SPS violator

[Michael E.]

I was doing my nightly reef tank survey and came across this thing eating one of my colonies. I’ve noticed the tips of one specific colony going white. Didn’t look like bleaching and it’s the only one doing it. Come to find out this worn was on it. Looks like a bristle, just not the ones I’m used to. When I tried to grab it with tweezers, it got brave and puffed up with all its bristles. It ripped in half when I was trying to get it. I got one half, and the other was blown around by the power heads and eventually got away.

anyone know what it is?

 

[Doctorgori]

just some sample….
honestly that looks like your avg run-o-mill bristleworm to me … I’ve never seen one eat coral..
Could be a fireworm but I thought those were wider…

 

[damsels are not mean]

It could be a fireworm but are you sure it's eating live coral? They will scavenge dying flesh and may also wat stuff that is growing on exposed skeleton.

 

[Michael E.]

just some sample….
honestly that looks like your avg run-o-mill bristleworm to me … I’ve never seen one eat coral..
Could be a fireworm but I thought those were wider…

Definitely wider than the normal bristle for sure. The picture was hard to get.

 

[Michael E.]

It could be a fireworm but are you sure it's eating live coral? They will scavenge dying flesh and may also wat stuff that is growing on exposed skeleton.

Yep, eating the coral. The coral would grow back and then a day later, completely eaten. Ive been watching this for a couple weeks. Im leaning towards a fire worm also.

 

[shakacuz]

second picture makes me believe it is a fireworm. feeding off dying flesh of the SPS, perhaps even left over food one of the polyps grabbed?

 

[damsels are not mean]

Yep, eating the coral. The coral would grow back and then a day later, completely eaten. Ive been watching this for a couple weeks. Im leaning towards a fire worm also.

Sounds like a fireworm to me too then. I assume if there's one there must be more but I hope that was it!