Worm ID....it moves rocks :/

Untamedrose · Jul 10, 2016

what the heck is this thing? I saw in the middle of a zoanthid colony...pulled it out did a FW dip. Didnt kill it but it crawled out fast.

It was moving gravel around with those things on its head. Think it was was trying to block its hole.

Lionfish Lair · Jul 10, 2016

It's a eunice. I would either keep it out, start a new tank for him or see if anyone wants him.

Untamedrose · Jul 10, 2016

looks like they can been scavengers or predators.
It doesnt appear to have the jaws like a the bobbits...so does that mean scavenger?

Working on setting up a refugium right this second...just filled it with tank water. It will have hopefully small cycle.
How are these guys in refugium??

Lionfish Lair · Jul 10, 2016

It's not THEE bobbit, but they still have jaws.... they're in there, you just can't see them. If he was going to pick at anything, I would suspect it would be coral. A refugium would be an awesome tank, albeit, he could possibly eat a few of the desirable things growing in there.... he's well worth it, in my opinion. It really is a gorgeous creature and I would try to keep him, for sure. I loved feeding mine and watching him build his territory.

Untamedrose · Jul 10, 2016

Leodice harassii is the species name...I think. Not finding a ton of info though.

Lionfish Lair · Jul 10, 2016

No, you won't find much information. Maybe if you want to do a little deeper hunting, look for Eunice harassii..... it's the "old" name. They don't have a lot out there about specific species.

Untamedrose · Jul 10, 2016

Was able to to find some info with that

Posting for others future reference...
They get up to 250mm(ten inches)
Breed in the english channel, found in NE Atlantic, and Med.
Eats Crustations, annelids, bryozoans, synaptid holothurians

Also says they are sometimes found in a commensal relationship with ostrea edulis(english flat oyster)

PG 96 https://books.google.com/books?id=I...6AEIJjAC#v=onepage&q=Eunice harassii.&f=false

Lionfish Lair · Jul 10, 2016

A lot of these critters are opportunistic once in our tanks, so they make go at something they wouldn't normally eat. Sometimes it's only after they've exhausted their preferred food.