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FAQs about Worms, Vermiform Animals Identification 10
Related FAQs: 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 IDs 9, Worm ID
11, Worm ID 12, & Polychaete Identification,
Flatworm Identification,
Invertebrate
Identification, Worms 1, Worms
2, Worms 3, Flatworms/Planaria, Fire/Bristleworms, FAQs
on: Worm Behavior,
Worm Compatibility, Worm Selection,
Worm Systems, Worm
Feeding, Worm Disease,
Worm Reproduction,
Related Articles: Worms, Featherduster
Worms,
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Weird worm question... comp., ID,
4/25/08
Hello
Recently I received a Gorgonian from a major on-line retailer. After placing it
in my tank I noticed a few small orangey-reddish-brown worms that look like
bristleworms to me as they had a row of bristles (single) on each side (they
were still in the bag with the shipping water... they did not go into my tank,
but not sure if there were others that did!). They were 1/2" or less in size.
However they are very similar to earwigs, especially the mouth parts. I did not
get a pic... sorry! Any ideas or thoughts?
<Are likely as you state... some sort/species of Errantiate Polychaete
annelids...>
I am worried that maybe there were babies or something on the rock that I
missed! I spoke to the retailer and they said that they treat and quarantine all
inverts for at least2 weeks and have not had any sort of problem. Am I being
paranoid? HELP
I cannot find any pics of them on line!!
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/polychaecompfaqs.htm
and the linked files above... Bob Fenner>
Strange Creature... Planaria...
Mmmm, flatworms 3/9/08
Hey Gang.
<Hi Wuf, Mich here.>
I have been trying to identify this creature for a few days. I can't for
the life of me figure out what it is. They are starting to accumulate on
some of my rocks. To give you an idea of scale, the specimen pictured in
IDme1.jpg is right at 1/16th of an inch. Any idea? -wuf
<Well the good news... Yes I can tell you what it is... The bad news...
you don't want it. Is a pest, an Acoel flat worm. Yours is looking like
its reaching plague proportions. You will likely need to address the
situation. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/flatworms.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pestflatwrmanthony.htm
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news,
Mich> |
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New Tank, New Live
Rock, worms? Bristleworms 12/28/2007
Hi Crew~
<Hi Rachel, Mich here>
Can you also please tell me what kind of creature this is?
<Are Errantiate Polychaetes, Bristle worms, and generally beneficial
detritivores.>
I turned my light on and noticed several of these centipede things on my
live rock. I just started the tank 2 weeks ago. Is this a bristle worm??
<Yes.>
Should I be worried to add fish?
<No.>
I only have snails and 3 small hermits now.
<Let your tank cycle and mature a bit. In the meantime set up a QT tank
for any new livestock. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/QuarMarFishes.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quarinverts.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/quaranti.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_3/cav3i4/quarantine/Quarantine.htm
Thank you so very much for your help. I have researched so many pics but
cannot find anything that looks like this.
<I would not be worried here.>
Sincerely,
Rachel
<Cheers, Mich> |
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Worm or
snake? 12/28/07
<Hello Heather and Mr. Vice President... Mich here asking to be
pardoned for the long delay in response.>
We are setting up a reef tank (65 gallons) and have been at this for
about 2 months. Two days ago we noticed this little guy.
<Well I didn't invent the Internet or win a Noble Prize, but is sure
looks like a Peanut worm (Sipunculid sp.) to me!>
We've seen him stretched out about 2" in length. He doesn't seem to be
particularly afraid of the light and will only go back into hiding
whenever we try to go anywhere near him. Is he friend or foe to the reef
tank?
<The convenient truth, is he is a friend!>
Thank you for your assistance.
Heather Cleaveley & Al Gore
<Welcome!
Michelle Lemech> |
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Search for a photo of a specific marine worm 12/16/07
Hello friends and colleagues,
I received the email below as MASNA President and I'm casting a wide net among
my friends and colleagues in hopes that one of you may have an idea to help this
woman out in her search. If you don't have an answer for her, please pass this
along as quickly as possible to anyone you think could help. I suspect that even
finding a picture of any species in the Tubificoides genus would yield something
very close, but I really don't profess to know much about marine worms!
