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Nemertean, Proboscis or Ribbon Worm Identification FAQs
Related FAQs: Worm Diversity FAQs,
FAQs 2, FAQs 3, &
Worm IDs 1, Worm
IDs 2, Worm IDs 3,
Worm IDs 4, Worm IDs 5,
Worm IDs 6, Worm IDs 7,
Worm IDs 8, & Worm ID FAQs by Group/Phylum:
Flatworm Identification ID, Nematode,
Roundworm ID,
Nematomorpha, Horsehair Worm ID,
Acanthocephalans, Thorny-headed Worm ID,
Polychaete Identification,
Polychaete ID 2, Tubeworm ID,
Hirudineans, Leech ID, Sipunculids,
Peanut Worm ID, Echiuran Worm ID,
Related Articles: Worms,
Polychaetes, Flatworms/Planaria, | 
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White worm
– 11/10/09
Bob, I apologize if you did get this email and I am just in too big a hurry.
<Don't recall ever seeing this>
I can't find any article or picture like this worm. I am very concerned for
my fish. I tried to meet your picture size needs and hope sending two was
not too bad but hope you can determine what this worm is and if I
should remove the rock (major aquascape project) to protect my pets. Its too
skittish and fast to catch. Trapping hasn't been successful.
It has also been suggested it may be a Polychaetes, Glycera rouxi (found on
your site) but it is white, not brown.
<Come in different colors, shades... are there any bristles on the side of
this worm? Your pix are too poorly resolved to see much. Take a look on the
net for the family Glyceridae>
I don't see where this is "good" or "bad" for SPS and LPS. I have both.
I see there are several responses dated 11/9/09 but have never written to
you so am possibly just too anxious for your knowledge.
Thanks, Jolene
<Might be an Errantiate Polychaete... could even be a Nemertean from the
pic: http://wetwebmedia.com/ribnwrmidfaqs.htm
Bob Fenner>
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Re: white worm – 11/10/09
Your site is awesome. I've read so much about (*&*&(^ worms in the last few
days! I don't see any "legs" it just slithers (partially) out of the rock
then nips at it and quickly retreats back, then out again.
<Ahh! Then doubtful this is a Polychaete (means: "many bristles")>
Its very thin. It appears it probably has two tentacles at the mouth end but
is so small/short I can't really tell. It doesn't look like any of the worm
pics on your site (or any other) of any color. Actually, the closest
resemblance is from your site in worm section 4 (I think) under Polychaetes
reproductive comments. But, it has not been swimming freely or floating in
the water column. What do you think?
Jolene
<Nah, not an epitoke... these are very active, as you state, and rather
short lived... and don't generally feed! BobF, who's sticking with his guess
that this is a ribbonworm for now>
Re: white worm
– 11/11/09
Thank you so much and such fast communications! I will keep a close eye on
it and read more about ribbon worms. It doesn't sound like they are harmful.
I'll try to get a better picture for our club meeting (11/21) so they can
see a better picture than what I currently have. I'll send to you as well.
They are the ones who introduced me to your site.
I know our club would love to have you a guest if you are ever in our area
(Arkansas).
Jolene
<I do get out and about. Please have your "program director" designate
contact me re. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Re: white worm – 11/11/09
I'll pay more attention when the lights go out and try to get a better
picture. I can't get the rock out without disassembling the tank and don't
want to do that unless absolutely necessary but of course I will if needed.
I feel better that you guys have not said "oh no, its a >>>> get it out
quick"!
<Ahh! I would leave this animal in your system. Are interesting behaviorally
and not damaging given "large enough systems" which you have>
White and no appendages. Is that "common"?
<Not uncommon>
I can't find an exact picture anywhere but Bob's remarks and thoughts also
sound very reasonable.
<Thought I'd referred you. Please see here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/ribnwrmidfaqs.htm>
How does one become a worm expert?
<Heeee! Study... college courses in invertebrate zoology, diving, working in
sorting and identifying benthic animals for bioassays.... There are MANY
worm groups (phyla) and tens of thousands of species... all sorts of life
styles, feeding modes, free-living to obligate parasites... tiny to quite
huge>
A very "special" person I'm sure! I've not seem anything like these little
worms in the Caribbean where I dive. I guess they are there, yuk.
Jolene
<Heeeee Heheeee. Just have to be looking closer. Much to see. Bob Fenner> |
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Can you Identify This Invertebrate? Possible Nemertean – 7
21/09
<Hello Kelly, Lynn here this evening.>
I am in need of your help. It seems nobody has been able to identify
this creature we just noticed in my saltwater tank. He is about six
inches when he stretches out, two maybe when he shrinks, long and thin,
white with thin black stripes. He snakes slowly around the walls of my
tank minding his own business during the day, we have never noticed him
at night. I have searched the internet and found nothing! I need to know
what he is and if he is reef safe? I’m attaching three pics. He is
stretched out straight
in these.
