Hitchhiker ID

Arcticfirefighter · Jul 25, 2018

Good morning, my daughter noticed a new "critter" in the tank this morning. We placed this live rock in the tank three days ago, and today is the first day it popped out. Any idea what it may be?

Reeferdood · Jul 25, 2018

Does it move? Can't identify from this pictures..

Arcticfirefighter · Jul 25, 2018

Reeferdood said:
Does it move? Can't identify from this pictures..

Yes, it moves but I can't tell if its moving or just being moved by the flow. I will see if I can take a video.

Arcticfirefighter · Jul 25, 2018

Arcticfirefighter said:
Yes, it moves but I can't tell if its moving or just being moved by the flow. I will see if I can take a video.

Here is a link to the video.

Neo Jeo · Jul 25, 2018

I think it's called a peanut worm. I had a huge one in my tank long time ago. I found it snacking on my zoas and such. I grabbed him with some tongs and got him out! They come out at night normally and are very fast to retract back into it's hole.

Arcticfirefighter · Jul 25, 2018

Neo Jeo said:
I think it's called a peanut worm. I had a huge one in my tank long time ago. I found it snacking on my zoas and such. I grabbed him with some tongs and got him out! They come out at night normally and are very fast to retract back into it's hole.

Hmm... Well this one picked a good spot then, he is kind of under a rock and will be hard to grab. He is also extremely small, maybe an inch long that I can see and thinner than a strand of angel hair pasta.

Gareth elliott · Jul 25, 2018

Based on movement looks like a digitate hydroid to me.

Neo Jeo · Jul 25, 2018

I think a digital hydro is has bumps in it? Or things kinda coming out of it.

WannaBSpaghetti · Jul 25, 2018

Not too sure about the Peanut Worm ID. They usually settle in places with lower flow and are very skittish with both light and movement - I dont think I've ever seen one get blown around so aggressively and not immediately retract.

Gareth elliott · Jul 25, 2018

Digitate hydroid

Neo Jeo · Jul 25, 2018

WannaBSpaghetti said:
Not too sure about the Peanut Worm ID. They usually settle in places with lower flow and are very skittish with both light and movement - I dont think I've ever seen one get blown around so aggressively and not immediately retract.

Mine to use go all over the place and snack on stuff . He was in the middle of the tank

Arcticfirefighter · Jul 25, 2018

This one is not shy at all to flow or light. Although it just randomly retracts into the rock.

WannaBSpaghetti · Jul 25, 2018

Arcticfirefighter said:
This one is not shy at all to flow or light. Although it just randomly retracts into the rock.

When it retracts, does it seem to be folding into itself? Most Peanut worms have bands - are they pulling backwards into the hole or does it look like the worm is tucking into itself with the bands staying where they are until pulled into the "mouth"?

Arcticfirefighter · Jul 25, 2018

WannaBSpaghetti said:
When it retracts, does it seem to be folding into itself? Most Peanut worms have bands - are they pulling backwards into the hole or does it look like the worm is tucking into itself with the bands staying where they are until pulled into the "mouth"?

I am not sure, once it went back in its hole it has not come back out again. I didn't see when it retracted. I will try and watch it next time to see how it retracts.