What The... Is This??!!

[HawaiianReef]

Bobbit Worm??
Found him on the bottom of a QT that I have a stock of coral and rock that I got last week.

David

 

[Oscaror]

Bobbit Worm??
Found him on the bottom of a QT that I have a stock of coral and rock that I got last week.

David

Looks scary

 

[HawaiianReef]

He's pretty big.
At least 2" and fat.

 

[DSC reef]

I don't think it's a bobbit. Do you have feather dusters by chance? It resembles a feather duster worm without a crown to me.

 

[HawaiianReef]

Yes I do!
I'll put him back

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Yes definitely looks like a feather duster worm! They can be scary looking without their tube and pretty crown lol

 

[HawaiianReef]

I took a better look and compared him to google images. I really think he's a bobbit not a feather duster. There's no fish in that tank, but the previous owner said a couple small fish mysteriously disappeared.
Either way, I'm glad I QTed!

 

[HawaiianReef]

Ok. I googled feather duster out of tube.
You are exactly right.
Thank You SO much! I was worried for a bit, did it show?
This site is absolutely priceless!

 

[DSC reef]

Your welcome.

 

[HawaiianReef]

I would have never guessed a feather duster.
Those guys are Freaky naked.

 

[DSC reef]

I would have never guessed a feather duster.
Those guys are Freaky naked.

My wife found one in our tank and it was a shock the first time we saw it. Lol.

 

[Nathan Milender]

I am unfamiliar with bobbit worms and feather duster's outside of their tubes. It is clearly a segmented worm with an inferior positioned mouth. Go with feather duster, but I would only place it as an annelid and at this stage it looks more like hirudenia. Good job on having a dissecting scope on hand. Anyone know a good reference with a dichotomous key for aquarium/reef invertebrates including their larval stages?

 

[DSC reef]

I am unfamiliar with bobbit worms and feather duster's outside of their tubes. It is clearly a segmented worm with an inferior positioned mouth. Go with feather duster, but I would only place it as an annelid and at this stage it looks more like hirudenia. Good job on having a dissecting scope on hand. Anyone know a good reference with a dichotomous key for aquarium/reef invertebrates including their larval stages?

No one mentioned dissecting scope?

 

[Nathan Milender]

No one mentioned dissecting scope?

I just assumed that was how he got the close up, also called a stereoscope. Maybe phones can do that now? If you don't have one, I recommend you get one. They are handy.

 

[DSC reef]

I just assumed that was how he got the close up, also called a stereoscope. Maybe phones can do that now? If you don't have one, I recommend you get one. They are handy.

These phones can take amazing pics and great close ups.

 

[HawaiianReef]

I am unfamiliar with bobbit worms and feather duster's outside of their tubes. It is clearly a segmented worm with an inferior positioned mouth. Go with feather duster, but I would only place it as an annelid and at this stage it looks more like hirudenia. Good job on having a dissecting scope on hand. Anyone know a good reference with a dichotomous key for aquarium/reef invertebrates including their larval stages?

Ok, you guys know way too much. Now there's more words I need to look up.
I just took the pic with my phone. I scooped the critter out and put him in my 4 cup measuring cup for salt. It was the closest thing I had.

I did find the empty tube. The QT was crashing. I found a starfish that didn't make the transition. I never even bothered to check parameters. I just moved them all back to the tank they were in. The substrate was disturbed from moving it. It's been stable now with some nitrates. I hope this guy goes back into his tube. He's just wandering around the sand right now.
Maybe I'll put a pic of a melanurus wrasse on the glass. That'll make him get back inside..