What's up with these worms?

[Gary S]

After putting LS in my tank I saw these worms floating all over. Anybody know what they are, and if they are problematic?

 

[Umbra]

After putting LS in my tank I saw these worms floating all over. Anybody know what they are, and if they are problematic?

Those are small ribbon worms - I've kept those before. They will hunt small worms and pods in your tank (they will eliminate baby eunicid worms, spaghetti worms, etc.) And scavenge leftover morsels of food. A bit unsightly if they overpopulate but harmless for the most part. I have a video of them eating crushed snails if you'd like to see.

 

[Gary S]

That'd be awesome if you could post that!

 

[Umbra]

Here is the video!

 

[Big G]

Here is the video!

Almost "nasty" watching that worm. It looks like a transparent siphon hose taking care of business.

 

[cloak]

If those are in fact "Ribbon" worms, I've always thought they were bad for a reef tank.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/rs/

 

[Big G]

If those are in fact "Ribbon" worms, I've always thought they were bad for a reef tank.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/rs/

Wow! Great read. Thanks for posting. 50-100' long worm? Yikes

 

[Umbra]

I've never seen this species get over a few inches in length so at that size they won't cause much harm unless you're keeping things like pipefish tht might compete with them for food as they will eat pods and at that size could pose a threat to small bristleworms.

In my video you can see the proboscis firing several times.

 

[Lance Fjeseth]

I've never seen this species get over a few inches in length so at that size they won't cause much harm unless you're keeping things like pipefish tht might compete with them for food as they will eat pods and at that size could pose a threat to small bristleworms.

In my video you can see the proboscis firing several times.

Great video Umbra - thanks for sharing