Strange worm

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

I just saw this interesting worm crawling across the sand. It's moving so I'm really eager to know if I should pull it or not. Not sure when I'll see it again.

Thanks!

Lovemyreef2015 · Nov 23, 2018

Looks like a medusa worm

jabberwock · Nov 23, 2018

Yank it while you can! Keep it in a dish while the ID happens!

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

Lovemyreef2015 said:
Looks like a medusa worm

That's what I was hoping. The front does look like it, but the colors, etc are odd, but then again I've never seen one outside of internet pictures. They are good, right?

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

jabberwock said:
Yank it while you can! Keep it in a dish while the ID happens!

Good call ....

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

Got it in a flask .... not sure why I didn't think of that right away. Probably easier to get a picture now anyway.

jabberwock · Nov 23, 2018

I saw one for sale in a LFS. It was like 10 inches long. $20, and horrifying!!

Lovemyreef2015 · Nov 23, 2018

stAlphonzo said:
That's what I was hoping. The front does look like it, but the colors, etc are odd, but then again I've never seen one outside of internet pictures. They are good, right?

They are beneficial to have. I heard they release a toxin if they get stressed or die. It's up to you whether or not you want to keep it as a member of your cuc. If you choose not to keep it you can try to find it a home on here or at your local fish store. I'm sure someone will want it.

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

Yeah, looks really freaky for sure. If it's really a medusa I should consider myself lucky then. The $20 will pay for the piece of live rock that it came in on

Lovemyreef2015 · Nov 23, 2018

Is it sticky to the touch?

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

Lovemyreef2015 said:
They are beneficial to have. I heard they release a toxin if they get stressed or die. It's up to you whether or not you want to keep it as a member of your cuc. If you choose not to keep it you can try to find it a home on here or at your local fish store. I'm sure someone will want it.

Thank you! If that's what it is, I think I will keep it then ... I am willing to deal with the stress risk.

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

Lovemyreef2015 said:
Is it sticky to the touch?

Hahaha, I am not quite that brave

It does seem to have some things stuck to it though so I'm going to say, probably yes!

Lovemyreef2015 · Nov 23, 2018

stAlphonzo said:
Hahaha, I am not quite that brave

It does seem to have some things stuck to it though so I'm going to say, probably yes!

If it is sticky then it is definitely a medusa worm. Lol they do look Intimidating

stAlphonzo · Nov 23, 2018

Lovemyreef2015 said:
If it is sticky then it is definitely a medusa worm. Lol they do look Intimidating

Nice, thanks! I was just googling that very topic

It had a piece of sand stuck to it for a bit and some little bits of flake fish food since I scooped it up at feeding time. Unless someone chimes in over the morning and says differently, I think I'll toss it back and enjoy another of the amazing creatures on the reef