what the heck is this thing?! =O

Pens · May 7, 2019

So, I was feeding my tank last night and took a look at one of my blue leg hermit crabs and saw these weird tentacle like things on the rear of his shell. The flow was off and it was grabbing stuff from the sand bed as the hermit crab was walking around, so I knew it was something that was alive. I couldn't make out what it was because I'm assuming its body is inside the shell. When I first saw this thing, I immediately remembered that one video we've all seen with the huge bobbit worm...I'm just hoping it's something harmless that'll stay that size ;Nailbiting

Pictures won't do it justice so I apologize in advance for the vertical video as I just quickly opened my camera in hopes of catching it before it disappeared into the shell or something.

There's a better shot of it at around the 0:36 second mark.

Oscaror · May 7, 2019

Pens said:
So, I was feeding my tank last night and took a look at one of my blue leg hermit crabs and saw these weird tentacle like things on the rear of his shell. The flow was off and it was grabbing stuff from the sand bed as the hermit crab was walking around, so I knew it was something that was alive. I couldn't make out what it was because I'm assuming its body is inside the shell. When I first saw this thing, I immediately remembered that one video we've all seen with the huge bobbit worm...I'm just hoping it's something harmless that'll stay that size ;Nailbiting

Pictures won't do it justice so I apologize in advance for the vertical video as I just quickly opened my camera in hopes of catching it before it disappeared into the shell or something.

There's a better shot of it at around the 0:36 second mark.

Just looks like a spaghetti worm to me, nothing to worry about

Pens · May 7, 2019

Oscaror said:
Just looks like a spaghetti worm to me, nothing to worry about

Thank you for information, I appreciate it! ;Shamefullyembarrased

User1 · May 7, 2019

It does look like a spaghetti worm as @Oscaror called it. They are harmless and a good part of the cleanup crew. They are also a good indicator with regards to your nutrient levels (if you are feeding too much). They are pretty adapt at controlling their population based on how much food is available. If you see one or two or some here and there that is good. If you see a sudden population burst it means there is more food available and they are consuming it so should dial it back.

You know it gets really bad when you start to see them floating around the water or on the sides of the glass :) So yeah they are good on many fronts. Ugly things - search the interwebz and you will see what I mean. Good luck!

Pens · May 7, 2019

saf1 said:
It does look like a spaghetti worm as @Oscaror called it. They are harmless and a good part of the cleanup crew. They are also a good indicator with regards to your nutrient levels (if you are feeding too much). They are pretty adapt at controlling their population based on how much food is available. If you see one or two or some here and there that is good. If you see a sudden population burst it means there is more food available and they are consuming it so should dial it back.

You know it gets really bad when you start to see them floating around the water or on the sides of the glass :) So yeah they are good on many fronts. Ugly things - search the interwebz and you will see what I mean. Good luck!

I looked up some pictures online and dang right they're ugly lol at least it's not a bobbit worm! I'll probably just let it be considering that they're a good part of the CUC but who knows, I might end up changing my mind if it/they get large enough lol