In contrast to the other large beneficial fireworms found in our tanks, one species decidedly presents problems for a reef aquarium. This species, Hermodice carunculata, is a fireworm species commonly found in the Caribbean, although other species in the same genus are found throughout the tropics. It is the only potential "problem" fireworm in aquaria because it eats stony corals and gorgonians in its natural habitat, but may also prey on Indo-Pacific soft corals in the aquarium. As with all fireworms, this species has no jaws to bite off chunks of food, rather it must lick them to death. As the worm lacks the jaws to sever the pieces of its prey, feeding in Hermodice is a prolonged process. When they feed, Hermodice individuals typically swallow the ends of a gorgonian or soft coral and then proceed to lick the flesh off of it, while the ends are still attached to the colony. Such feeding is a lengthy process; it takes hours. During this period the worm really isn't going to go anywhere, it is tethered to its dinner. This species is also an obligate predator of these prey, although it may scavenge a bit, it will not, - in fact, it cannot, - eat other prey. If you have a Hermodice in your tank, you will either eventually find it on a prey organism munching away or see it crawling across the substrate. Remove it with a pair of forceps, tweezers, or tongs, and dispose of it.