<Well, it looks a bit like a Nemertean (aka a ribbon worm) but without
detailed photos, I can’t be sure. If you have a magnifying glass, take a
close look and see if the worm is segmented or smooth, and whether it
has any legs or appendages on either side. If it’s smooth with nothing
on the sides, chances are good that it’s a Nemertean. These worms are
typically long, skinny, mostly carnivorous predators of other worms,
probably amphipods and such. The good news is that when they do turn up
as hitchhikers, they’re usually small, stay that way and don’t seem to
cause any trouble. I’d leave the little guy in place and enjoy him.
For more information, please see the following links:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ribnwrmidfaqs.htm
Similar Nemerteans: http://nemertea.lifedesks.org/files/nemertea/images/Picture1.png
By the way, if you rule out a Nemertean, do try to get some good
close-up shots of the head and body and send them on to us. We’ll see if
we can’t figure out what the little critter is!>
Thanks, Kelly
<You’re very welcome. Take care, LynnZ>
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Re: Can you Identify This Invertebrate?
Possible Nemertean – Nope, Something Else 7/21/09
<Hello, Kelly>
He is segmented, that's all the more I can tell you at this time.
<Every bit helps, thanks!>
I will get some better photos and better close-up of his head as soon as
I see him again. He or she as it maybe has a baby floating around we
just found last night.
<Interesting. Some Polychaetes reproduce by way of budding
("stolonization"). That is, breaking off segments of their body to
produce young. I’ll be looking forward to seeing those photos! Take
care, LynnZ>
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Long Black Worm: Nemertean – 8/25/08
Hello Everyone,
<Hi
there, Kayren!>
This site is GREAT!
<Thanks!>
You have
helped me identify most of the interesting things I've discovered
living in my 40 gallon tank as a result of using live rock (about 35
pounds so far - I know I need more). It's been set up for about 9
months now, and going pretty well. I have an Emperor filter on the
back rated for 80 gallons (containing filter floss, 2 regular carbon
filters, a Poly Filter and one bag Chemi Pure).
<That’s a packed
filter!>
I have a submersible 7 watt UV sterilizer. I will soon
be getting a 350 Magnum Deluxe and a protein skimmer. I'm also using
an under gravel filter with about 3 inches of gravel; crushed coral,
I think. (I found out afterwards that's not particularly the best
way to have gone).
<Unfortunately, it’s not, but with proper
attention it should be okay. Please see these links (along with
related links at top of page)
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/ug5proscons.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/u_gfiltmarfaqs.htm >
The occupants at
the moment are a Fox Face Rabbitfish, an Olive Tang, a Sailfin Tang
(they get along ok),
<Unfortunately, they won’t long term. A
forty gallon display doesn’t supply enough room for any one of these
fish, let alone all three. They may be okay right now if they’re all
very small, but as they grow they’re going to get stressed. When
that time comes, you’ll very likely see increased aggression and
disease issues. Please see these links (and related links above):
Rabbitfish/Siganids: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/rbtfshsysfaqs.htm
Tangs: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tangsysfaqs.htm >
..a Mandarin
Goby,
<These are sometimes referred to as gobies, however they’re
actually Dragonets. Also, unless it’s eating “alternative” foods
(frozen Mysis, etc), you’re going to need a continual supply of
small live invertebrates (amphipods, copepods). These can be
obtained either through cultivation or purchase. Please see these
links (and related above): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mandarins.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mandfdgfaqs.htm >
a Yellowtail Damsel,
<Can be mean little suckers!>
5 Green Chromis, 2 Red-leg Crabs, 1
Blue-leg crab; and the occupants this site helped me to identify: a
Brittle Star, Spaghetti Worms, Stomatellas, Feather Duster Worms,
<Nice hitchhikers.>
..as well as a few others. Question: Is it
ever a good idea to just take out the airlift tubes and stop using
the under gravel filter after it's been set-up, or would the water
underneath the filter just get too yucky?
<Could be a problem,
but should be okay. What you’d have would essentially be a “plenum”
Please see these links (along with related links at top of pages):
http://wetwebmedia.com/Plenums.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/plenumuse.htm >
The individual I
encountered two days ago is the one I need your help to identify.
<All right, now we get to the fun stuff!>
I searched the site,
but didn't find anything that sounded like it. I was using a new
gravel vac (actually an Eheim Sludge remover that works really
well). Shortly thereafter I noticed this LONG black worm in the
gravel, but visible because it was pressed up between the glass and
the gravel on the side. It looked similar to an earthworm, but
without the middle part. It looked to be between 1/4 - 1/2 inches
wide, perhaps about 1/2 inch in girth, and the part that I could see
was about 6 inches long; I never saw the end but I could tell the
worm continued past the part I could see. It didn't look like it had
any legs; and what I assumed was the head portion could have been
about 1/2 inch long, and looked comparable to something being
wrapped in cellophane tape (maybe it's a 'tape' worm! lol).
<Heheee!>
After moving around a bit, it moved deeper into the
gravel, but I think it's still near the glass because I think I can
still see parts of it. Anyway, your expert opinion would be greatly
appreciated.
<LOL Well, I’m hardly an expert, but I’ll offer my
opinion anyway! Your mystery creature looks like a harmless
Nemertean, or Ribbon worm. Please see these links for photo
comparison and more information:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ribnwrmidfaqs.htm
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html>
I've attached a
picture taken in the macro setting.
