Please help ID this slug?

[ReefMeUpScotty]

This is off of live rock from the Gulf of Mexico. Is it a small slug? It has spiny soft extensions around it and doesn’t seem harmful by just looking at it.. I want to know if I should put it in my display reef tank or give him to someone with a mantis shrimp I found recently.

 

[ReefMeUpScotty]

Here’s a top view

 

[Dennis McGrath]

Looks like a fat bristle worm to me.

 

[WV Reefer]

This is off of live rock from the Gulf of Mexico. Is it a small slug? It has spiny soft extensions around it and doesn’t seem harmful by just looking at it.. I want to know if I should put it in my display reef tank or give him to someone with a mantis shrimp I found recently.

I’d keep it....... but I have a very lenient hitchhiker policy.

 

[ReefMeUpScotty]

Looks like a fat bristle worm to me.

That’s what I though but I haven’t seen enough baby ones. It doesn’t look like bristles that sting though. The extensions look like small antenna all over almost. And it’s slow and sticks like a snail to the side.

 

[reef lover]

Maybe a little cuke. Cute mantis.;Joyful

 

[cracker]

I saw that pic, & was thinking that's a lot of critters ! It must be what Gulf rock? A Mantis is standard for all gulf rock. LOL

 

[ReefMeUpScotty]

I saw that pic, & was thinking that's a lot of critters ! It must be what Gulf rock? A Mantis is standard for all gulf rock. LOL

Yes sir! I’ve never seen so many critters on a rock before it’s pretty cool and makes me happy I put the rock in a tub to see what’s on it first before I put it in my display.

 

[cristata.reef]

Yep it's a cucumber. Similar to those in the genus Eupentacta which we have here in the Eastern Pacific (West Coast of the US). Not sure if the genus extends into the Caribbean though. Anyways it's a cuc

 

[Eastlake]

I love that mantis! Are you setting up a tank for that 'lil critter or finding him/her a new home? I found one like that years ago on vacation and I think I snorkeled around its burrow everyday watching it peep in and out.

 

[ReefMeUpScotty]

I love that mantis! Are you setting up a tank for that 'lil critter or finding him/her a new home? I found one like that years ago on vacation and I think I snorkeled around its burrow everyday watching it peep in and out.

Oh I bet it was really cool seeing it in it’s natural habitat! I do t have a separate tank for him but someone locally wanted to come pick him up but haven’t heard from them. So if anyone wants him I’d be willing to ship or if anyone’s around Tampa! I’m hoping to find someone in the next few days for this guy

 

[ReefMeUpScotty]

Yep it's a cucumber. Similar to those in the genus Eupentacta which we have here in the Eastern Pacific (West Coast of the US). Not sure if the genus extends into the Caribbean though. Anyways it's a cuc

Do you think it would be wise to put him in a 65g? I know they’re poisonous but this guys like half an inch long. Would he be harmful if he died or got picked on?

 

[cristata.reef]

Do you think it would be wise to put him in a 65g? I know they’re poisonous but this guys like half an inch long. Would he be harmful if he died or got picked on?

Pretty much all cucumbers have a form of toxins within their body as a means of chemical defense against predators. I would say it'd be safe if it managed to find a burrow in a rock or something. What's in the tank rn?

 

[ReefMeUpScotty]

Pretty much all cucumbers have a form of toxins within their body as a means of chemical defense against predators. I would say it'd be safe if it managed to find a burrow in a rock or something. What's in the tank rn?

Right now the two I’m worried about nipping at it or eating it is a Valentini puffer that has yet to eat any snails or hermit crabs, he only eats flakes/frozen/pellets/algae sheets and a Sailfin Tang. The other fish: 2 snowflake clowns, yellow watchman goby, Pom Pom crab (possibly still there), cleaner shrimp, 4 chromis and a royal gramma.

 

[cristata.reef]

Right now the two I’m worried about nipping at it or eating it is a Valentini puffer that has yet to eat any snails or hermit crabs, he only eats flakes/frozen/pellets/algae sheets and a Sailfin Tang. The other fish: 2 snowflake clowns, yellow watchman goby, Pom Pom crab (possibly still there), cleaner shrimp, 4 chromis and a royal gramma.

Oh I can see where that puffer might cause problems. Do you have a sump?

 

[Enoplus]

The worm is a fireworm, Hermodice carunculata it might eat corals in your tank if you have any, I know they eat gorgonians and curlique anemones at least. I really doubt it could harm your fish, they don't have teeth like bobbit worms, they just have this toothless proboscis to swallow food. I think they're really cool and underappreciated animals, it also will help clean up uneaten foods.

 

[cristata.reef]

The worm is a fireworm, Hermodice carunculata it might eat corals in your tank if you have any, I know they eat gorgonians and curlique anemones at least. I really doubt it could harm your fish, they don't have teeth like bobbit worms, they just have this toothless proboscis to swallow food. I think they're really cool and underappreciated animals, it also will help clean up uneaten foods.

Agreed it's a fireworm and the first real one I've actually seen on these forums. One more thing to add they are the literal worst things to accidently touch

 

[ReefMeUpScotty]

The worm is a fireworm, Hermodice carunculata it might eat corals in your tank if you have any, I know they eat gorgonians and curlique anemones at least. I really doubt it could harm your fish, they don't have teeth like bobbit worms, they just have this toothless proboscis to swallow food. I think they're really cool and underappreciated animals, it also will help clean up uneaten foods.

I found a fireworm in the rocks that’s about 5 inches. This guy seems more of a slug though, he doesn’t have bristles but small almost starfish feet like tentacles all over and just sticks to the glass or bottom. And has two grayish black stripes down the top. There were multiple kinds of bristle worms on the rock with this guy though..

Here’s a pic of the fireworm and mantis I found. This slug guy should be in it too