Bristleworm or something worse?

cshouston · Sep 29, 2020

I found this critter in the wet paper that was attached to some new live rock. I thought it was a bristleworm at first, but then I noticed the spikes. I haven’t seen one like this before, but it’s definitely not going in my tank, whatever it is. Can anyone ID it?

homer1475 · Sep 29, 2020

No idea, and certainly not a common bristle. I know someone that might! @KJ

spideybry · Sep 29, 2020

Depending on the mouth area, it could be a bobbit worm. Bobbits usually have a jaw structure going on along with specific antennae on the head.

TnFishwater98 · Sep 29, 2020

cshouston said:
I found this critter in the wet paper that was attached to some new live rock. I thought it was a bristleworm at first, but then I noticed the spikes. I haven’t seen one like this before, but it’s definitely not going in my tank, whatever it is. Can anyone ID it?

Scary

vetteguy53081 · Sep 29, 2020

Sure not a bristleworm but rather a young fireworm. Even if wrong- discard
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Only worms welcomed in my tank are the ones i put in there which is NONE!

a4edwin · Sep 29, 2020

Burn your house and run!!!

cshouston · Sep 29, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Sure not a bristleworm but rather a young fireworm. Even if wrong- discard
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Only worms welcomed in my tank are the ones i put in there which is NONE!

Good call. I think you’re right and it’s Eurythoe complanata. There’s an image of one out of water and it looks very similar to this worm. Apparently, the bristles are just adhered together because it’s outside of water, making them look like spikes. The eyes also give it away.

Regardless, it certainly wasn’t going into the tank. I’m just glad I didn’t touch it while checking the paper for any good hitchhikers. I was wearing nitrile gloves, but had taken them off just prior to finding this thing and neglected to put a new pair on.