Thanks,
Cheri Phillips
MASNA President
www.masna.org
<Hi Cher... did a quick look/see via Net resources... Think these folks will
have to go to a large (college with a bio. dept.) library... find the original
description... If unfamiliar, I'd have a reference librarian show them how to
search on BIOSIS or Zoological Abstracts... Bob Fenner>
Subject: Marine worm
My father in law, Don Maurer, did a lot of research back in the 1970s in the
Chesapeake Bay. He wrote numerous journals on marine biology. Because of his
dedicated work he had a marine worm named after him. The worm is called
"Tubificoides Maureri". No one in the family knows what it looks like. I can't
seem to find a picture on the internet of it. I was wondering if you knew where
I can locate this? I wanted to frame it as a Christmas present for him. Thank
you for all of your help.
-Amber Kuhn
Red worms with black Rings?
7/8/07
Hey Crew!
I have searched the website, but found no definite answer. In my tank, these
hair thin worms come out at night in clusters. They come up from the sand in the
same spot every night. They are very thin colored pinkish red with small black
rings. I am worried that they are some type of parasite that will either harm my
fish or coral. If they are harmful, what would be the best way to get rid of
them. Thank you very much guys.
<No worries. They're most likely some kind of Terebellid polychaete or
"spaghetti worm" (highly desirable and fascinating little critters). Each
cluster is one worm. Those thin hair-like things are the worm's feeding
tentacles. Please give no more thought to getting rid of them and do enjoy them.
:) >
- R Delaney
<Best,
Sara M.>
Re: beautiful spaghetti worm
7/9/07
My bad... it's a hair worm, not a spaghetti worm.
Sara
<Yes. RMF>
Re: Red worms with black Rings?
7/10/07
OK Great! Thank you so much.
<No problem. I forgot to say it could also be a "hair worm" (Cirratulid
polychaete). It doesn't really matter though. Both kinds of worms are very good
to have. :-)
Best,
Sara M.> |
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Worm, snail of sorts?
7/7/07
Hey there,
I am once again in need of the WWMedia crew assistance.
Attached are photos of some sort of worm/snail that I found in the tank
today.
I have had the lights off in the tank for two days, trying to kill off an
obnoxious brownish red algae that has taken up residence in one corner of my
tank.
<That sounds like Cyanobacteria. Try increasing water flow to that area. If you
have it many other places in your tank and/or other nuisance algae problems, you
could have excess nutrients.>
When I turned the lights on this evening, I noticed a small whitish tube
protruding from the lip of a piece of rock. It had a crazy long tentacle coming
out of it, just sort of moving around and checking things out. It doesn't have a
fan or any other distinguishing characteristics to speak of. I have looked
through the many pages and faq on the different worms, but I can't find anything
that resembles what has shown up. Nothing has been added or disturbed for
several months, and I can't account for this new addition.
<It's pretty hard to tell from the photos. My guess is that it's some kind of
peanut worm. It would help to have better pictures of where the worm is coming
from.>
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Since the new growth is so small, it will
show up quite nicely if you enlarge the pictures. I was actually shocked to see
it on the computer. It didn't look so great on the camera.
<Actually, it's pretty grainy even when I zoom in. :( >
Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!!
<De nada. Don't worry about the worm. It's almost certainly harmless.
Sara M.>
Thanx!!
Rachael Moore
Re: Worm, snail of sorts?
– 07/07/07
Thanks for the advice.. I moved the powerhead to that area, and it seems to
be helping.
<cool :)>
I noticed today that I also had my first bristle worm that I quickly removed.
<Hmm... the vast majority of bristle worms are beneficial scavengers. Believe it
or not, plenty of people actually buy bristle worms to put in their tanks.
There's no need to remove them unless they're quite obviously one of the few
types that eat coral and get huge.>
I most definitely have some excess nutrients in the water. I would also like to
know if you can recommend a nano skimmer that will work with an Aqua Clear hang
on filter.
<Well, I don't know of any skimmers that would attach to an Aqua Clear hang on
filter. I suggest you just get a hang on skimmer that would act independently of
the Aqua Clear. Aqua C (not the same as Aqua Clear) does make a nano version of
the fabulous Remora that I think would work well with your tank.>
The filter works great, but due to nutrient excess and the fact that I travel
extensively, I need something to help pick up the slack.
<A skimmer should help. However, do make sure you keep up with your water
changes. Water changes are especially important in smaller tanks.>
Can you direct me to some skimmers that will work with this setup?
20gal Odyssea cube
25gal Aqua Clear hang on filter
<For a good overview of the different skimmer options, please see:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1/protein_skimmer_impressions.htm>
Thanx!!
