Unknown Hitchhiker ID Please

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

I was taking photos to inventory my corals and I noticed this fairly long worm hanging out of my live rock. I was able to snap some photos before it slid back in. Does anyone know what it is and if its something to be concerned about? Thank you

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

its coming out again im taking more pics gonna upload

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

bushh23 · Mar 28, 2009

Bristleworm...Some people like them but i am not one of them. Also don't try and touch it!

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

Thanks, I wont touch it. Hope it doesnt bother my corals lol

bushh23 said:
Bristleworm...Some people like them but i am not one of them. Also don't try and touch it!

Gimili the Great · Mar 28, 2009

they are scavengers and wont harm anything unless it is dead or near death.

they can multiply rather quickly though, so if you dont want them around i would suggest an arrow crab they will keep them in check, these things are similar to roaches for every one you do see there are a handful you dont see.

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

Looks like Im getting myself an arrow crab! Im sorry but there is no vacancy in my humble 10 gallon :angel:

Gimili the Great said:
they are scavengers and wont harm anything unless it is dead or near death.

they can multiply rather quickly though, so if you dont want them around i would suggest an arrow crab they will keep them in check, these things are similar to roaches for every one you do see there are a handful you dont see.

bushh23 · Mar 28, 2009

Watch the sand too. They love to hide there and bite you as soon as you put your hand in the sand! Arrow crab is the way to go and if you see him out long enough, try the night time, a good pair of tweezers and a quick move works really well to!

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

All this time ive been innocently moving frags here and there, who knew what was lurking in there :cry:

bushh23 said:
Watch the sand too. They love to hide there and bite you as soon as you put your hand in the sand! Arrow crab is the way to go and if you see him out long enough, try the night time, a good pair of tweezers and a quick move works really well to!

Gimili the Great · Mar 28, 2009

when you get an arrow crab make sure you get a small or medium sized one as they get can get rather large.

H@rry · Mar 28, 2009

My opinion on bristleworms is don't touch them and be glad that you have them.

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

will keep that in mind, thank you! Love this forum man always great people out to help! :smile:

Gimili the Great said:
when you get an arrow crab make sure you get a small or medium sized one as they get can get rather large.

TyreeUM · Mar 28, 2009

honestly, those silver ones can get huge I would take him out-I have found those over 2 feet long and I am not joking one bit...I only trust the little orange ones

kev2me · Mar 28, 2009

Turkey basters work wonders!

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

Im gonna find some plastic forceps and yank em out or something :neutral:

TyreeUM said:
honestly, those silver ones can get huge I would take him out-I have found those over 2 feet long and I am not joking one bit...I only trust the little orange ones

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

how, suck him in?

kev2me said:
Turkey basters work wonders!

FiReBReTHa · Mar 28, 2009

correct, be wary of arow crabs ad CUCrew.

nom nom....

H@rry · Mar 28, 2009

TyreeUM said:
honestly, those silver ones can get huge I would take him out-I have found those over 2 feet long and I am not joking one bit...I only trust the little orange ones

Why would you take them out? What have they hurt?

kev2me · Mar 28, 2009

pakora said:
how, suck him in?

Yep. My fiance hates bristleworms and uses a turkey baster to blast them with water so they ball up and don't have a chance to hide, then sucks them up.

You should have seen the tupperware container we had full of them when we moved our rock and corals from our 46 gallon to our 120. :sad:

Unfortunately I have to go get a new turkey baster come Thanksgiving time... too useful for the tanks I guess.

pakora · Mar 28, 2009

cool i'll try that next time I see it, thanks!

kev2me said:
Yep. My fiance hates bristleworms and uses a turkey baster to blast them with water so they ball up and don't have a chance to hide, then sucks them up.

You should have seen the tupperware container we had full of them when we moved our rock and corals from our 46 gallon to our 120. :sad:

Unfortunately I have to go get a new turkey baster come Thanksgiving time... too useful for the tanks I guess.