What type of worm is this

muclar

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Hi can anyone tell me what type of worms these are
20260204_195138_D097F15D-27E3-4F0E-82FD-1DCFF4AE1CE5.png
please just caught two small ones never seen them in the tank before
Thanks
 

Crabs McJones

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Looks like parts of a bristle worm
 

Soren

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I caught these two think they was baby’s there’s one more but cannot catch him yet thank you for your reply
I agree with Crabs McJones above that these look like regular bristleworms. In my experience and from what I found in research, it is almost impossible to have a reef tank without these in your system. They always seem to get introduced somehow and are nice cleanup crew that mostly stay out of sight.

They are a pain to handle, though, as the bristles stick in skin and are irritating/itchy and mildly painful. Avoid touching them if you can, but I think you will find it quite troublesome to try to eradicate them from your tank; it is not worth the effort.
 

JTP424

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If you have a sand bed and they were in there you probably have a ton more that are hidden in the sand and rocks.
 

Mark Goode

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I have never seen a bristleworm in my tank. I try to sneak up on them in the dark with a red flashlight, but nothing. Never so much as a glimpse. I know they are there, from tracks on the sand bed, but mine are elusive.
 
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muclar

muclar

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Thank you all for your help in finding out what they are 👍
 

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