Rachael Moore
<De nada
Sara M.> |
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 Mmm,
maybe a Phoronid. RMF |
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Worm ID 6/29/07
Hello Crew,
<Hello Tom, Mich with you today.>
I have a question about worms.
<Do you have worms? Heee!>
I found that after the main lighting goes off for the evening I have worms.
<Good!>
They are coming from the pores in the live rock.
<OK.>
They are a grayish color and have a flat end. It almost looks as if they were
cut in half. I have attached a picture to assist.
<I see.>
The tank is twenty gallons with twenty five pounds of live rock and forty pounds
of sand. An AquaC Nano Remora skimmer. It has only one small wrasse, some hermit
crabs and 3 snails. Are these worms something to worry about?
<Nope! Looks like you have some peanut worms (Sipunculid species). They are
beneficial members of the clean up crew, feeding on detritus. >
If so, is there a creature that enjoys them as dinner?
<Hermit crabs may prey on them. But you want to keep these worms in your
display.>
The wrasse is asleep when the worms come out to play. Thanks for a great site.
<Welcome! Glad you like it! Mich>
Tom |
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What Is
This Flower Like Thing? A Serpulid Fan Worm – 06/28/07
Hi Crew
<Hi Judi! Mich with you.>
You have all been great answering questions in the past.
<Wonderful to hear!>
I have ‘something’ on my live rock and finally got a decent pic of
it (below).
<I see.>
I could not find any reference to this on your website or in your
book.
<Oh, I promise you they are there.>
When ‘shy’ it is just a pin-prick of a white dot. Then it will open
like a flower to what you see above (the ragged white circle in the
middle of the picture). It is smaller than the head of a pencil
eraser. I have recently found one more on a different rock. I have
noticed it for at least 6 months now, so I’m sure it has been there
longer. It active during the day and at night.
<Judi this is a feather duster, a Serpulid fan worm, a harmless
filter feeder. You can learn more here and the related links in
blue: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm >
Thanks for your help.
<Welcome! Mich>
Judi
Re: What Is This Flower Like Thing? A
Serpulid Fan Worm 6/30/07
Thanks Mitch.
<Welcome Judi!>
I was wondering if it was something like that;
<Yes, I am quite confident with this ID. However, there was a little discussion
about this and I am wondering if you could tell me, can this creature go from
open to "shy" as you put it quickly...ie if it is startled does it quickly
close?>
I thought from pics I've seen that most of the Serpulid Fan Worms appear in
clusters in the book, and this one is solitary.
<Yes, there are colonial and solitary species.>
I do have a couple of small feather duster type worms.
<They are common.>
I also get two spaghetti worms - one type is a bright red and the other has
alternating black/white segments. Both easily found in the book. Great book, by
the way.
<Glad you like it! Mich>
Judi |
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Mmmm, maybe not. RMF |
Questions
about worms 6/24/07
Dear WetWebMedia Crew,
Firstly, thank you for the plethora of information on your website. It's
been an extremely valuable asset in helping me along with my saltwater
aquarium. I wanted to share with you these pictures of what I initially
believed was a single large worm on my live rock. Instead, it seemed to
be a mass of worms moving together. My question is, what exactly were
they doing?
Is it a sort of worm mating ritual? Please let me know.
Thank you,
James
<Mmm, perhaps a manner of living... that confers an advantage in
avoiding predation by moving enmasse. Also helpful juxtaposition for
reproduction. Bob Fenner> |
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Need ID on
annelid or cnidarian… a Peanut Worm (Sipunculid sp.) – 06/11/07
Hello WWM Crew!
<Hi there Paul!>
The information on your forums has been invaluable!
<Glad you have found this helpful!>
We reside in the Northern California Bay Area.
<Lucky you!>
We have had a 35g for about 4 months now, initial 2-month curing period
with live rock and live sand and added 10 Mexican hermit crabs, 10
Nassarius snails, 2 peppermint shrimp, 2 cleaner shrimp, and 1 scarlet
shrimp after the curing period. Both peppermint shrimps, one of the
cleaner shrimps, and several of the hermit crabs did not survive after I
placed about two more inches of live sand into the tank about a week
after they had been introduced.
<Sorry for your loss.>
The tank dimensions are 30X12X22 LxWxH. The water tested is a consistent
79C, Salinity 1.024, pH 8.4, Phosphates, Ammonia, and Nitrites 0.
