Weird worms/bugs

Rechelle Fleck · Oct 30, 2018

Such is the life of a reefer in that all sorts of things show up in ones tank.

Well I found these very tiny (1-2mm) work/bug looking things on my new frag holder (ceramic made to look like coral). Just when I thought I knew about all the hitchhikers and critters, I come across something new. Does anyone know what these are?

mattgsa · Oct 30, 2018

They look like Bristol worms, I just never seen them in the sand. However, after a quick google search it's not uncommon for them to go into the sand. They are a good part of the clean up crew.

Rechelle Fleck · Oct 30, 2018

mattgsa said:
They look like Bristol worms, I just never seen them in the sand. However, after a quick google search it's not uncommon for them to go into the sand. They are a good part of the clean up crew.

I have bristle worms and know what they look like as they live in my live rock. These are extremely small (1-2mm) so now I'm wondering if they're amphipods

Bob Loblaw · Oct 30, 2018

Gammaridae

mattgsa · Oct 30, 2018

I've never heard of amphipods going in the sand like that, or having ever seen them. There are several references to sand worm. However the pics don't look the same. My vote is still Bristol worm. I can find several cases just like yours online. I'm not an expert, that's just what it looks like to me.

Firemanreefkeeper · Oct 30, 2018

I can see some antennas on them which makes me believe they are amphipods.

Bob Loblaw · Oct 30, 2018

Amphipods are often found b/w sand and glass. Zoom in on pic: 2 antenna, 2 eyes, and 7 metameres of the pereon are visible. Can't make out the gnathopods, telson, urorpods... but I suspect they would be with a crisper pic.

Rechelle Fleck · Oct 30, 2018

mattgsa said:
I've never heard of amphipods going in the sand like that, or having ever seen them. There are several references to sand worm. However the pics don't look the same. My vote is still Bristol worm. I can find several cases just like yours online. I'm not an expert, that's just what it looks like to me.

They are between my frag holder and glass. I'll try to get a better pic

HOOPDEEZ · Oct 30, 2018

+1 on amphipods, they get into any crevices they fit in

Rechelle Fleck · Oct 30, 2018

Bob Loblaw said:
Amphipods are often found b/w sand and glass. Zoom in on pic: 2 antenna, 2 eyes, and 7 metameres of the pereon are visible. Can't make out the gnathopods, telson, urorpods... but I suspect they would be with a crisper pic.

They have attena, and eyes and are between the glass and frag holder.