Pink Centepede Thing

[Cheryl]

And another question..... :D

This afternoon I spotted a pink centepede/worm type thing stretching out from under a piece of liverock ! :(

What is it?

and should I start screaming, panicing and strippping the tank down to try to get it out? :wacko:

Thanks

Cheryl

[Preds]

Without a pic (and sometimes with) it's difficult to say if the worm is dangerous or not. Was it a bristleworm?

[bunglehaze]

By the decsription i could be any number of worms - I recently posted a thread on a pink centipede type thing called a eunice worm, it may be worth looking up on the net to see if that is your culprit. As Preds has said it is very difficult to ID worms without pics

hope this helps

leigh :D

[Cheryl]

I think that may be what it is (I looked at some pics on the net but they seamed a little more red than what I saw)

Should I get rid of it then?

[BrianO]

Hi Cheryl :)

Should I get rid of it then Probably Not !

Chances are they are bristleworms, I say that as u described them as " Centipede " lookalikes , assuming the bristles that protrude from the side of a bristleworm are the reason for your description.

Are they big ? , there are many different types of bristleworms, the most common I have found being Eurythoe spp. ( no book handy so spelling might be slightly off ) . Anyway they are basically scavengers, that perform a vital function within the confines of your mini reef ecosystem. They will dispose of uneaten food and likewise will devour any dead animals , if in sufficient numbers, preventing fouling of the water.

My tank is teeming with them, this tank has a vast array of SPS Softies and other Inverts and fish , with no problems.


So the old addage applies , Unless a certain ID is got and the culprit is tried and convicted of the heinous crime of " Crimes against Reefing " leave em be :)



Brian.

[Cheryl]

Thanks Brian,

I've only seen one so far and its about the same size as your average centipede too.

If I see it again though I'll try and get a pic to be on the safe side
(its an elusive little critter though)

[druid5303]

Cheryl one important thing that everyone has forgot to mention is don't pick it up. It's like having a fibreglass rash. I inadvertently did this as it was under a rock. Best cure by the way guys Teetree and lavender.....
Most people now agree that brristle worms are benificial and when you see them attacking corals, its the coral that is already decaying so eating the bad bits off actually helps...
Get yourself a good invert book "a quick reference to inverts is a good one by J.Sprung.
Druid

[pingoshea]

Hi cheryl,

Have scanned an article about bristleworms with them attacking a small fish.
I recently have lost some small fish from the wife`s tank and could`nt work out why until after reading this artical and put 2+2 together.
I removed the rocks and right at the back was a large bristler worm must have been 8-10 inches in length.
Frightened me i can tell you.
I removed all the bristle worms which in itself is hard enough in a fish only tank as you just put the rocks in fresh water and the worms die and fall out.
I was amazed at how many there were in there.

Anyway people and books will all tell you different things.
Its your decision.
Best of luck,
Rick.

[pingoshea]

OH AND MORE INFO.

[Preds]

I would be very surprised if the worm could catch a fish. A healthy fish should surely be able to swim away from a worm, no matter how big. In that picture, it seems that the fish has died and the bristleworms are doing their job of eating an already dead animal - therefore 'cleaning up.' That fish has ragged fins, and has that dead look about it. If those bristleworms did catch it, it has rotted exceptionally quickly, as in within seconds of dying.

Personally, I'd be surprised if any common bristleworm could catch a healthy fish. You'll get the odd polycheate worm that will attack corals, but the vast majority are harmless detritivores, in my experience. Again, IMO, I wouldn't have scoured the tank looking for bristleworms. They perform an essential role in the tank, consuming waste food, and you're almost bound to have left one behind. That one will quickly turn into a population again. Also, for what it's worth, when I changed tanks a few months ago, I found a 10 inch long bristleworm in my old tank. I chucked it in my new tank without a second thought, as I have never had any problems from any worms in my tank.

It's totally your call though.

[Cheryl]

OK we've finally caught the little blighter on camera ! :D

Anyone who can tell me what he is ?

And any advice on what I should do about him ?

I would really apreciate it ! :)

Thanks

Cheryl

[Preds]

Yep, looks like a Eurythoe spp. polycheate worm - your normal bogstandard bristleworm. I've never experienced one of these worms attacking anything, I'd be inclined to leave it be. I've probably got a hundred in my tank, never had any problems.

[BEVS OASIS]

B) personally i dont mind the small ones,
but people say that if it gets above 3 inch in an unstretched state its time to remove it. the best method ive used is the one somebody posted into marine world.

it simply used an old baby bottle (empty and clean to say without a doubt)

with 2-3 inch of tube hanging out of the end.

place a little food inside.

leave in the tank for two days max

if you are lucky and catch the elusive begger first night youve been damned lucky. it took me ages to catch one until i decided to move my pussy coral and there the sod was it said move and i did straight into my enemone

[engineer1]

great thread solved my query.

you can buy traps to catch them in now and they make a cracking stir fry. thats a joke, dont eat them.

[Johnt]

OK we've finally caught the little blighter on camera !


I can't see a picture :confused:

John.

[cajen]

I can't see a picture :confused:

John.

The thread's 4 years old! We've gone through a new board setup since then and old photos were lost.

[Johnt]

The thread's 4 years old! We've gone through a new board setup since then and old photos were lost.

Thanks Clive, never thought of checking the date :o.

John.