PolychaeReproFAQs

Bristle/Fireworms Reproduction FAQs

Related Articles: Worms, Polychaetes, Flatworms/Planaria,

How long is too long for dried worm eggs? 6/17/16
Hi folks!
<Sal>
Been dry for almost four years, since Sandy. Just filled the 55 this week. I had my live rock in water with heat and PH the whole time (fed it now and then) and drained the tank after a quick clean-up, but I left everything dry. I was wondering, if there were any Bristleworm eggs in the sand, would they survive dry all this time?
<Unlikely>
I know brine shrimp can go a few years dry, but I have no idea about worms or any other critters that may have laid eggs before dying.
I am really stoked about getting this up and running, and I hope saving what I could will make it happen quickly. I'm getting a pair of A. ocellaris back from a friend of mine. I gave them to him 6 years ago, when they were just 4 months old, and now they've just started laying eggs. I don't expect to be remembered, but I had quite a bit of back-n-forth with
several of the crew in early 2010. To refresh your memories, the baby clown on page 5 of the clownfish breeding section is one of mine. Yep, I'm THAT guy, hehe.
<Welcome back!>
If you folks think the worms are gone forever, I'll see about getting a cup of sand from a friend.
<Yes, I would>
Very much thanks,
-Sal
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Jelly like substance. 1/11/16
Hello again! (Happy vacation Bob!)
<Thanks Kittie; just back from the restaurant here in Key Largo>
I am hoping that perhaps one of you other knowledgeable crew members might know what this is and if I did right by removing this.
<Yes; a reproductive event. Not a problem>
This has happened twice in 1 - 1 1/2 months. The first time I noticed, in my saltwater tank. this jelly like blob very close to what I believed was a spaghetti worm cone,
<Yes>
I left it alone thinking egg sack but then several minnows got ensnared and started to decompose. I removed that and today I noticed this on basically in the same spot. I do have spaghetti and feather duster worms, which I enjoy watching. Is this a sign of stress or hopefully happiness of the worms?
<More likely they are "happy">
Should I be worried?
<Mmm; no>
I have looked online and have been unable to find a match to the attached photos. Any knowledge you have would be appreciated!
Sincerely,
Kittie
<This, these are Polychaete worm reproductive materials. I'd just net out and remove. Bob Fenner>

white errant Polychaetes? 5/10/11
Good afternoon! I am writing in regards to this particular article about the white worms (notably, the one adjacent to the Nassarius snail).
>>http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WormIDF14.htm
<Okay>
I work at a lfs and the other day a customer showed me a video of several of these white worms swimming around his tank. When they hit the glass they would stick.
<Unusual...>
I spent a few hours reading over this particular link and others hoping to find out what exactly they are.
Is it possible that these white worms are in fact the same epitoke bristle worms described in the white worm response?
<Yes>
I just wanted to check with you guys before I gave the customer an answer.
Also, he says he sees them at night-- like, 2 or 3am.
<Another good clue>
Any help would be appreciated!!
-Ina Marshall
Fins of Franklin
Franklin, Tennessee
<Bob Fenner>

Bristleworms... Observations... Reproduction and Removal 10/21/07 Hey Team: <Hi John, Mich here.> Not really a question today, just more of an observation. I was scraping my tank walls and creating quite the amount of wave action ;). During the process tons of red bristle worms came out and began hanging half way out of the rocks and then releasing a red (pinkish) fluid into the water <Possibly reproductive materials.> I am sure they do this all the time, however, it was the first time I had witness such occurrence. <Neat!> Also was a great opportunity to pick out some of the longer ones. <Thanks for sharing. Mich> John

Night of the Triffids... Polychaete repro. event 4/25/07 Tonight (April 24, 2007) before the lights went off watching my tank (200 gal, 7 years old) I saw something truly strange. Water started changing into milky colour, very quickly. Worms, light pink, between 1-2 ", looked like bristly (but I've a doubts - I use something similar for fishing) <Yes> sticking their heads from all over and spitting white sperm-like matter. <This and eggs> Didn't know so many in my tank. Hundreds of them! Bottom - No sand - shells only and rocks. Fishes were bothered a little by the whole situation; corals and anemones not at all. During the day, when I vacuum tank's bottom, always get a good bunch of them. If that what happened is what I think it is - I'm in trouble: in the near future there will be infestation of these worms in my tank. One good thinks - they have to eat what is left on the bottom after snails, crabs and shrimps. After few hours water is still white cloudy. What in the world what that? Night of the Triffids? I presume. Marcin Mankowski <Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaebehfaqs.htm and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

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