Found Something new in my tank, what is it?

[N1Husker]

I am currently trying to catch some bristle worms and remove them from my tank. When I checked the tank with the lights out, with a flashlight, no bristles yet but I saw these little bitty worms wiggling up against the glass. These guys were no more that 1/8th inch long, just going up and down and wiggling like crazy. I only see them at night. I also saw what looked like a bug scurrying across my substrate, does that sound right, I don't have a sump yet so I know it didn't come from there, maybe from the live rock. Does anybody know what these might be? This just keeps on getting more fascinating.

 

[BReefed]

Hey N1,

I have no idea what your experience level is, so apologies if I am saying things you already know. You don't have to remove the bristleworms. It is only a very small percentage of bristle worm species that become a reef problem, and become predators. If yours are 1/3 pink and 2/3rds brown or purple then they are harmless reef scavengers and can be a useful member of your clean-up crew.

The other worms on your glass could be several different species. I'm always amazed by the number of different worms that live in the ocean.

On to your final part about the bug on your substrate, yes that is right and normal. Sounds like an amphipod which is a sign of a healthy, developing reef system. I think they are completely awesome little guys and I keep one tank fish free just to watch them.

Last but not least, yes! All of these things came from your live rock, and it probably won't stop there. Some are fascinating, some you will curse but you will be amazed by how many more things wander out over time.

 

[N1Husker]

Hi BReefed,
I am pretty new at this, I learn stuff everyday. I retired and I got this aquarium in April. I needed something to keep me busy and boy this was the ticket. If I am not watching things going on in my aquarium I am reading up about it. Learning quickly that there is no common opinion about any subject. As far as the bristle worms go my wife is determined that the worms are no good and they gotta go. I kind of like them. They have been in there for some time and haven't bothered anything. If you check out the post I made regarding bristle worms or fire worms you will see some links to some pictures of them on photobucket. They have no brown what so ever, they are all pink, very pink to reddish ink. I don't know, I may just leave them alone and convince her it's safe. God forbid they don't start tearing up my corals, I'll never hear the end of it, ( the I told you so ), but not as of yet. I know I have at least 4 under 2 rocks. Probably more. One is about 6 inches, he's/she's the biggest. I'll let you know the outcome of the worms.

 

[jrgilles]

Yea, if you see 4, there are probably tons more hidden in rocks. Guess just don't tell the wife about them -_-

 

[N1Husker]

She told me this morning that she is changing her mind after I told her we have to quit being worried about what might happen and react when something does happen. They haven't done anything to make us think that they are bad, they just live under and around the live rock. She doesn't like bugs of any type, and as far as she is concerned those worms are buds. I guess because they look like centipedes. I think I have convinced her so they have had a reprieve of their death sentence.

 

[NC2WA]

Do not remove them with your bare hands as they will sting and it hurts; if you are going to remove via your hand, wear gloves.

Here is a link to a Worm gallery:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/marinewormphotos/Marine_Worm_Photos.htm

 

[BReefed]

Totally understand, and I'm sure the size thing is a bit freaky too. If they are indeed fireworms then I'd probably remove them and do what NC2WA says. If you have some tweezers or forceps that can help. Trapping is probably easier though. Another thing to remember is that plenty of fish eat worms, so depending on the species of fish and worms that you have, you may see less of them as time goes on.

Also agree with jrgilles, you've probably got tons more! ;p

<Edit> Err... sorry. Just took a look at your picture thread and they look like fireworms to me. Let one of the experts weigh in, but that looks like the bad news variety. Try to pull one and photograph for ID purposes.

Bad News Worm:

Your Worm.

 

[N1Husker]

They look exactly lie the Hawaiian fire worm in the picture, but my wife has decide they can stay as long as they behave themselves. They haven't caused any problems yet, they just stay under the rocks and come out only to go from one rock to another. I look for them at night but only see them once in a while, I see them mostly in the day. I don't know if they know that they are supposed to be nocturnal, but they don't have the internet so I don't know where they would find that out. I knew that I shouldn't pick them up with bare hands, but if I didn't, that look's like that would be a good idea. Those bristles look like those hairy cactus's that have those fuzzy little stickers. How's your new angel doing, I think you called it a regal angel. Thanks Eric for the info and the link to the pic's.

 

[NC2WA]

N1husker,

Unfortunately, my regal angel never made it out of QT..I could never get it to eat anything...a shame, as it was a gorgeous fish.

 

[N1Husker]

Sorry to hear about the angel, sometimes they can be so strange in the behavior, even to the point of starvation. But I guess that's why we are us and they remain fish. I got a clown about 6 weeks ago, he was quarantined for 4 weeks and I put him in the main tank and it is really weird, he loves hanging with the sailfin tang. He isn't with him 100% of the time but a lot of the time when I look in the aquarium they are right there hanging together. Strange relationship.

 

[BReefed]

Sad about the regal NC,

Same thing happened with my potter's angel. The only thing I could get him to eat was my LPS sadly and a bit of forage off of some rock.

 

[pitkat]

I am currently trying to catch some bristle worms and remove them from my tank. When I checked the tank with the lights out, with a flashlight, no bristles yet but I saw these little bitty worms wiggling up against the glass. These guys were no more that 1/8th inch long, just going up and down and wiggling like crazy. I only see them at night. I also saw what looked like a bug scurrying across my substrate, does that sound right, I don't have a sump yet so I know it didn't come from there, maybe from the live rock. Does anybody know what these might be? This just keeps on getting more fascinating.

Thats what makes the hobby so fascinating, for me at least