Worm...

[Sea_Dawg]

Yesterday after I added my liverock I found a strange looking worm. It was floating around the tank, I then left and when I came back it was gone. It looked like an earthworm only it had some black hairs on it. Anyone know what it is?

 

[reefman23]

Sounds like a bristleworm. Its kinda hard without a pic though...did it look at all like this?

there are different varieties, but i would say this is the most common.

If this is what you saw, then it isnt worth worrying about too much...they are harmless (usually) scavengers. They can become a problem if they 1)get too big, 2) the population gets too big, 3)if it is a fire bristle worm...this species can eat/harm your corals.

But to make you feel better...I have them, almost everyone i know that has a reef tank has them.

HTH,

jesse

 

[mikeguerrero]

Has anyone every been stung by one of these? What does it feel like? Does it hurt?

mike

 

[reefman23]

Has anyone every been stung by one of these? What does it feel like? Does it hurt?

mike

I use my bare hands to remove the BW in my tank. I get stuck with the little white hairlike stractures...whole bunches of them...but I have yet to feel a thing. I just quickly wash my hands with soap and warm water. I wouldnt recommend anyone do this unless they know that the BW in their tank arent FIRE BRISTLE WORMS. I have heard that this species really packs a punch.

jesse

 

[skipm]

How much it hurts will depend alot on where you get stuck, the palms of our hands are fairly tough so it shouldn't hurt there alot but if you were stuck in the arm where you were reaching acrossed one it would be alot more painful. If you have an allergy to insects like bees or ants then you should be especially careful because we can have allergic reactions to critters in our tanks just as easy as the insects (chabces are much higher that you will be allergic to something in your tank if you are allergic to insect bites/stings).

 

[Sea_Dawg]

I am pretty sure it wasn't a bristleworm. Like I said it looks like an earthworm with some black hair here and there...anyone have other ideas?

 

[djconn]

Hmmm...never seen a black fuzzy worm in any of my tanks. :roll:

 

[little urchin]

here's a pic of my 'monster' bristleworm...he isn't black...but darker (and gets an oil-on-water sheen in some lights)....he is fast as they come and could be described as earthworm..ish

he is about 4mm wide and goodness knows how long...i've only ever seen him go for detritus and seaweed sheets....he seems to ignore other creatures (but that may be just when i am watching!!!)

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