Red worm

[Brew12]

I'm kicking myself for missing the obvious. I used dry rock to try and prevent hitchhikers. I used packaged sand. I looked over my CuC closely before I put them in the tank.

Chaeto. I should have QT'd my dang algae. Just saw this in my sump. Am I in trouble? Cant get a good pic with my IPhone but I can try a real camera if needed. It's about 1 1/2" long.

 

[Tahoe61]

Not sure what it is, yeah need a better image.

I am fairly confident you're "not in trouble". The unknown is in the sump so that is comforting. Most hitch-hikers are benign.

 

[Brew12]

Not sure what it is, yeah need a better image.

I am fairly confident you're "not in trouble". The unknown is in the sump so that is comforting. Most hitch-hikers are benign.

I am glad it is in the sump. I can get it out fairly easily if needed. It's either in the rock or back in the ball of chaeto it came out of. Not sure which.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

not all hitchhikers are bad. Some (many most) are free clean up crew.
Our friend Renee.
http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker.shtml

It freaks some people out but my cuc in the 30g has only 3 animals that I paid for.

 

[Brew12]

not all hitchhikers are bad. Some (many most) are free clean up crew.
Our friend Renee.
http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker.shtml

It freaks some people out but my cuc in the 30g has only 3 animals that I paid for.

If I ever start up a 2nd aquarium I think I will go that route. The diversity would be very interesting. I was just trying to keep this as simple as possible to maximize my chance at success.

I did search lionfish.com but the only red worm I found on there had colored bands so I don't think that was the same thing. I found a pic on the internet that was an almost exact match but it didn't give any information on it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

if you see him again get a pic in a cup. we love id's

 

[Brew12]

if you see him again get a pic in a cup. we love id's

I went to get a container to put him in but when I got back I couldn't find him. I'll probably try and hunt him down tomorrow.

 

[Brew12]

I went and tore apart my sump and couldn't find him again. Guessing he must be deep inside some of the rock I have in there. I did find this unlabeled picture and it looks exactly like what I saw.

Anyone know if this guy is trouble?

 

[mcarroll]

Unless you have proof otherwise, assume anything wormy (or otherwise, really) is good and try to leave them undisturbed.

Sorry you went to so much trouble!

The baddies are pretty well known and very rare. He's none of them so far as I know.

For what it's worth, most of the common pests' presence is overblown if you read about them before you keep a tank. It's literally reef hypochondria, so be wary of it.

Instead, remember you paid good money for each and every beastie that makes its way into your tank....and most of them are required for anything close to a functioning ecosystem....which is part of the idea of a reef aquarium.

Again, the percentage of beasties that are pests is close to zero. I have literally never had a pest in any of my tanks...unless you count those mushrooms I put in at the beginning. :mad:

 

[Roboson]

I agree with mcarroll, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't watch it's behavior. I'd be cautious of anything unknown because if you can't find a good ID for it, it means we as a community probably don't know much about it. Let me call in the expert.

@Wiz

 

[Brew12]

I found the rock he was hiding in and have him in the skimmer section of my sump (no skimmer yet). So he is safely isolated and easily removed if needed.
I appreciate your guys help!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

We do keep worms in the compost heap after all. [emoji1]