What is this on my coral?

gibes · Feb 10, 2020

Hi all,
I just bought a new coral, thats it is still adapting to my water
I saw this thing crawling out from my coral! It is kinda hairy on all sides!
can anyone help what is this?
Is it harmful to my tank?
Should i remove the coral from my tank and give it a dip into parasite treatment?

much appreciated

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

gibes said:
Hi all,
I just bought a new coral, thats it is still adapting to my water
I saw this thing crawling out from my coral! It is kinda hairy on all sides!
can anyone help what is this?
Is it harmful to my tank?
Should i remove the coral from my tank and give it a dip into parasite treatment?

much appreciated

Looks like a fireworm!

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

I’d remove it if possible. Don’t touch it.

gibes · Feb 10, 2020

Bad thing?

ScottR said:
Looks like a fireworm!

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

gibes said:
Bad thing?

Yeah. But don’t touch it. Can leave a nasty sting.

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

I’d google pics if fireworm and see if it matches. Your pic isn’t too clear. Just to confirm. But not something you want to play with.

gibes · Feb 10, 2020

Oh gosh. Thanks! Im scared

Wee Mad Arthur · Feb 10, 2020

Looks like a harmless standard bristleworm to me. I’ve got a lot of them. Fireworms are very distinctive.

gibes · Feb 10, 2020

Oh ok. Now im a lil confuse. Maybe i should see fully its body and shape

dwest · Feb 10, 2020

gibes said:
Oh ok. Now im a lil confuse. Maybe i should see fully its body and shape

I think bristleworm too. I wouldn’t worry. Great scavenger.

VB313 · Feb 10, 2020

Bristle worm free clean up crew leave it be but definitely don’t touch

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

Wee Mad Arthur said:
Looks like a harmless standard bristleworm to me. I’ve got a lot of them. Fireworms are very distinctive.

Judging by the bristles, fireworm.

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

Look closely at the bristles guys. Clearly a fireworm.

NowGlazeIT · Feb 10, 2020

Bristle worm. Same color as mine

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

@KJ is better at this than me

Wee Mad Arthur · Feb 10, 2020

ScottR said:
Judging by the bristles, fireworm.

Sorry Scott but I think you’re wrong In this case. I’m looking at it on my iPad blown up as big as it will go and all I’m seeing is a standard bristleworm. I’ve got so many that I see them all the time

NowGlazeIT · Feb 10, 2020

gibes said:
Hi all,
I just bought a new coral, thats it is still adapting to my water
I saw this thing crawling out from my coral! It is kinda hairy on all sides!
can anyone help what is this?
Is it harmful to my tank?
Should i remove the coral from my tank and give it a dip into parasite treatment?

much appreciated

It is a bristleworm. Fireworks are deep red. Bristleworms are tan/orange

ScottR · Feb 10, 2020

Wee Mad Arthur said:
Sorry Scott but I think you’re wrong In this case. I’m looking at it on my iPad blown up as big as it will go and all I’m seeing is a standard bristleworm. I’ve got so many that I see them all the time

I may be wrong. Only looking on iPhone at a blurry pic.

Leadfooted · Feb 10, 2020

You don't need to worry about the worm. You should however be concerned for what you can't see. Take a little time and read up on coral dips. I personally use Bayer but there's many other dips you can use. I learned the hard way and use to just stick new corals in the tank after purchase but ended up with many unwanted creature that loved to eat and sting my corals. Nice star polyp colony , hope they do well for you.