What in the world is this?

[Rham1281]

These look like tiny little worms. They're orange and blue and they seem like they retract and extend.
Any ideas?

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Definitely not safron

 

[AydenLincoln]

Spaghetti worms! Harmless detritus feeders.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

AydenLincoln beat me to it - spaghetti worm (taxonomic family Terebellidae). Harmless/beneficial.

 

[Rham1281]

Spaghetti worms! Harmless detritus feeders.

Hot dang fish tanks are cool.

Thanks for the help!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Spaghetti worms live in tubes, not substrate. These are hair worms, taxonomic family Cirratulidae.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

"The terebellids live in tubes in sediments, rocks, or debris, and do not normally leave the tubes. The only parts of the worm visible on the substrate surface are typically the white to slightly pinkish feeding tentacles elaborated from the head. The tentacles from larger worms are about the same size and dimensions as angel hair pasta, and give these animals their common name."

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rs/index.htm

 

[Double monti 61]

Maybe hair worms not spaghetti their is a difference.But both are good.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Maybe hair worms not spaghetti their is a difference.But both are good.

This is indeed spaghetti and eats both uneaten food and detritus and reef safe although its creeps some reefers out

 

[Double monti 61]

Read a book they are different.

 

[Coinzmans Reef]

At first glance they look like the arms of Brittle stars to me. My brittle stars are 1/2" and have no spines on the arms that are visible to my eye. My stars send up thier arms looking for food, rarely will you see their entire body exposed.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Spaghetti worms live in tubes, not substrate. These are hair worms, taxonomic family Cirratulidae.

Most spaghetti worms do, yes (though a few don't - such as those from the genera Polycirrus and Amaeana - and a few have their tubes constructed under the substrate).

Either way, though, you're right, my initial post does warrant correction: this is most likely a hair worm (Cirritulidae) as mentioned.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Most spaghetti worms do, yes (though a few don't - such as those from the genera Polycirrus and Amaeana - and a few have their tubes constructed under the substrate).

Either way, though, you're right, my initial post does warrant correction: this is most likely a hair worm (Cirritulidae) as mentioned.

You have your taxonomy a little mixed up ;)

The Order Terebellida includes the Families Terebellidae, Polycirridae, and Cirratulidae. The family Polycirridae contains the Genera Amaeana and Polycirrus, among others, neither of which are commonly (or even uncommonly) found in the aquarium hobby.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

You have your taxonomy a little mixed up ;)

The Order Terebellida includes the Families Terebellidae, Polycirridae, and Cirratulidae. The family Polycirridae contains the Genera Amaeana and Polycirrus, among others, neither of which are commonly (or even uncommonly) found in the aquarium hobby.

Actually, the family Polycirridae is unaccepted taxonomically: it’s currently considered the tribe Polycirrini in the Terrbellidae family.

WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Polycirrini Malmgren, 1866

www.marinespecies.org

Edit: also, to add, both genera, Amaeana and Polycirrus, have species found in waters where they could come in on live rock, so while I can’t confirm any of these are in someone’s aquarium, it also wouldn’t surprise me to find someone has them.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

And here's a photo of an Amaeana