found a potentially scary worm

[Introvertedmaniack]

I need help identifying this worm lookin thing. this is the first one of it's colouration and size i've found since i got my live rock over a month ago. based on the fact that i can see bristles on it, I'm assuming it's a type of bristle worm and not a planaria. my issue is trying to figure out if this is something evil that i should start worrying about a lot (re: fire worm) or just a normal butt bristle worm with suspicious colouration.

 

[Subsea]

Overview

There are over 10,000 species of bristle worms, also known as polychaetes, and approximately 200 are identified as fireworms. All fireworms are bristle worms, but most bristle worms are not fireworms, which are distinguished by their toxic, stinging bristles.

 

[Introvertedmaniack]

Overview

There are over 10,000 species of bristle worms, also known as polychaetes, and approximately 200 are identified as fireworms. All fireworms are bristle worms, but most bristle worms are not fireworms, which are distinguished by their toxic, stinging bristles.

is there any way to make sure this lil worm is safe for my tank? will it hurt anything else in the tank?

 

[The Ugly Phase]

how much for a vid of you eating it

 

[Subsea]

is there any way to make sure this lil worm is safe for my tank? will it hurt anything else in the tank?

If you are concerned, go ahead and touch it. See if it stings. The odds of it stinging are 200 in 10,000.

 

[PapaFishRocks]

Looks like a boring old safe bristle worm to me. I have a bunch of them in my tank and they haven’t hurt anything.


But when in doubt, toss it out.