Identification help needed with worm?

[hoembi]

Hi all,

I found a pretty large worm in my aquarium and was wondering if this will turn into a problem. I have no idea where it came from and how long it has been in there. Saw it for the first time tonight.

 

[Jacaine]

Bristol worm.

 

[fishface NJ]

yup bristle worm

 

[JamesZ.]

looks like a bristle worm or fire worm as people call it. If you decide to remove it use tongs don't touch it. They aren't aggressive, but they will bite and the little hair looking things will penetrate your skin.

 

[Jacaine]

Bristol worm.

Hi all,

I found a pretty large worm in my aquarium and was wondering if this will turn into a problem. I have no idea where it came from and how long it has been in there. Saw it for the first time tonight.

Good addition to your clean up crew.

 

[attiland]

+1 for Bristol worm.

looks like a bristle worm or fire worm as people call it. If you decide to remove it use tongs don't touch it. They aren't aggressive, but they will bite and the little hair looking things will penetrate your skin.

It is not a fireworm

Bristle Worms - Fireworms - Polychaete

What is a bristleworm and a fireworm? Learn the difference between the two as well as the types of saltwater bristleworms and fireworm identification guide.

arcreef.com

 

[WheatToast]

+1 for Bristle worm.
It is not a fireworm

Bristle Worms - Fireworms - Polychaete

What is a bristleworm and a fireworm? Learn the difference between the two as well as the types of saltwater bristleworms and fireworm identification guide.

arcreef.com

Agreed! Fireworms have red “tufts” on the bases of their bristles.

 

[hoembi]

Thanks for all the quick answers. I was freaking out a little bit since I had never seen any worm and then this large one showed up.

But glad to read that it is a bristle worm. Reverse image search suggested that but I'd rather ask fellow tank owner.

Always good to have another member to clean up the tank.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Thanks for all the quick answers. I was freaking out a little bit since I had never seen any worm and then this large one showed up.

But glad to read that it is a bristle worm. Reverse image search suggested that but I'd rather ask fellow tank owner.

Always good to have another member to clean up the tank.

Have you got another pic of the worm, I dnt think it is a common bristle worm

 

[vetteguy53081]

These are not welcomed in any of my tanks but many do welcome them to keep sandbed aerated/loose. It’s not uncommon to have bristle worms for a while without ever noticing them. They are generally nocturnal and emerge from their rock or sand shelter when the lights are off.
Bristle worms are scavengers eating the leftovers made by other tank inhabitants and plants, which is also known as detritus. Ask any bristle worm what its favorite food is and they would say . . . fish poo, decaying or dead fish, leftovers from the last meal and other tasty debris.

 

[hoembi]

I added a second picture below. At the moment i cannot find it anymore (it moved back to the live rock and fake plants).

 

[attiland]

These are not welcomed in any of my tanks but many do welcome them to keep sandbed aerated/loose. It’s not uncommon to have bristle worms for a while without ever noticing them. They are generally nocturnal and emerge from their rock or sand shelter when the lights are off.
Bristle worms are scavengers eating the leftovers made by other tank inhabitants and plants, which is also known as detritus. Ask any bristle worm what its favorite food is and they would say . . . fish poo, decaying or dead fish, leftovers from the last meal and other tasty debris.

Haha not welcomed in my tank either if they get bigger than 10cm and they show up too early in the evening. And if they would show themselves day time than that’s it they are granted.

 

[sixty_reefer]

I added a second picture below. At the moment i cannot find it anymore (it moved back to the live rock and fake plants).

Ideally you want to see the head for a full id. The worm shown in the pic doesn’t have the black line that the common good bristle worm have, she also looks huge.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Haha not welcomed in my tank either if they get bigger than 10cm and they show up too early in the evening. And if they would show themselves day time than that’s it they are granted.

They'll get to 20" easily if well fed. I pulled a 17": one from a past 360g when I was transferring to the 660,

 

[attiland]

They'll get to 20" easily if well fed. I pulled a 17": one from a past 360g when I was transferring to the 660,

Just to show off I had a 30cm one. It is sun dried now.

 

[hoembi]

Ideally you want to see the head for a full id. The worm shown in the pic doesn’t have the black line that the common good bristle worm have, she also looks huge.

I will try to see if it comes out later again and snap another pic. If not I'll have to wait for the weekend before I have some time to take out the live rock and some plants to get access to that area.

Will report back if I am able to get a better shot of it.

 

[hoembi]

Ideally you want to see the head for a full id. The worm shown in the pic doesn’t have the black line that the common good bristle worm have, she also looks huge.

I got a snapshot of it but unfortunately not the head. Although there is a black line along the back of the worm. Is that the black line to our were referring to?

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

I added a second picture below. At the moment i cannot find it anymore (it moved back to the live rock and fake plants).

Way to big for my liking. I would kill it so hard it died to death

 

[crazyreefergirl]

Hard to tell. one way to find out for sure. Touch it, if brittles got all over your hand it's brittle worm. It's fire worm if you feel the stinking sensation.

 

[attiland]

I got a snapshot of it but unfortunately not the head. Although there is a black line along the back of the worm. Is that the black line to our were referring to?

Still +1 for Bristol worm.