Weird critter ID please (microscope photo)

[Gatling]

I saw this on a rock and immediately plunged my hand into the tank with a pipette. It's actually quite big, this photo is under the lowest magnification (40x).

It had little feet!

 

[mtfish]

Polycheate. "It had little feet!" Yep, the name translates to "many bristles". Have to start out small before they can get bigger.

 

[Gatling]

Polycheate. "It had little feet!" Yep, the name translates to "many bristles". Have to start out small before they can get bigger.

Should I be concerned about them? I hear many people leave them in the tanks.

 

[bevo5]

You'll find various opinions on whether or not they're good or bad. I think the general consensus is that they are decent little scavengers but can get out of control if you're overfeeding etc. Also - don't ever touch one.

I don't mind seeing them in the tank as they cruise around the rock and eat bad stuff. I had a few fish that would nibble on those guys so the numbers were always low.

 

[mtfish]

They are good guys, part of your clean up crew. There are bristleworms, and then there are fireworms. Fireworms are the ones that you do not touch. The one in the picture is too small to ID (at least by me).

 

[flsalty]

That looks like a sand worm. Not sure I would keep it.

 

[mtfish]

That looks like a sand worm. Not sure I would keep it.

What is a sand worm and why are they bad?

 

[Mtb_reefer]

Now I can’t unsee Boba Fett getting ate by a giant sand worm..