Nitrates 10, Alkalinity 9, Mg 1200, Ca 440, <Allow to drift lower, under
400.> and Sr 940. In the third month we added two orange spotted gobies
and a maroon clown to the tank. I have moved the maroon clown into a
100g we have downstairs (with a 20g refugium w/live rock, sand,
Caulerpa) today. This tank has been set up for 3 months now, water
parameters are the same as the 35, and includes a refugium recently
converted from a wet/dry with live sand, rock, and Caulerpa.
<Excellent!>
The orange spotted gobies in the 35 were both placed in together, and
immediately paired up. They are small, only 2" in length, one being
larger than the other. The larger goby is vigilant about sifting, rises
to the top and eats copepods near the surface.
It also picks at the live rock. The smaller goby is less active, and
follows the larger around most of the time, sifting occasionally as
well, but does not engage in any other foraging. I feed the tank twice
daily with Spirulina enriched brine. The larger eats
very well and the smaller follows, both resulting in distended stomachs,
so they have both for sure been eating.
<Very good.>
In the past 2 days, the smaller goby has been eating less, say 3-4 brine
instead of the usual 10. Today, he stayed in the cave they had dug out
for most of the day, only head and eyes protruding, but not emerging or
eating during the evening feeding. Is this normal behavior?
<Mmm, doesn't sound like normal behavior for this individual fish... The
brine shrimp don't provide much nutrition. These fish would likely
benefit from supplementation with a vitamin /HUFA supplement such as
Selcon. I would try offering some alternative foods as well, Mysid
shrimp would be a better alternative.>
I know that the 100g with the refugium would better support the diet of
these gobies.
<Likely so.>
Would it cause unnecessary strain to place the larger or smaller goby
into the 100, thereby splitting them up?
<Perhaps as the smaller of the gobies seems to be a bit of a follower,
but you never really know.>
Truthfully, the 100g has seen the death of 4 of these orange spotted
gobies (2 purchased from an unreliable LFS and 2 due to stress) as well
as an algae eating blenny (also purchased from the unreliable LFS, which
we do not buy from any longer).
<Yikes!>
Now, onto the initial subject of this email( ;) sorry for the long
email), which is and ID on some annelid or cnidarian in the 35. I love
searching the tanks with a flashlight late at night, and have been
amazed at population explosions of zooplankton and other nocturnal
creatures.
<Tis fun!>
Tonight, when I was observing the live rock, I came upon a tentacle that
extended about 5 cm out of the interface between the live rock and sand.
It was a vivid black and white banded tentacle about 3 mm wide and the
banding alternated black and
white about every 3 mm. It immediately disappeared from view by
retracting, but in a bizarre fashion. The tip invaginated toward the
medial end of the tentacle very quickly. The tentacle was tubular, did
not taper at the end, smooth, and matte in appearance. I could not get a
picture, but hope you can identify with this information.
<I'm fairly certain you have a Peanut worm (Sipunculid sp.). They are
beneficial detritivores, a positive addition to your tank. Do enjoy you
nocturnal surveys!>
Thank you!
<Welcome! Mich>
Paul |
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Worm id... Sounds (looks???) like a
Peanut worm (Sipunculid sp.) – 6/12/07
Hi Crew!
<Hi Jamie!>
Hope you enjoyed your weekend.
<Mmm, I've had better... my camera is currently on the bottom of a local
lake. I suspect this may delight several WWM crewmembers.>
I am hoping you can help me identify a worm I just discovered living in the
live rock in my aquarium. I have attached 2 pictures, but all I have is a
digital camera
<More than I have currently and I'm having photographic withdrawals.>
and it is hard to get a close picture that isn't blurred.
<Look for a macro setting... The symbol often looks like a flower/daisy. I
really miss my camera!>
The "worm" is curved in the center of the picture.
<Good thing you said this, otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue!>
I am pretty sure the creature in question is not a bristle or fire worm.
<I'm pretty sure you're correct!>
This thing is smooth, white, no noticeable segments. One end attached in the
live rock. Although he is curved in the attached pics, at times one end is
extended and it almost appears there is a "nub" at the front end of him. The
portion of him that is visible is about 1 cm long, by 3-4mm wide. Doesn't
seem to be calcareous, as he is very flexible and is frequently bending from
one side to another.
<Yep, I think you have a peanut worm (Sipunculid sp.), more by the sounds of
it... than the looks of it.>
I have searched the FAQ's and read the related articles on WWM, but didn't
see anything similar to this thing. I am reluctant to pull him out of the
tank if he is beneficial, but just want to make sure he won't pose a threat
to my fish.
