Skunk cleaner shrimp Murdered ?

[mochajungle]

I have had my first reef tank running for like 3 months now, corals are growing thugs are doing well, however I keep seeing long strings of sand on the bottom, and this morning it found my skunk cleaner with the middle of his carcass open and eaten and slightly deteriorating
I don’t know what it is but I have a pretty giant red worm in my tank that I just cat get rid of
He only comes out at night and I can’t say watch all nigh as I’ll fall asleep

 

[Fishy212]

Are you sure it was killed? I know sometimes when I see my shrimps skin when molting, it scares the crap out of me and the wife!

the worm you are talking about is most likely a bristle worm or fireworm. Generally considered a good CUC, too many of them can be bad.

take some pictures if you can

 

[mochajungle]

Are you sure it was killed? I know sometimes when I see my shrimps skin when molting, it scares the crap out of me and the wife!

the worm you are talking about is most likely a bristle worm or fireworm. Generally considered a good CUC, too many of them can be bad.

take some pictures if you can

I got rid I of the dead body
But he has molted twice and the moly is pretty translucent, this was definitely his body
I have a 5 gallon Nano and if it was a molt I would have seen the actual shrimp

 

[Fishy212]

I got rid I of the dead body
But he has molted twice and the moly is pretty translucent, this was definitely his body
I have a 5 gallon Nano and if it was a molt I would have seen the actual shrimp

I see.. the long strings of sand. Are they like tubes? I have a few, can easily be blown away. I believe they are a beneficial tank critter unless there are too many.

 

[mochajungle]

I see.. the long strings of sand. Are they like tubes? I have a few, can easily be blown away. I believe they are a beneficial tank critter unless there are too many.

Yes exactly long tubes

 

[mochajungle]

Yes exactly long tubes

They are really long about 5 inches

 

[IKD]

Are they spionid worms? If so, good cleanup crew.

If you have a large red worm coming out, I would try to catch and identify it. There are several DIY bristlesorm traps you can find on the site to try.

 

[mochajungle]

I can’t find it at al
I have like 3 rocks in my tank and they are pretty small but I’ve only seen home like twice since I set it up
I can’t dip the rocks cause all my corals are on it and I don’t want to disturb anything
I think I’ll wait up one night until he comes out to feed and nab him

 

[IKD]

There are some DIY’s that take a small plastic bottle that you punch some holes into and insert straws. Put food in the bottle and the worms will crawl in and not be able to escape. Here is a pic of mine. You can leave it overnight and check in the morning.

 

[mochajungle]

I’m gonna stop at my lfs today see I’d they have anything and imma hunt him tonight

 

[steallife904]

if it is a bristle worm do not grab with your hand!

 

[Oberst Oswald]

Oenone Fulgida worm... sure hope not.

Removing Oenone fulgida Worms

This post details the identification and the removal of the worm, Oenone fulgida. This worm looks like a bristle worm at a casual glance. A more careful examination will reveal that the worm does not have setae (bristles), but instead fleshy lobules. Oenone worms are also much quicker/alert than...

forums.saltwaterfish.com

 

[mochajungle]

The back of the shrimp was open right behind it’s head and was really mushy inside (like it was decaying)
It was doing great that evening when I check eating fine and guarding it’s territory
The next morning it was belly up at the bottom of the tank and looked like it had just begun a molt or something

 

[IKD]

I wonder if it had trouble molting and died. Have you checked iodine levels?

 

[jeffchapok]

I have been fooled more than once by a shrimp or crab molt. They will usually hide for a day or two after molting while their new shell hardens. Hopefully that's all that has happened and he shows back up. Keep us posted.

 

[mochajungle]

I have been fooled more than once by a shrimp or crab molt. They will usually hide for a day or two after molting while their new shell hardens. Hopefully that's all that has happened and he shows back up. Keep us posted.

There isn’t really anywhere he can hide my tank is really tiny it’s 5 gallons so I can see everything from the front