Hitchhiker

[ianparky]

Anyone know what this mass of tangled stripey legs are got bunches of them in rocks and sand

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Spaghetti worm.

 

[Wiz]

could be but its really play hard to tell

 

[Lionfish Lair]

All you need to see are a spaghetti worms legs, when they are that color/pattern. Those legs belong to a spaghetti worm. Like peeps can ID microbrittlestars sticking out their legs.... so can these.

 

[Wiz]

cool. I am by no means an expert. But I have had spaghetti worms in my tank as well as other types of worms and this appears that it could be one of a few. To me. But if you are sure I'll take your word

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I'm honestly sure what it is.

 

[Tahoe61]

I'm honestly sure what it is.

^ Yup.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Spaghetti worms are just a common name for a vast amount of similar critters. Most of the time hair worms are called spaghettis and they are all together a different beast.

But maybe these photos will help.

 

[ianparky]

Yeah think thats what it is..seen 1 of those on the glass a while back

 

[Lionfish Lair]

You'll see spaghetti worms on the glass, when they are disturbed. They make more permanent tubes and are not into moving, if life is good. Because they are in these tubes, their bushy gills and many feeding tentacles come out of the top. What people often see climbing on the glass more often, are hair worms. They don't have any permanent structures, so they are more apt to move around. Their gills are found all along their body and only 2 tentacles are for feeding. You can see many little red legs just poking up, out of a larger area of the substrate, while lying almost horizontal.

That's probably more than you wanted to know...... LOL!

 

[Wiz]

So the pic originally posted is a hair worm not a spaghetti worm then correct?

 

[Wiz]

Is this right or wrong? Marine worms.
Cuz if its right, that is clearly a hair worm.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

So the pic originally posted is a hair worm not a spaghetti worm then correct?

No, the original one that is yellow with stripes, is a spaghetti.

I see how I didn't say that clear. When the OP said he saw some on the glass, they could have been hairworms. Every now and then you'll see a Spaghetti on there, but usually it's the hair.

 

[Wiz]

The legs appear thicker, clearly yellow with black bands, all pointed in one directon and are free flowing and few in number. From what I can tell a spaghetti worm would have more legs which are thinner, usually white with less obvious bands, and stuck to the rocks or substrate.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

What links can we put on here? Any from online "magazines" that are known to be connected to a large forum?

Actually, look for Ron Shimek. Some of his stuff doesn't belong to any one site.


Am I allowed to say that? Don't want to break any rules.

 

[Wiz]

it seems to me it's hard to tell without seeing the actual worm. but I don't mean to argue. And both are OK for your tank so I guess it doesn't matter. :-D

 

[Wiz]

Hope my link doesn't break any rules. Didnt mean to. just thought it was apropriate to the convo and clearly shows both types. If it did I appolagize.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Yes, both are fine. Ron Shimek trumps other sites. He's a Phd of all things critters.

 

[Wiz]

Good to know ill check it out. thanks

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Hope my link doesn't break any rules. Didnt mean to. just thought it was apropriate to the convo and clearly shows both types. If it did I appolagize.

LOL! And here I am asking you what's allowed. LOL! Chuck isn't associated with a forum, so he should be ok.