Spag. worm control   4/26/08
Hi Robert, would you mind if I combined this email with another question I had?
I've been asking everyone and nobody seems to know. Do you think you could help? I need something that is reef-safe and will consume spaghetti worms. I know they are beneficial, but my tank has become oversaturated with them and I'm starting to think that they are irritating the hell out of my softies. I know that CBS and Arrow crabs will eat Bristleworms, but will they go after Spaghetti worms as well?
<Should, yes>
I've seen Red Scooter Blennies go after bloodworms, would they go after the Spaghetti worms? (Same size/shape) Any help would be appreciated. Vince
<I'd go the suitable crustacean route here myself. BobF>

White worms? SW, comp.   2/14/08
Hello, hope all is well with the wet web crew, happy belated new year! I need some help to ID some worm like critters who recently took over my sand bed and are now on my rock. I did take the time to review your worm ID sections, but the only thing close was a pic of your spaghetti worms showing thin white strips, almost hair like, spread out across the live rock, but this is not what I have.
<There are thousands of worm species... several phyla... mostly microscopic>
Tank background information: I have is a 10 gal mini reef with Aqua Remora hang on Protein Skimmer, mechanical filtration, live sand bed (which I supplement with a few pounds a couple times a year), lots of live rock and good water quality. I am just starting my third year with the same tank. I have the basics, xenia, polyps, hammers, leathers, one clown fish, one yellow watchman goby and one emerald crab (the first and only emerald I ever put in the tank).
<... all this in a ten gallon?>
I faithfully conducted 25 percent water changes weekly using RO water for LFS. Because of this site's advice, I have had very few problems (seriously, thanks a lot!). From what I have read, it is possible that what I have is harmless, may have came in the form of larvae (seeded my tank with live sand activator GARF once) and it does appear to feed like a worm. They are relatively new, last six months or so, but are now "taking over my sand bed," living in the rock and in between the polyps, etc. The must have a cement gland because they use the sand to build an anchor like cavity and they can actually throw themselves on the live rock by hurling their bodies to swing the sand-made anchors into crevices on the rock (it's actually pretty cool to watch them crawl p the rock in this fashion. You can easily brush them right off except when they get into a nook and cranny that can't be reached unless you use tweezers. In the sand bed, along side of the rocks they build like a chimney pipe.
<Fancy term, they're tubiculous... tube-building/living... still thousands of possibilities, a few phyla>
I do not have a camera and can't draw to save my life. This description is all I have. I am concerned about the volume of them and the possibility of a nutrient problem, but everything checks out water quality wise (nitrate, nitrite, calcium levels, water hardness, PH, etc.). I will soon be going to a larger tank in the spring and don't want them to follow because they are turning the top layer of sand into course like clumps and this can't be good for the live sand bed. I am hoping for an ID and a natural way of eradication (other then the tedious act of picking all them off each, which some will inevitably be missed). Please help me if you can, thanks from Long Island, NY.
<I don't think these worms are a problem, nor will be. If it were me, mine, I'd leave them be, continue the maintenance you've been doing. Bob Fenner>

