Worm id

[ianparky]

Hi had my reef tank for nearly 2 yrs now.came down this morning and saw this sticking out of a hole in a rock near the back of the tank..anyone know what it is?

 

[Mike J.]

Very intrigued. Wish it was a better picture. It's not a bristle worm or fire worm. The black "fang" has me intrigued? If I had to make a guess by that picture alone I would hypothesize it is a Eunicid.
I have a protocol when finding something "strange" - catch it, put it in a specimen container, and then positively identify it. Then decide what you're going to do with it. I have learned that the hard way.

 

[ianparky]

It was in a place i could not reach back corner of tank dont know if that was the front or tail end sticking out

 

[ianparky]

Dont know if thats any clearer

 

[Mike J.]

I'm perplexed, wish you could get a clearer picture. Did you see if it was a segmented worm? Did you see any antennae? Just guessing with that picture.

 

[ianparky]

Thats all i saw of it then it went back in the hole..1st time i have seen it.

 

[ianparky]

Never seen a worm that colour before.cant even find anything online either

 

[MattL22]

It's really pretty color is it def a worm?

 

[ianparky]

Cant see it being anythin else? I look in my tank alot after lights out to look for bristle worms and to spot feed the odd coral.never seen this before..ur right tho its a nice colour..hope the bright colours dont mean poisonous haha

 

[nissanrs]

when in doubt pull it out

 

[ianparky]

It was at the back were i could not reach it.might try setting a trap

 

[ianparky]

Whats the best way to trap them?

 

[Mike J.]

Since it doesn't look to have bristles, the stocking trick won't work. Cut a bottle, put some bait in it, put the opening close to ground level next to where you saw it, and you'll have to weight it or wedge it to keep it down. Tye a string to it so you can retrieve it quickly and check it at night with a red flashlight because they can just crawl back out.

 

[bigtyme75]

looks like a Bobbitt worm had one in my tank for two years killed a number of fish

 

[ianparky]

Was it that colour?

 

[ianparky]

Will try that bottle trap tonight thanks

 

[bigtyme75]

yes it was a similar color I trapped it and took it to a marine biologist who identified it as a Bobbitt worm

 

[ianparky]

Only thing with setting a trap i have a coral banded shrimp that may attempt to steal the bait over night :(

 

[tat2z_21]

Bobbits are segmented and usually a darker color. This is strange.

 

[bigtyme75]

have you lost any small fish