Worms I think? (Identify)

[mud1059]

Very new at this, I have no idea what this is. Please identify and I can research the rest on my own. These buggers are quickly staking claim throughout my tank. Thanks for your time!

Thanks again,
Paul

 

[Krish]

Almost looks like tube worms that are retracted. Do you ever have polyps come out that look like flowers? If so, and they look like the pic in the attachment, they are filter feeders and good to have

 

[cwby416]

I second that! looks like tube worms....Looks like you got some sweet rock!! tons of life on there Congrats!!

 

[mud1059]

Definately not them. This is how they look all the time. I think I had 10-15 when I got the rock 2 or so months ago, now it's around 2-300. I do have some feather dusters though these are not nearly as appreciated.

 

[Krish]

Do they keep spreading??? If so, then I have no idea what it could be . However, if they aren't spreading, then they could still be tube worms that have died and basically left behind the "tubes". I have a few on my rocks that don't have any life in them that are just hollow tubes... Just a thought...Hopefully someone else will chime in with some more ideas

 

[cwby416]

What is comming out of the tubes?? got a pic of that? it will be easier if you want a specific id on the the tube worm...

 

[twilliard]

Its a tube worm (dont know the name). It sends out little "strings" and thats how it feeds. If you look realy close at teh first pic you can see the "strings" I too have hundreds of those.
As the suspended particles lessen in your tank they will die off but be careful when grabbing rocks those things are pointy!

 

[mud1059]

Its a tube worm (dont know the name). It sends out little "strings" and thats how it feeds. If you look realy close at teh first pic you can see the "strings" I too have hundreds of those.
As the suspended particles lessen in your tank they will die off but be careful when grabbing rocks those things are pointy!

You hit it on the head with that one. They're not exactly a pretty sight. Yet they do use a little string similar to a spider web. I appreciate the help.

 

[MCSInc]

Close but I am guessing it is a vermitid (spelling?) snail in the smaller variety. I have some in one of my tanks and yes they can just about puncture your skin if you grab one and the rock is very heavy. I never really see the net they put out but it is probably there.

Candy

 

[twilliard]

And I always called them worms.

I do remember a thread a while ago and thats what they called them but much bigger. I bet these are just babies

 

[MCSInc]

There is a bigger variety and I have seen maybe 5 of them ever, but the small variety like this seem to multiply easily. I guess they are just one more filter feeding cool critter - that is as long as you don't grab directly onto one of their tubes.

Candy

 

[auqua man]

Yes I also have many of these on my live rock. And yes they can be sharp and very hard. I have seen the string before but I did not realize it was from those things. They have spread around the live rock quickly I see no harm as of yet. I am not sure of a name maybe someone will chime in.

 

[MCSInc]

Here is some information that I copied from one of Nikki's posts in the hitchhiker gallery.

"I agree with wrightme43 - Vermetid snail. you can make out its two tentacles in the second pic. Here is a video of them eating: Feeding Behavior of a Vermetid Gastropod

Also, this article: Worms that ain't....Vermetid Snails In Marine Aquaria by Ron Shimek
__________________
~Nikki~ "

It gives a better explanation of how they feed.

Candy

 

[JRBear5658]

I had one of the big kind on a rock that always tried to lasso my kellogi seahorse up about once a day my seahorse always just swam away but just letting you know the big ones do trying grabbing bigger things

JR

 

[returnofsid]

Featherduster tube worms. Great to have. They're filter feeders, NOT light demanding and look really cool. They show up on live rock a lot.

 

[mud1059]

I started with 2 large ones about the size of a quarter on a small rock. There were a couple small ones but they didn't seem to harm anything. Now they're ALL OVER. (The small ones that is) I have one poor rock that looks like it's a weapon from midievil times. They do sometimes have the small antenae and they also have the silky stringy discharge. Thanks for the help folks.