Please identify this critter and advise

MisterrBee · Feb 20, 2024

Can someone identify this worm that has come in on a finger coral please. Is it a problem and how would I deal with it if so.

MoshJosh · Feb 20, 2024

Almost looks like a brittle star, but hard for me to tell. You know what they say, when in doubt take it out. I would try to gently remove, if it is a brittle star I would put back, if a worm I would probably toss.

WalkerLovesTheOcean · Feb 20, 2024

Looks to me like a bristle worm, though it's hard to tell

If it's a bristle worm, they are generally harmless, though if you touch them with bare hands, the bristles can get into you and cause some pretty decent pain. They can bite. Many people don't like the looks of them and remove them, including me. They are a good addition to your CUCm

WalkerLovesTheOcean · Feb 20, 2024

Yeah, forgot to mention, I would take it out and take a pic, so it easier to identify.

MisterrBee · Feb 20, 2024

WalkerLoves_TheOcean said:
Yeah, forgot to mention, I would take it out and take a pic, so it easier to identify.

I have tried taking it out with some tweezers but it's very brittle and breaks to small pieces. Would a peroxide dip work?

WalkerLovesTheOcean · Feb 20, 2024

MisterrBee said:
I have tried taking it out with some tweezers but it's very brittle and breaks to small pieces. Would a peroxide dip work?

Oh god, that sounds gross. If it's a bristle worm, they can grow back from a small pieces, so that is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on if you like them or not...

MisterrBee · Feb 20, 2024

WalkerLoves_TheOcean said:
Oh god, that sounds gross. If it's a bristle worm, they can grow back from a small pieces, so that is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on if you like them or not...

I'm new to saltwater aquariums so I'm not sure at this point. I'll have to do some research!