Spaghetti Worms

Braves Fan · Apr 7, 2016

I have sort of ,,, a problem in my tank ,,, I have ,,, what another local reefer calls spaghetti worms in my tank

what they look like are a fine filament strand ,,, they are about a inch to two inches long,,, mostly on my sand bed but they are also up on my Live Rock...

They don't seem to be a problem,,, corals I have placed on my sand bed don't appear to be irritated by them,,, so other than looks ,,, seem to not be a problem other than the fact that I would like them gone,,, problem is reaching or already has reached a point ,,, where I want to deal with them if I can.

So,,, the question is,,, what are they and how can I best deal with them?

Tahoe61 · Apr 7, 2016

Are you over feeding the tank? Can you cut back on feedings significantly without detriment to the tank inhabitants?

Population is going to be controlled by the available food source, more food more spaghetti worms. Temperature seems to influence growth rate and population as well.

I find Spaghetti worms to be beneficial but I have never had a tank/sand bed over run with them.

I'll look around for practical interventions with regard to removal.

Braves Fan · Apr 7, 2016

Between the Fauna Marin I am feeding my LPS corals twice a week,, what I am feeding my fish twice a day,,, I would say I am putting a lot of food into my system

I don't have a algae problem in my tank

I do a 17g water change every other week ,,, I also have a pretty good skimmer ,,, My Bi Colored Fox Face ,,, I am sure keeps any alge that might be growing chomped down.

I didn't think about food going into the tank being part of the problem with the worms ,,, makes since though

I can cut back on some of that food going into the tank though,,, I hate cutting back on what I am feeding the LPC corals

they seem like they are really happy after being feed

Mostly I have Acans a few Blasto and Chalices and a few zoa & poly frags,,,

MillerR. · Apr 7, 2016

I'll take some off your hands!

Coralfornialiving · Apr 7, 2016

MillerR. said:
I'll take some off your hands!

Why do you want them

ngvu1 · Apr 8, 2016

Not sure if that is the right name. I have a lot of those in my tank too. They are single white filament strand looking like strings from 1 to 2 inches. They do bother some finicky zoas. Most of them are ok but I have seen some sensitive zoas close because of them touching them.

This is the Spaghetti worm and I don't think I have them because each spot there is only 1 string coming up!

Lonely reefer's · Apr 8, 2016

How big is your tank?
I may have a simple solution to remove them off the sand bed
I used bamboo sticks and exten it longer with Rober band
Stick it down where the spaghetti
On the sand bed and turn it clockwise position.
Spaghetti will attached to the bamboo stick
I guarantee it going to work!

Braves Fan · Apr 8, 2016

Mine are also a single strand

So maybe its something else,,, I do want to rid my tank of what ever it is though

Looked at them a bit closer,,, some have two strands,,,,

ngvu1 · Apr 8, 2016

I would use this and attach to a stick; let the stringy part touch the brush and twist....pull them right off

; I use the same technique on pulling out aiptasia. poke right in the center and twist then pull. works pretty good.

Braves Fan · Apr 9, 2016

ngvu1 · Apr 9, 2016

Yes those are the ones I have in my tank too.

Bunnee911 · Apr 9, 2016

Mine are more yellow.

Jean lewis · Dec 28, 2018

Hey guys. Mine are brown and cream stripes up the filaments and much larger than those in the pictures. It’s living in the live rock and seems to reach a long way through the rock holes. Is it likely to be something else or another type of spaghetti worm?

mossmoss · Mar 24, 2020

Jean lewis said:
Hey guys. Mine are brown and cream stripes up the filaments and much larger than those in the pictures. It’s living in the live rock and seems to reach a long way through the rock holes. Is it likely to be something else or another type of spaghetti worm?

is it not a brittle star fish? my brittle star is brown and white banded ..he hides in the holes and waves his arms out and about