasting on algae.

Actually, I don't know of any worms (except some nudibranchs) which have a diet of algae.

Well, hate to do this to you, but here are a few links to marine polychaete ID. Hopefully you can pull something from on of these!

>The Large Worm Turns…<

>The Worms Crawl In…< (look closely at the syllids near the end of this article.

>Polychaete Annelid Identification, or “You Can Always Tell A Bristle Worm…<

>Bristle/Fireworms Identification FAQs <

>Bristles, Feather Dusters Fire and More: Polychaete Worm Diversity<

>Phylum Annelida -- Polychaetes, "the bristleworms"<

>Marine Worms< <---- This is in .pdf format (you need Adobe Acrobat), but it's a good document.

TomV · 04-09-2004, 09:45 PM

This one actually came out during the regular light cycle. It definitely knew I was there watching it. I don't know how. I didn't make any vibrations. It must have some sight somehow.

Craig Manoukian · 04-10-2004, 10:34 AM

In general, Polycheates, including bristle worms are rarely bad hitch hikers.

04-09-2004, 02:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	WHOA! Something very strange came out of the LR! I was looking at the Live Rock just now because I thought there was some kind of silver hair on it. A closer look revealed it to be an inch long SILVER-ish worm that was segmented like a millipede. It was very thin and had a weird head on the end that looked a little like tentacles. This didn't look like your typical peanut worm. And also, this thing moved pretty fast! It didn't slither slow like a bristleworm, and didn't retract quick like a tentacle. But it made a beeline back to the hole it came out of. I will try to get a pic if I see it again, but it took off before I got the camera out. It was feeding on some algae before it took off and went back into the hole. (I noticed the slime algae on the top of the rock has greatly decreased lately... maybe that's why?) __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 04:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ok, it came out again and I managed to snap a quick picture of it. It's right next to the new duster I discovered the other day. I put an arrow toward it. See how it's segmented? I apologize for the poor picture quality, but it had caught on to what I was doing and was flying back into a nearby hole! The head is on the left and it is backing into a hole. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank Last edited by TomV : 04-09-2004 at 06:09 PM.

04-09-2004, 06:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	No one has any ideas? I just caught this worm wandering around again and it was actually PULLING on some hair algae!! Very very very strange! It's only a couple milimeters wide and much faster than a Bristleworm. I wonder what it is. If it's eating hair algae, it's welcome in my tank! I checked out the Hitchhiker FAQs and this wasn't on it. Unless it's an immature peanut worm and they eat algae. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 07:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
jimeluiz Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Niteroi, Brasil Posts: 829 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hey Tom - looks like you are getting lots of views, just no feedback. Camp out by the tank and snap a cleaner shot for better ID potential. Discovering mystery critters is part of the fun! __________________ Sold the tank prior to our move. Setting up our new life in Brazil.

04-09-2004, 07:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	The tank is right here across from my PC... which is where I spend most of my time! Every time it comes out, I notice it, get the camera, it notices me, and it takes off before I can get a clean shot! Very elusive! __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 08:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	Initially I thought a peanut worm but they aren't segmented, although their color patterns can make them appear that way... Did it invaginate in on itself (roll up like a sock)? Take er easy Scott T. __________________ My Tank

04-09-2004, 08:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	Nope. Doesn't do anything like that. It's a little thicker than a sewing thread and actually PULLS on the algae! It moves much like a millipede but doesn't curl up. The way it moves, I think it has the tons of feet like a millipede under it. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-09-2004, 08:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Icebox Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Creston, NC Posts: 528 View Gallery Karma Komment	Wish I could help Good Luck! ^Bump^ __________________ Mike

04-09-2004, 09:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hmmm...I dont have anything definitive or worthwhile to add which will help you ID the critter, but I believe my tank had several of them as well. Very thin, segmented, moved quickly, hung out in the substrate, (finely crushed coral that was thicker than sand), head seemed to be larger than the body, very secretive, usually visible after lights out. I thought it was predatory because of its speed, excellent vision, (even a red lense light, spooked it), and nocturnal habits. Sound about right? Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

04-09-2004, 09:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,031 View Gallery Karma Komment	If it's segmented, it's an Annelid, and likely a polychaete (bristleworm of some sort). I've never heard though, of one feasting on algae. Actually, I don't know of any worms (except some nudibranchs) which have a diet of algae. Well, hate to do this to you, but here are a few links to marine polychaete ID. Hopefully you can pull something from on of these! >The Large Worm Turns…< >The Worms Crawl In…< (look closely at the syllids near the end of this article. >Polychaete Annelid Identification, or “You Can Always Tell A Bristle Worm…< >Bristle/Fireworms Identification FAQs < >Bristles, Feather Dusters Fire and More: Polychaete Worm Diversity< >Phylum Annelida -- Polychaetes, "the bristleworms"< >Marine Worms< <---- This is in .pdf format (you need Adobe Acrobat), but it's a good document. __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

04-09-2004, 09:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
TomV Neon dottyback Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 632 View Gallery Karma Komment	This one actually came out during the regular light cycle. It definitely knew I was there watching it. I don't know how. I didn't make any vibrations. It must have some sight somehow. __________________ TomV 10g Nano Re-established 3/06: 96W PC Quad, Seaclone 100 modded, Hagen 301 PH'd, FOWLR for now. 55g 3-15-05: 130w PC lights, 250w Ebo Jager htr., 200w htr., Aquaclear 500 DIY Fuge. Softies Tank

04-10-2004, 10:34 AM	#12 (permalink)
Craig Manoukian Regular Guy Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marina Del Ray, CA Posts: 18,343 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	In general, Polycheates, including bristle worms are rarely bad hitch hikers. __________________ Currently tankless. 20 Gallon mini reef with mated pair of Maroon Clowns given to Rougiem! 80 gallon reef given to Rougiem/Wooster HS.

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