Please help with worm ID. Unique too

[Timich]

Found 2 of these in my tank. Caught one. Haven't ever seen anything like it before or find anything online since finding it in my tank. Moves like a snake or eel. Redish color with white spots. Anyone have a clue what it could be? Please help. Thanks in advance

 

[blaxsun]

Anything bright red is never good...

 

[austibella]

Found 2 of these in my tank. Caught one. Haven't ever seen anything like it before or find anything online since finding it in my tank. Moves like a snake or eel. Redish color with white spots. Anyone have a clue what it could be? Please help. Thanks in advance

Never seen anything like it. Try to save it till you find out.

 

[Isopod80]

Quite possibly a variety of ribbon worm. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are predators of other smaller organisms.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like a Hesionidae worm which feeds on polychaetes and other small crustaceans

 

[blaxsun]

Quite possibly a variety of ribbon worm. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are predators of other smaller organisms.

I was just going to suggest it might be a ribbon worm after looking at some images. I'm not sure which specific one, as there are apparently close to 1800 varieties...

 

[Isopod80]

Here's an example of a similar ribbon worm. You said that it moves like a snake. Ribbon worms are known for this because they lack the "appendages" clearly visible in Hesionidae, which are similar to common bristleworms in this regard. Ribbon worms are smooth bodied.

 

[austibella]

Here's an example of a similar ribbon worm. You said that it moves like a snake. Ribbon worms are known for this because they lack the "appendages" clearly visible in Hesionidae, which are similar to common bristleworms in this regard. Ribbon worms are smooth bodied.

Pretty are they reef safe.

 

[austibella]

Pretty are they reef safe.

I looked back at the picks the one from the tank looks like circles not ribbons

 

[Isopod80]

They are called ribbon worms due to the shape of the overall worm not the pattern. As I mentioned, there are many diverse colors and patterns. As far as reef safe, they aren't known to harm coral. They are however predatory and many varieties can grow to large sizes. The bigger the worm the bigger the appetite and potential prey. I personally wouldn't allow them in my tank. They can put a serious dent in the populations of other beneficial organisms. On a few occasions over the years I've actually seen a large and colorful individual for sale at lfs shops. Obviously they came in as hitchhikers and the shop figured someone would be interested. They can be very pretty after all. I suppose in a FOWLR system one could make an interesting conversation piece if supplementally fed. I wouldn't trust one in a reef tank.