<That’s wonderful, thank
you.>
Thanks. (My apologies if the picture is more than a few
hundred Kbytes).
Kayren
<You’re very welcome. Take care,
-Lynn>
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What Is This Worm? A Nemertean! 7/28/08
<Hi there, Wendy.>
Can
you identify this animal?
<Yes, it’s a beautiful little Nemertean
(Phylum Nemertea, likely a species in the genus Notospermus), aka a
Ribbon worm. Please see this link for more information/photos regarding:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ribnwrmidfaqs.htm>
Fully stretched out it
was about 4-5' long (I tore it apart accidentally when I pulled it out
of the rock that it was in)
<Woops!>
Please help. Thanks, Wendy
<No worries, you should be good to go! Take care, -Lynn> | 
Re: What Is This Worm? A Nemertean! 7/28/08
<Hello again,
Wendy!>
Thank you so much for your help.
<You’re very
welcome.>
I looked through this link it seems that it will be
okay to keep it in my tank. But I would like to know what it eats. I
have searched several areas and can't seem to find what it eats.
<Small invertebrates, likely amphipods and such would be my guess.
Nemerteans are predators and scavengers, and although some varieties
can get very long indeed, the ones we usually run across (such as
yours) seem to cause no significant negative impact on the livestock
within the particular system.>
Thanks again
Wendy
<It was
my pleasure. Take care, -Lynn> |
Blue Ribbon Worm? 2/1/06
Hi Guys,
<Robin>
Before I
ask my question I just want to say, you guys are awesome and this
has got to be the best site in the Web for fish keepers!
<Thank
you for your kind words>
In the last 6 months I've gone from
keeping single 150g Loach tank to adding a 75g reef tank to my
apartment. Moving slowly, I now have a handful of
fish, a couple
of coral frags (a thick branch pink birds nest and an amethyst
Porites) and recently added some more live rock.
Along with the
rock I appear to have a brand new hitchhiker. I caught a glimpse of
him this morning just before lights on. I ran and grabbed the
digital camera and managed to get a couple of good photos of him.
<Very nice>
After searching your site I've come to suspect he
may be some sort of ribbon worm.
<Yes... does appear to be a
Nemertean>
But the photos we not terribly clear so I'm not
totally sure (feel free to use any of these photos in the worm ID
section if you like).
He's a beautiful navy blue color with a
jagged white stripe on his head and appears to be velvety in
texture. If he is a ribbon worm, any idea what
species he is, if
he poses a hazard to anyone else in the tank and what he eats?
<Can't identify to species... looks like a Notospermus species
though... widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific>
He's one cool looking critter, so if he's a harmless I'd like to try
and keep him alive and healthy. Thanks in advance for your help and
for such
a fantastic site!
Robin
<I would definitely try
to keep this animal about. A beauty. Bob Fenner> |
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Possible Sea Snake in Reef Tank
Hi Bob,
<Howdy>
I wouldn't
bother you if it weren't important to determine whether or not I have a
sea snake in my reef tank. I had to tear down and move my 72-gallon bow
front for a new carpet installation, and in the process came across what
I believe but hope isn't a sea snake protruding from a rock. I've
attached 3 digital pictures I took so you can get a look. You probably
can't see it well in the pictures, but on the "head" end, there are
white diamond-shaped markings all the way around. I have to tear this
tank down again in a couple days after the carpet is installed and
return it to its permanent location, and needless to say, I'm a bit
"tank shy" after encountering this critter. It didn't come completely
out of the rock, but as you can see in the pictures, it's well over a
foot long without coming all the way out. Also, when it was "standing,"
the neck appeared to widen and "flatten out" as would a Cobra or some
type of snake that stands like that.
<Neat... you appear to be the
not-so-proud owner of a Ribbonworm (Phylum Nemertea). Not to worry re...
it will not harm you or your livestock. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/worms.htm>
Your prompt (or even better
- immediate!) response would be greatly appreciated. I hope to learn
this is some harmless animal that does not need to be removed.
<I
would do my best to not disturb the system too much in moving... drain
the water out, move tank, put the water back in. This animals presence
is tribute to your good husbandry. Bob Fenner>
Peggy |  |
Snake in Reef?!
Bob,
<Peg>
Many thanks for your very prompt
response to my e-mail regarding the snake-like critter in my
system. This is one worm I surely was not familiar with, and am I ever
glad he's a worm and nothing worse!! Now I won't have
the fear of
God in me when I tear down again to return the tank to the living
room. I also thank you for the compliment regarding husbandry. I live
for all my gifts from the sea!
<Ahh, a gracious statement>
Thanks
again,
<Glad to share. Bob Fenner>
Peggy Re: Possible Sea
Snake in Reef Tank
Hi Bob,
<Hello Peggy, good morrow>
Many
thanks for your prompt response. I'm happy to know this beautiful
animal is harmless and also that my husbandry has contributed to its
well-being. They surely have the appearance of a snake when they stand!
I don't look forward to tearing down yet again to move the tank back to
the living room, but one must do what one must do. That will be its
last move for a very long time!
<Do enjoy the process. Bob Fenner>
Thanks again.
Peggy
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