Do I need to get this out? Super fast worm..

[TinyReefObsession]

Never seen this one before (have read through the common hitchhikers guides a couple times- apologies if I overlooked it!). Anyone know if it’s a worth tearing my tank apart to get it out? lol I tried to catch this guy, but it’s super fast! ..looks like a tiny string of pearls but i see tiny bristles/ legs? in one of the pics. TIA!

 

[TinyReefObsession]

Found this thread … but no definitive answer and not sure if we have the same worm- looks like it definitely could be! Either way sounds like it’s harmless… hopefully someone can confirm.. thanks!

Long Skinny White Worms

I've noticed these worms a few times on the rock but today is the first time I've been able to get a good look at one on the glass. Seems way to smooth to be a bristle worm, but isn't flat like a flatworm. After being on the glass for a while it went down into the sand. It looks like there might...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[kjkszpj9]

i saw 1 identical to yours peeking out from a small hole covered in coralline algae, it retracts in its hole after a few seconds of being out.

 

[TinyReefObsession]

i saw 1 identical to yours peeking out from a small hole covered in coralline algae, it retracts in its hole after a few seconds of being out.

That’s so interesting: that’s coralline algae on the glass there that mine is crawling through! clearly they have a preference for it! Haha i leave that part of the glass alone since my amphipods like to lay eggs in the build up… yesterday I saw a tube laying on the sand (empty tubes appear in my tank and tiny anemones and inverts seem to enjoy them) right below this pic, and a little worm head sticking out but couldn’t see well enough to confirm it was this guy again lol strange that nobody has ID’d them yet!

 

[TinyReefObsession]

so

i saw 1 identical to yours peeking out from a small hole covered in coralline algae, it retracts in its hole after a few seconds of being out.

so i’m going to say these guys are detritivores based on seeing this second one spend the day in the muckiest part of the tank lol it’s squeezed between the powerhead and the glass, chilling with the amphipods & asterinas doesn’t seem to bother anyone

 

[kjkszpj9]

updating this have seen a few more one lives under my ricordea and stretches out to grab fish flakes that i feed everyday so i can just say they seem pretty harmless and retracts in scared when anything touches it including my fire shrimp/hermit crabs

 

[kjkszpj9]

updating this have seen a few more one lives under my ricordea and stretches out to grab fish flakes that i feed everyday so i can just say they seem pretty harmless and retracts in scared when anything touches it including my fire shrimp/hermit crabs

They look like caterpillars and has like no tentacles on their head.