Help!!

[Donald Gilliss]

so I just bought a Medusa worm and it separated itself into three pieces but is still expanding and contracting like it’s still alive??? The head piece took off and is wandering around the tank, and these are the other two pieces. Can’t find any info on this..

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Wow. No clue. Part of it will probably live but ......#reefsquad

 

[Donald Gilliss]

I called the owner of the store I purchased him from and he also said he had never heard of this happening, don’t know if it’s a stress thing or what. The head part is doing good so far..

 

[reef lover]

Yikes! I might isolate in an acclimation box just in case things turn for the worst. #reefsquad

 

[Lasse]

This can help you

Sincerely Lasse

 

[reefwiser]

While they are "neat" they are not something you should ever buy and keep in an aquarium. Stores get these shipped to them and all they know to do is sell it to "somebody".

 

[ndrwater]

Best guess is all 3 pieces will be viable. Many types of worms/slugs/cucumbers can and do reproduce by segmenting.
As an example, I have a Tiger tail cucumber that segmented... Now I have 5.....

 

[Lasse]

Best guess is all 3 pieces will be viable. Many types of worms/slugs/cucumbers can and do reproduce by segmenting.
As an example, I have a Tiger tail cucumber that segmented... Now I have 5.....

And I hav at least 2 (have put in one)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Donald Gilliss]

I acclimated for about an hour before adding to my tank. Last night I put the separated pieces in another tank, the big piece is moving around the tank but still gonna keep an eye on it before adding it back to my main tank. The head piece I left in my main tank is moving around and doing great so far. Might not be something you should add, but I love it and it’s doing great! I think he got stressed and separated hisself as a defensive mechanism.

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Thanks for the info everyone

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Best guess is all 3 pieces will be viable. Many types of worms/slugs/cucumbers can and do reproduce by segmenting.
As an example, I have a Tiger tail cucumber that segmented... Now I have 5.....

Wow... amazing! My only worry is will the other pieces eventually grow a mouth? Will it be able to eat anything without one?

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Also was wondering what I should do about the real small pieces that don’t seem to be doing anything. How do I know if it’s dying and should remove it from the tank? I don’t want to remove it too soon if it’s going to live but also don’t want it to start dying in my tank and kill everything else..

 

[BestMomEver]

This can help you

Sincerely Lasse

I don’t plan on buying one of these, but I really learned a lot when I read the article you referenced. Thanks for the link!

 

[Lasse]

I don’t plan on buying one of these, but I really learned a lot when I read the article you referenced. Thanks for the link!

Yes it was great. I had not read it before but I did as I usally do - use Google and see if something good showing up. Read it - and I think that many people should read it - and found that it was realy good.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Lasse]

Also was wondering what I should do about the real small pieces that don’t seem to be doing anything. How do I know if it’s dying and should remove it from the tank? I don’t want to remove it too soon if it’s going to live but also don’t want it to start dying in my tank and kill everything else..

I do not think they will toxificate your tank if they die. But take them up in small jar and observe for a week (change water now and then)

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Donald Gilliss]

UPDATE: so the emperor shrimp that was with the worm in display tank has left the worm and roaming the tank by himself, currently can’t see the worm anywhere... is this a problem? The way I understand they need each other to live

 

[vetteguy53081]

medusa is a form of cucumber rather than a work which has a sticky surface and can literally bond itself back together but no guarantee. They can contain toxins, so do not try to move it if you see it again.
If you have crabs in your tank, chances are they tried to dismantle it but gave up due to its stick skin.

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Yeah I just figured worm was easier and shorter lol but I haven’t seen the crabs mess with him, he separated as soon as I added him to the tank too

 

[Donald Gilliss]

Can an emperor shrimps live while nothing is hosting it? He left the Medusa worm/cucumber and is on a rock by himself, I’m kinda worried about him