Huge Peanut Worm and Bristleworm - 1/23/08
Hi Crew,
<Hi Jeff>
Getting back in the hobby after a 3 or 4 year hiatus (after moving from KC to ATL).
<Wonderful! I see in your follow-up mail that it’s a 28g nanocube – neat!>
I have 30 lbs of live rock and a small CUC. Last night I noticed what I think is a HUGE peanut (Sipunculid) worm. He was coming out of one rock and going into another. When I shined a light on it, it retracted into the lower rock. I could see the 'fuzzy' head and it is tan in color with black bands, so I am pretty sure it is a peanut worm.
<Does sound like it, except for the part about it coming out of one rock and going into another. They’re usually fairly stationary. Did it come completely out, or was it just reaching out/exploring? Maybe he was looking for a new home, perhaps something with a nice view [grin].>
However, this thing is thicker than a pencil when stretched about 4 inches from one rock to another. Do these guys really get that big?
<Yes, they do. Supposedly, they can get up to around 6” in length, but most we see in aquariums are much smaller. Thankfully, they’re all harmless detritivores.>
I read somewhere that in tanks that are fed sparingly they can starve to death.
<Sadly, yes.>
With this guy being so big I am worried about the water pollution that could result from his death. Should I try removing him?
<I understand your concerns, but I wouldn’t. Chances are, you wouldn’t get him out in one piece. Plus, you’d have one heck of a time just trying to grab hold of him. They’re very quick! I’d keep an eye on the situation. If you notice your hermits gathering at the “front door” of the Sipunculid’s "home", I’d take the rock out and try to flush out any remains. You can use something like a turkey baster and saltwater. Until/unless that happens, I’d continue to enjoy him.>
I also have a very active fireworm (grayish pink with setae on its sides). As far as I can tell he is about 5 inches long. So far, he has not bothered any of the 8 snails or 2 scarlet hermits I have.
<Have seen some this size+ in my tanks, and although I’ll admit they do give me a slight case of the “willies”, they’ve never been a problem. Just depends on which type you have.>
Is there any way to definitively tell if this guy is friend or foe?
<Yep, if he eats your corals, he’s foe! Sorry, couldn’t resist! There are two commonly discussed hitchhiking amphinomids/bristleworms: the notorious coral/gorgonian eating Hermodice canunculata (aka the “Bearded Fireworm”), and the scavenging/beneficial Eurythoe complanata (common bristleworm). The less common Hermodice canunculata usually has bright red/pinkish areas (gills) at the base of the setae (“bristles”), while the more common Eurythoe complanata does not (all white). Also, the “bristles” appear more compact/densely arranged in Hermodice spp. compared to Eurythoe. It’s a distinctly different look that stands out once you know what to look for. There are also some differences regarding their heads (caruncles), but you’d have to get in close to see them. Both, however, can sting the living daylights out of you, so be sure not to touch them with your bare hands!
Getting back to the friend or foe issue, if you've got a common bristleworm (Eurythoe sp.), no problem. They're mostly harmless/welcome additions that add to the diversity in a reef tank. Unlike most crabs that I consider guilty until proven innocent, these worms should be considered innocent until proven guilty. They’re often wrongfully blamed for killing fish, snails, shrimp, etc., when in reality they’re scavengers/detritivores that are not equipped for grasping/killing healthy livestock. For example, they don’t have the eversible grasping jaws that a predatory Eunicid has. Bristleworms don’t have jaws at all. What they do have is a sort of rasping device that essentially “licks” the food into the worm's mouth. These worms sniff out the dead, or dying, and help keep our tanks clean. If that Sipunculid dies, a bristleworm will be one of the first at the “dinner table”!
One thing of note that I’ve come across regarding amphinomids/bristleworms is a general rule of thumb stating that if the worm is larger than the diameter of a pencil, that you should consider trapping/removing it. Personally, if it’s not doing any damage, I’d leave it. On the other hand, if what you have is definitely a fireworm, Hermodice canunculata, I’d recommend removing it. If you see it out and about, simply use some tongs and carefully lift it out. Otherwise, you can use a commercially available trap or homemade version. There's a wealth of information on this at WWM and on the internet. Please see these links for photos and more information regarding worm diversity:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyummy42/hitchworms.html>
Thanks in advance for your help,
Jeff
<You're very welcome! Take care -Lynn>

Re: Huge Peanut Worm and Bristleworm - 1/23/08
<Hi Jeff>
Sorry, forgot to mention that this is a 28 gallon nanocube.
<Thanks! -Lynn>
 

Hitch hiker ID Please? Folks, <Howdy> The attached picture is of a "creature" that I found in my new 75 gallon reef tank. <No file attached> The tank is cycling with live rock only at this time.  There are a few smallish crabs and snails and whatnot that came in on the live rock; no harm done.  However, I found this "thing" crawling around on the DSB yesterday.  It moves like an inchworm, attaching to surfaces with its mouth and pulling itself into a bell curve before attaching with its tail and so on.  The scary thing is that the oral opening looks A LOT like a lamprey.  Unlike lamprey, it has a suction cup like tail as well. <Ah ha! (imagine best Sherlock Holmes impression). Does sound like a leech> I've posted on many boards and everyone seems stumped.  I was wondering if you could help.  I do have SOME time as the tank is cycling.  However, I don't want to lose track of it, or "let it be" if it is harmful.   <I'd remove this animal> I'd sure be upset if I found it one day attached to and sucking the life out of my clowns or Dottyback!  Thank you in advance, David PS.  I've read the Reef Invert book from cover to cover and am on round two.  It's a great resource and is extremely entertaining in that "Fenner, Calfo, WWM" way. <Mmm, sometimes predictability is fine. Bob Fenner>

Re: Hitch hiker ID Please? Boy it's been a long week ;)  Sorry.  Picture is now attached. <D> <Much more definitely a leech. Again, I'd give it the heave-ho. All Hirudineans are parasitic... Bob Fenner>

Spaghetti worms - marine 1/14/04
I've looked and looked and looked and can't really seem to find the answer to this questions, so could you PLEASE HELP???  Are spaghetti worms something to worry about in a salt water aquarium tank?  
<they are very helpful... detritivores. I'm not sure where exactly you were looking... but a simple keyword search on Google or another large search engine turns up hundreds of references to these desirable denizens of marine substrates>
I've just discovered some coming out of the live rock.  Let me know if they need to be fished out or are actually a good critter to have in there.  THANKS!   Jen
<they are as good as gold if you could breed and sell them. Keepers. Anthony>