What the heck is this?!

clownin_around · Feb 13, 2017

It looks like a worm.

Jason mack · Feb 13, 2017

Looks like a bristle worm ,some say they are good some say they are bad .. big ones I take out , small ones I leave , good cuc !!

ebushrow · Feb 13, 2017

Typical bristle worm...good part of your cuc

ReefNo0ob · Feb 13, 2017

clownin_around said:
It looks like a worm.

Bristle worm! Theyre good clean up crew members as long as you dont overfeed your tank it wont multiply. They eat detritus and junk in your liverock and are usually VERY shy and light sensitive. Ive only seen mine in my tank twice and as soon as I shined my phone light at it, it sucked into the rock haha and dont touch them with your bare hands the bristles on them are like little fiberglass slivers that will sting you if touched

donnievaz · Feb 13, 2017

ReefNo0ob said:
Bristle worm! Theyre good clean up crew members as long as you dont overfeed your tank it wont multiply. They eat detritus and junk in your liverock and are usually VERY shy and light sensitive. Ive only seen mine in my tank twice and as soon as I shined my phone light at it, it sucked into the rock haha and dont touch them with your bare hands the bristles on them are like little fiberglass slivers that will sting you if touched

They don't all sting, in fact I think there are a lot less of the stinging species in our tanks than the non-stinging. I ended up with a bunch of bristles stuck in my thumb and fingers not too long ago. It was more annoying than anything else. Didn't feel like a sting. I had to soak my hand in vinegar multiple times to get rid of them.

Lionfish Lair · Feb 13, 2017

donnievaz said:
It was more annoying than anything else. Didn't feel like a sting.

Exactly.

clownin_around · Feb 16, 2017

I moved my tank and I found him lurking. He has since crawled back into the rock once I put my leds back up

donnievaz · Feb 17, 2017

clownin_around said:
I moved my tank and I found him lurking. He has since crawled back into the rock once I put my leds back up

They're like cockroaches, if you see one, there are a lot more that you can't see. Unlike cockroaches, bristleworms can be very helpful in keeping the system clean.