Crazy centipede looking thing

wangspeed · May 15, 2018

This is in my invert QT. Not sure what to do about it just yet. This thing came out when I dumped some food in the tank. It really moves like a centipede! One of my most hated bugs.

Palyzoa · May 15, 2018

Possible bobbit worm maybe

wangspeed · May 15, 2018

Ugh. Is this a baby bobbit? The antenna are long and sort of straight forward. Not off to the sides. Either way, I’m afraid I may have no choice but to burn the tank and all of its contents.

Palyzoa · May 15, 2018

lol im not positive based on the pictures maybe you could get a clearer pic?

Skynyrd Fish · May 15, 2018

Put your finger by it. If it tries to eat it its a bobbit.

Mikedawg · May 15, 2018

Maybe a skeleton shrimp?

wangspeed · May 15, 2018

Mikedawg said:
Maybe a skeleton shrimp?

Don't think so. Mine has a lot of legs. It really does look like an underwater centipede. Right down to the long front antennae.

c.poindexter · May 15, 2018

I am also leaning toward a bobbit worm.

cristata.reef · May 16, 2018

I agree it is likely a bobbit worm (or at least some type of eunicid worm) by default since myriapods (centipedes, millipedes, etc) cannot tolerate salinity. The only thing that confused me is how dorsally flattened it is and the curvature of the appendages. But there's only one way to know for certain.... @wangspeed if you're up to the task, catching it would be great for us (and you since it won't be in your tank anymore)

Rispa · May 16, 2018

Haha catch it and sell it on here. Maybe one of the specialists will buy it and rear it.

cristata.reef · May 16, 2018

Rispa said:
Haha catch it and sell it on here. Maybe one of the specialists will buy it and rear it.

Lol I'm that kind of person. I keep the weirdest things (or at least I used too). I wish I had a spare 10 gallon set up or something so I could have a hitchhiker tank again.

Rispa · May 16, 2018

Sonofives said:
Lol I'm that kind of person. I keep the weirdest things (or at least I used too). I wish I had a spare 10 gallon set up or something so I could have a hitchhiker tank again.

Come on they don't take much room. Put one on a bathroom counter or build a shelf for one. I want to see what this guy grows into, but I don't think I would do caring for it justice as I'm only just reaquainting myself with the hobby.

reef lover · May 16, 2018

#reefsquad

wangspeed · May 16, 2018

I’ll try to get a video if the devil pops out again, and maybe catch it. I don’t know what I’d do if I caught it. This is already the invert QT.

wangspeed · May 16, 2018

Let’s see if this loop pic works

wangspeed · May 16, 2018

Ok. How about YT video.

Lovemyreef2015 · May 16, 2018

It is part of the Isopoda family. I'm leaning towards cleantis phryganaea. Can you get a good top down picture?

wangspeed · May 16, 2018

This looks like it!

https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=13171

Good/bad? Looks like it stays small. Some trochus snails have died in QT. Not sure if this guy can be blamed. It's possible there isn't enough algae.

Lovemyreef2015 · May 16, 2018

wangspeed said:
This looks like it!

https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=13171

Good/bad? Looks like it stays small. Some trochus snails have died in QT. Not sure if this guy can be blamed. It's possible there isn't enough algae.

It's not this specific one. Maybe close to it. I ID one awhile back and the antenna look completely different (from picture) and I've seen yellow tan and Amber colored ones but never black. Can you get a top down picture to help with an ID?