The nightmare of a Bobbit worm

[TUSI]

I wonder if shooting a turkey baster of vinegar in its hole will get him to release his grip and give you an opportunity to get him. Your tank looks big enough for it not to cause harm. Might be wrong but a idea anyway.

I am willing to try anything but today he went across the tank in the sand bed to his hole. He is a smart dude.

 

[saltyhog]

Bobbit worms will regrow a head if split

Tell me about it! I was lucky enough to grab my small one only to have some one notice his tail was missing.

Peaking at night

Now he is just playing with you!

Good luck, this could be an epic thread. Think of it as a great adventure.....just glad it's not my adventure!

 

[jayala12]

Get a wire hanger and mash that hole!!!! Like a plumber with a snake.

 

[Water Dog]

Have you tried a barbed fishing hook at the end of a rod or stick? Try to ensnare it with the tip of the hook, the barb should keep him from freeing himself, then yank him out.

 

[TUSI]

Tell me about it! I was lucky enough to grab my small one only to have some one notice his tail was missing.

Now he is just playing with you!

Good luck, this could be an epic thread. Think of it as a great adventure.....just glad it's not my adventure!

So if his tail was missing , does that mean you still have one in your tank ?

 

[saltyhog]

So if his tail was missing , does that mean you still have one in your tank ?

It would but fortunately I found the tail lying on the sand near where I grabbed him!

 

[Jason boles]

Following along... I can’t even imagine.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

Wow! I hope you get it. I'll be following too.

 

[NY_Caveman]

24”! What a monster! Best of luck. I have nightmares like this since I have had a couple of mysterious losses.

 

[Thales]

24”! What a monster! Best of luck. I have nightmares like this since I have had a couple of mysterious losses.

Just cause we care, the animal in the video is a bobbit worm, what you have is related but not a bobbit. Happy reefing!

 

[Javier Leon]

Honestly I think I have a few on my sand bed , I see something sticking up the sand with a few tentacles on the weird alien head but all of the sudden they hide under the sand, never seen them swimming around or attacking any fish and. I fish has gone missing. Good Luck bud and share the good or the bad of this experience so we can all learn from it

 

[kschweer]

Very sorry to hear! Good luck catching him and with a rebuild.

 

[Gurksreef]

Similar to pest anemones could you just seal it in its hole with epoxy ?

 

[Gurksreef]

Similar to pest anemones could you just seal it in its hole with epoxy ?

 

[Kengar]

Where do these things come from? My last three big builds more than ten years ago, I set up with real real old school live rock air freighted in and never had such pest. Now the rock is fairly different and I see more and more of these stories.

 

[Brett newell]

Honestly I think I have a few on my sand bed , I see something sticking up the sand with a few tentacles on the weird alien head but all of the sudden they hide under the sand, never seen them swimming around or attacking any fish and. I fish has gone missing. Good Luck bud and share the good or the bad of this experience so we can all learn from it

What you're seeing is most likely spaghetti worms. Totally harmless, their population will rise and fall with available food in the water

 

[Lousybreed]

Epoxy the hole and let him rot.

 

[jgvergo]

I know you don't want to see this, but I was researching Bobbit worms after reading this thread. All I can say is "YIKES!!!"

 

[Dsnakes]

Good luck @TUSI ;Punch that’s a bummer, your reef is amazing.

 

[Mal Cameron]

I would try to break the worm up, maybe with pliers, and then buy a Harliquin Tuskfish. They hunt out worms and reef safe. At least mine does. Mine loves bristle worms so maybe they would like your worm too. Good luck.

 

[RamsReef]

I would say either Epoxy as mentioned or you could try sticking a powerful pump down in your sump with the output going into a sock, on the intake attach a hose, start pump + syphon and shove the hose into the hole. If you have enough pressure and you latch onto it it should slurp him into your spacelock. Bag will catch the gooey bits.

Disclaimer: I am an electrician.