Worm id

[4ptbuck]

Any help here before I post on RC?

This worm only comes out a night and doesn't like light. It's a quick one.

The head has a buch or spikes/anntenna tha fan forward.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/4ptbuck/worm2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/4ptbuck/worm.jpg

[G1GY]

Looks like a peanut worm to me. :smile:

[4ptbuck]

nope... here's a peanut...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/4ptbuck/peanut.jpg

He lives about 4" below the mystery worm.

[Beverly]

Article and pics of worms:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.htm

[4ptbuck]

Well from that article I think I have a Eunice worm.
It says it can grow upwards of 6 feet+ omg :eek:

It is a 'usual suspect' in dissapearances.
I think my worm is only a few inches right now, can't see all the body.
Hopefully nothing dissapears from my tank....

4pts

[Beverly]

Am going to try getting rid of a worm in my tank later today. Here's the thread:

http://www.canreef.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15741&highlight=

[4ptbuck]

Good Luck.
I don't think I have one of your worms.
I haven't found any slimed covered snails.

4pts

[andestang]

Well from that article I think I have a Eunice worm.
It says it can grow upwards of 6 feet+ omg



Thats what it looks like. Seen a picture of one after it was caught and laid out along side a canoe and it was over 3/4 of the canoe :eek

[4ptbuck]

Ande what does it look like?
A Eunice or a Oenone Fulgida?
You have me a little concerned.

[muck]

Check it...
http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm

[andestang]

Thats a good example :mrgreen:

[Beverly]

Good Luck.
I don't think I have one of your worms.
I haven't found any slimed covered snails.

No, we do not have the same worms. But by the sound of it, you don't want that worm in your tank anymore than I want the worm I've got in my tank. I posted the reference to my thread so you could see if my worm removal method works for me or not. Will post my success or failure. You can proceed from there.

[4ptbuck]

Really? :confused:

The article says talks about some of them being benign, and scavengers.
So far I haven't had any problems.

Hmm maybe I'll ask Shimek.

4pts...

[Beverly]

Really? :confused:

The article says talks about some of them being benign, and scavengers.
So far I haven't had any problems.

Hmm maybe I'll ask Shimek.

Two quotes from the article:

One kind, which is benign in reef tanks, seems to be mostly scavenging its food. It lives in a burrow in the sediment, or more rarely, in a burrow in the rocks. When feeding, one of these worms will slowly extend from its burrow.

There are also smaller species of Eunice, and these seem to be reported from time to time in aquaria. They generally appear to be harmless scavengers, however, even I, a self-proclaimed vermophile, would consider them amongst the "usual suspects" if some small fish such as fire fish or small gobies disappeared without a trace.

I guess it's hard to say which kind you have from the above quotes. I'm so ticked off that we've got a baddy in our tank, that my judgement may be clouded into thinking your worm is also bad. But, really, if you aren't having problems with missing livestock, maybe your worm is okay. Personally, I wouldn't take a chance. JMO, though.

BTW, how long has your tank been set up and what kind of livestock (possible food items for your worm) do you have in it?

[untamed]

That is absolutely a Eunicid worm of some type. I have at least 4 of that exact species in my tank and can confirm that that particular one can reach a length of 2 feet. ('cause one of mine is that long...in a hex tank that is only 13" per side)

I've had them for a more than a year and my conclusion is that they are fairly harmless scavengers that will eat whatever is available. I don't think they would hunt fish, but might take a bite out of soft corals. They will accept hand feeding and have a high "wow" factor with house guests.