Yikes! Wear gloves.

[jeffsz]

Shutting down my biocube after merging to a Waterbox. Pulled the sponge out and had this discovery, luckily had the foresight to wear some pretty industrial gloves.
Are these bristleworms? Probably were a pretty good clean up crew for the sponge in the back of the biocube.
Part of the reef mysteries as to why the live rock and creatures help keep the tank going. My biocube was quite successful even as my first reef tank!

 

[mtraylor]

Looks like small bristle worms to me

 

[jeffsz]

Looks like small bristle worms to me

That's what I thought, had a few in the tank but never a big problem. Just was surprised when I pulled the sponge out.
Actually the tank was left running without fish or rock, but left the sand in it for about a month. I was looking to rehome any good snails that were hiding deeper in the sand before shutting it down.

 

[Enderg60]

Yup bristle worms. I have an uncany skill of finding one every time I put my hand in the tank.

 

[RedoubtReef]

great find for adding to your clean up crew.