<Peanut worms are beneficial scavengers, which feed on detritus.>
As always, thanks so much for your feedback and advice. It is greatly
appreciated.
<Welcome! Mich>
Jamie
Re: Worm id... Sounds (looks???) like a
Peanut worm (Sipunculid sp.) – 06/13/07
Mich
<Hello again Jamie!>
Just wanted to say thinks for the info.
<You're welcome!>
I did some more research last night and as a result I figured it was a
peanut worm as well.
<Very good!>
Only thing that had me second guessing was the color. I read that most
peanut worms are brown but the guy in my tank was white, but otherwise he
looks very similar.
<White is not unheard of.>
Sorry to hear about your camera,
<Thanks!>
and the resulting hard time it sounds like you are going to get from your
fellow Crew members.
<Oh, no the crew in question (You know who you are! ;) Heeheee!) was trying
to remove said camera from my possession a few weekends ago.>
But on the brighter side, it's an excuse to upgrade to a better camera,
right? ;-)
<More than you know!>
And thanks for the photography tip!
<Oh you are most welcome! I'm glad I could help!>
I never thought about the macro setting.
<Yes, this will improve the focus/clarity a great deal on all those up close
photos.>
Thanks again.
<I'm happy I can help. Mich>
Jamie Saltwater "worm" question?? ID 5/27/07
Hi there.
<Hi Jimmy, Mich here.>
I've had my tank for 2 months now, and I have noticed 3 "worm" looking things in
the small rocks at the bottom of my tank, that are probably about 1/2" long and
thin, and have small spikes all around them on the edges, and when I looked
closer, I could see blood, I'm guessing, pumping from the top of their bodies to
the bottom. I'm wondering what the heck are they and are they harmful and any
information at all??
<Sounds like some type of bristleworm, most are harmless scavengers that help to
keep the tank clean. Some photos and more info here and the related links in
blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm >
I would avoid handling these worms. And if you must, then wear gloves. The
"spikes" called chaetae can cause problems ranging from irritation to severe
pain should you get stuck.>
I tried to take a picture, but it won't turn out and I can’t turn the flash off
from my camera.
<...Now where did I put that camera manual? What's that quote about a thousand
words?...>
Thanks in advance.
<Welcome! Mich>
-Jimmy
LR Hitchhiker...Worm ID 5/7/07
Hi Crew! <Hello.> Can anyone help me ID a hitchhiker that I discovered last
night?...dang thing freaks me out. <Will try.> I specifically did a search on
WWM with the worm's characteristics and I guess there may be cause for concern.
This worm has a lamprey mouth, stretches to about 3 inches (maybe longer). He
hasn't left the LR so I can't really tell how long he (or she) is but I do know
it has a tapered end. It takes bites out of the LR but immediately retreats back
into the hole. It is tan and dark brown striped. It did come out while the
lights were on, but was very active last night. I did get video of it, but
couldn't get a good close up pic. Does this critter sound harmful? Thank
you...any help would be greatly appreciated! Jennifer
<Sounds like a harmless peanut worm. Do a search on these and see if it matches
what you have.>
<Chris>
Re: LR Hitchhiker...Worm ID 5/9/07
Thanks Chris. <Sure> From what I could research it appears that is what I
have. Is there a specific website giving detailed info on them? <Try tracking
down Dr. Ron Shimek over on the marine depot forums, he should be able to help
out with identification.> I take it he is a pretty harmless critter? <Yep>
Thank you again for your help! Jennifer
<Welcome>
<Chris>
Kermit the Phyllodocid
Hi,
<Hi Pat>
I found this guy in my last shipment of frags. <Pretty!> He was in a
patch of neon green Favia and managed to grab the rock while he left his
hiding place. I could not find anything like it. Do I have a three mile
island fire worm <Heeheee, good one!> or is there another variety I do
not know about? Do you know what kind it is and if is reef safe?
<I can’t be sure without seeing some close-up photos, but it appears to
be a Phyllodocid polychaete (Family: Phyllodocidae). These are
predators/scavengers of small worms, etc. If it were me (and since it's
already caught), I probably wouldn't put it back in the tank. Please see
these links for photos and additional links/information. At the first
link, see Faq labeled “Hitchhiker worm 10/16/05”.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormidfaqs6.htm
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyummy42/hitchworms.html
Thanks
Pat
<You’re very welcome! Take care. –Lynn> |
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