Medium large worm

[TeeJay87]

I couldn’t match it to any of the worms in the common critter sticky (i.e. did not appear to be a bristle, fireworm, or bobbit), but I have zero experience identifying worms. Set up my tank by starting with live rock and sand from the gulf (Tampa Bay Saltwater) about a month ago. This is the first I’ve seen of this worm this morning when the lights came on, so I think it is nocturnal. What do you think it is? Thanks!

 

[AJsReef]

Hard to tell from the picture but looks like a bristleworm to me

 

[TeeJay87]

Thanks; I was ruling that out as I thought bristleworms had lots of thinner, closely-spaced legs and the legs on the pictured worm seem to me to be fewer, thicker and more separated than the bristleworm.

 

[IKD]

Doesn’t look like a typical bristle worm but could be in the same family. I would isolate for now until you know if it’s a predator to fish/corals.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is far from a bristleworm and is in the Genus Pareurythoe which is a Amphinoid rellated to fireworm.

 

[TeeJay87]

This is far from a bristleworm and is in the Genus Pareurythoe which is a Amphinoid rellated to fireworm.

Thanks so much! I was googling the genus you provided and I found this site which seems super helpful for identifying worms. Seems like your suggestion Genus Pareurythoe is a near perfect match with the picture. The site says that all but 1 genus of the fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) are perfectly harmless and actually helpful in aquariums. Thanks again!

Worm Hitch Hikers

The identification of Worms found within live rock and live sand

chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net

Edit: So I'll be leaving it in the aquarium, but if you have any concerns, please let me know.