Bobbit Worm?

Rick Krejci · Apr 1, 2018

Saw this little guy pop out of my live rock today. There was an urchin nearby his home and he wasn't liking it. He'd pop out of a couple of holes in the rock.

Looks like a Bobbit worm to me. It's tiny now (that Feather duster in background is max 1/8" dia), but I assume I need to get him out of there sooner rather than later. I'm afraid he's small enough that if I put him in the sump he'll be able to ride up the return unscathed.

Any ideas on how to catch him and what to do with him?

Thanks!!!

ChiCity · Apr 1, 2018

It is a Bobbit!
So nasty!!
There’s a bunch of r2r’s that would gladly take that off of your hands

DSC reef · Apr 1, 2018

@Shadowbass

SAPPER · Apr 1, 2018

Its definitely a Eunice, not sure about that one but I had 2 in my last tank. I did some research and at the time I could of told you what Eunice species I had, but over the years I have forgotten. Out of 220 species I was lucky. My two were red with a white band below the head and a maximum size of 15cm. They didnt have big jaws hidden behind their palps instead they had a black spike at each side. I decided to leave them in the display and they ended up as good cuc. They were scared stiff of the fish if they went near the worms.

Rick Krejci · Apr 1, 2018

They are pretty cool and I wouldn't mind keeping him around if I knew he wouldn't hurt anything. Reading around, I find conflicting information about whether they are harmful to corals/fish. Any experiences, positive or negative, would be appreciated.

Thanks!

SAPPER · Apr 1, 2018

A lot of people on here will say get rid and burn it with fire as it will destroy your tank and then eat you..... etc...
But the truth is some of those people who would say that have had a Eunice in their tank for years, but they have not seen it yet. It is a risk keeping it your best off trying to find out its species and find out its size and if anyone has been successful with one. I found that there is not much information on them in detail. It seem there are two types sand dwelling and rock dwellers, the sand dwellers seem to be the big jawed fish pouncers.... that' my opinion nothing in stone.

Rick Krejci · Apr 1, 2018

This one is definitely a rock dweller. He's about 10" above the sand. He had to come in on my Live Rock. I've not seen more than his head, but you can tell he has a reddish iridescence from the pics. I was quite lucky to get the shots I did, since he doesn't stay out long. I have fairly large snails and no shrimp and the tuxedo urchins. So far everyone's fine together, but again, the thing is quite small, probably less than 1/8" diameter and no idea how long. Would love to ID him so I can rest easier.

saltyfilmfolks · Apr 1, 2018

You’ll want that out I belive.
The mouth only gets bigger.

@Wiz

KJ · Apr 1, 2018

Leodice torquata?

Rick Krejci · Apr 2, 2018

Thanks everyone! I suppose I'll try yo get him out of there before trouble ensues. May try the soda water method or H2O2 to flush him out of there since I know where he lives. I think he may be a little small for the PVC fishing string noose trap idea. I put s little piece of shrimp in a nearby hole to attract him out so I could ID, but I think he got it when I wan't looking, along with some brittle stars who got a treat.