Small white (?) worm

[banghair]

Was just staring at my tank and saw a really small worm, maybe a centimetre in size, it looks white, maybe gray, and it was moving fast. Only saw it for a few seconds.

I first saw it on my live rock, then it went on top of the sand and I lost it.

I have 5 corals, 5 hermits, 3 shrimp and 7 snails. Should I be worried? What steps should I take?


I’m planning on adding clownfish on the 24th (6 weeks after a brook issue), should I hold off?

edited to add: it moved like a snake or earth worm

second edit: it looks striped now that i’ve been able to see it longer, tried to capture picture and video as well, thought it’s a bit hard.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Was just staring at my tank and saw a really small worm, maybe a centimetre in size, it looks white, maybe gray, and it was moving fast. Only saw it for a few seconds.

I first saw it on my live rock, then it went on top of the sand and I lost it.

I have 5 corals, 5 hermits, 3 shrimp and 7 snails. Should I be worried? What steps should I take?

I’m planning on adding clownfish on the 24th (6 weeks after a brook issue), should I hold off?

Pics under white lights are very helpful in a situation like this as it can be several types such as epitoke, dorvillidae or others

 

[banghair]

Pics under white lights are very helpful in a situation like this as it can be several types such as epitoke, dorvillidae or others

it was ridiculously small, my camera wouldn’t have picked it up. i almost mistook it for hair algae.

 

[vetteguy53081]

it was ridiculously small, my camera wouldn’t have picked it up. i almost mistook it for hair algae.

Probably an epitoke

 

[banghair]

Probably an epitoke

Just found another one, they are hanging out on the rock, not sure if this video will work or is even good enough.

 

[banghair]

Just found another one, they are hanging out on the rock, not sure if this video will work or is even good enough.

Probably an epitoke

tried to get a photo too but it’s very small and hard to capture

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Love the sexy shrimp!!
The worm looks like a detritivore, although I can't tell for sure. As far as I know, small worms aren't usually bad to have.

@ISpeakForTheSeas might have a more knowledgeable answer though.

 

[banghair]

Love the sexy shrimp!!
The worm looks like a detritivore, although I can't tell for sure. As far as I know, small worms aren't usually bad to have.

@ISpeakForTheSeas might have a more knowledgeable answer though.

they are so fun, all over the tank all the time. i love them! so glad i got them

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

they are so fun, all over the tank all the time. i love them! so glad i got them

I want some when I finally set up my biocube!

 

[vetteguy53081]

tried to get a photo too but it’s very small and hard to capture

Pic fuzzy but may be dorvillidae or detritus worm

 

[banghair]

Pic fuzzy but may be dorvillidae or detritus worm

i have a video but for some reason it won’t upload

 

[vetteguy53081]

Conv

i have a video but for some reason it won’t upload

ert to you tube and upload

 

[banghair]

Conv

ert to you tube and upload

reef2reef

youtube.com

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Love the sexy shrimp!!
The worm looks like a detritivore, although I can't tell for sure. As far as I know, small worms aren't usually bad to have.

@ISpeakForTheSeas might have a more knowledgeable answer though.

Thanks for the tag! I have finally gotten around to starting learning about marine worms, but I've got a long ways to go still (worms are surprisingly diverse and complex).

The video is pretty blurry for me, but I can't see any chaetae (the "bristles" on bristle worms), which are usually pretty prominent on predatory worms. The snake-like motion eliminates a lot of other bad actor worms, so that was a good inclusion. It might not be possible but a full length shot of the worm, and particularly a shot of the worm's head (especially if it has any noticeable tentacles or a unique mouth) may be helpful for ID.

That said, while I can't tell what kind of worm it is from what I've seen, I agree that it looks like a detritivore to me, not a predator or parasite.

 

[vetteguy53081]

reef2reef

youtube.com

Looks like a syllidae or Oenonid worm but from the distance in video, hard to confirm.