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Bristle/Fireworms Identification FAQs 7
Related FAQs: Polychaete ID 1,
Polychaete ID 2, Polychaete ID 3,
Polychaete ID 4, Bristleworm ID 5,
Bristleworm ID 6, Bristleworm ID 8,
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,
Nemertean, Proboscis, Ribbon Worm ID,
Nematode, Roundworm ID,
Nematomorpha, Horsehair Worm ID,
Acanthocephalans, Thorny-headed Worm ID,
Tubeworm ID, Hirudineans, Leech ID,
Sipunculids, Peanut Worm ID, Echiuran
Worm ID, & Bristle/Fireworms 1,
Bristle/Fireworms 2, Bristle/Fireworms
3, Bristle/Fireworms 4,
Worm Identification, Polychaete
Behavior, Polychaete
Compatibility, Polychaete System,
Polychaete Selection, Polychaete
Feeding, Polychaete Disease,
Polychaete Reproduction, Related
Articles: Worms,
Polychaetes, Flatworms/Planaria, | 
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Xenia (pest?) and worm (ID, comp.) 2/20/09
Hi. I'd like to thank you for all your help. Today I noticed that
one xenia colony has brown/black specks crawling all over it.
<Mmmm>
Just a few days ago a crab reproduced, so I wonder if it
could be crabs eating away at the xenias. I say eating because some
of the branches look like tiny parts are missing. If it is not tiny
crabs, what else could they be?
<Small crustaceans... or
Nudibranchs... or... Need a much higher resolved image or two to
tell. There are treatments for all... see here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/LR,LS/HH%20PPT%20Pitch%20Cells/HHProsConsart.htm>
Is there anything I need to worry about? We have two xenia colonies
and only one shows the spots. I have attached a few pictures.
<If
it is convenient, easy to do, I would move the one showing these
moving zots to another system... carefully lift it and place it in a
container underwater... so that if this is a pest, predator it
doesn't fall off...>
When I was checking on the xenias, this
yellow worm was stuck to the glass.
I did some research and it
looks like it could be a spaghetti or medusa worm. Can you confirm
which one it is. Is it harmless in my tank?
<Should be... it is
almost assuredly a species of Errantiate Polychaete, see the Net
re... Perhaps a member of the family Cirratulidae>
I have removed
it from the tank temporarily until I learn more about it.
Thanks
for all your wonderful help.
Cindy
salinity 1.025
nitrite 0
ammonia < .25
nitrate 2.5
ph 8.4
Alk 1.7 - 2.8
<Bob
Fenner> |  |
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Saltwater Polychaete ID Question: Syllid Stolonization – 1/19/09
Hello
<Hi there, Andrew.>
I've been reading over this site
basically constantly since I set up my saltwater tank a little over two
weeks ago and found many good IDs for all sorts of things that have
popped up in my tank including a Collonista sp. snail who has now
happily been returned to my tank.
<Excellent, they’re terrific little
grazers.>
A few days ago I moved a rock covered with Zoanthids and
Palythoas because I didn't like its placement. I changed things around a
little bit more and had more polyps open again but there was one section
on one part of the rock where I still wasn't having any luck. From this
rock I've already removed a Pycnogonid and a Nudibranch that was also
eating some of my Palythoas
<Yikes>
so my next thought was that I
either had another of either of those two I'd missed or that I had
something completely new. Earlier today I saw a worm that looked like it
was leaving the closed head of a Palythoa polyp
<Uh-oh>
but wasn't
able to get a good look or picture. Later on though I saw it again and
was able to suck it out using a turkey baster. I've attached a picture
for some help with the identification. The worm is about 2 cm long. It
also looks to me like there are a number of segments near the tail of
the worm that could break off to form new worms - it looks like they
have eyes and tentacles like the larger worm, especially on the back
three segments.
<Terrific observations. That is one bizarre but neat
looking little creature, isn’t it! What you have is a Polychaete worm
(Family: Syllidae) that looks a lot like a species of Myrianida. Its
more than unusual appearance is because it’s in a reproductive phase.
The parent reproduces asexually by means of budding a succession of
attached offspring called stolons (process = stolonization). As you
noted, the individuals near the tail appear more mature than those near
the main body of the worm. When the juvenile on the end matures
sufficiently, it breaks off and takes off! This process continues with
the rest of worms on the chain. The really fascinating thing about these
worms is that the generations alternate between reproducing sexually and
asexually. Although the parent in your case is only capable of
reproducing asexually, the offspring (apparently born all male or
female) will reproduce sexually. For more information and photo
comparison, please see this link:
http://www.hawaiianatolls.org/research/CoML/features/polycheates.php >
I figured it was either being a good bristle worm and cleaning up a
polyp that had been killed by something else or it was the one eating
the polyp.
<Mmmmm, this is unfortunately one place I’m not going to
be of too much help. I did some research and found Palythoa and
Syllids/Myrianida mentioned together, but was unable to determine
whether the worms actually preyed on the polyps or not. I can only
recommend that you continue watching the colony for any evidence of
further predation/pests – and keep that turkey baster handy!>
Any
help will be appreciated greatly.
Andrew
<Your query was great
appreciated! It’s always a pleasure to see what neat little creatures
appear in people’s aquariums. Take care – Lynn> |  |
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Worms 12/28/08
<Hello Chip. Minh at your service.>
Found
these in my tank appear to stay in sand and only have long tentacles
protruding from the sand. What are they?? Are they helpful or harmful?
<Based on the pictures provided, the worms appear to be Terebellid
Polychaete or commonly known as "Spaghetti Worms." There is also a
similar worm in the family Cirratulidae that is often times mistaken for
the "Spaghetti Worm." Both the Terebellid Polychaete and Cirratulidae
perform useful functions in aquaria by facilitating the consumption and
recycling of fine organic debris such as minute particles of detritus.
More information can be found in this excellent article:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rs/index.php.>
Thanks.
<You're welcome. Cheers, Minh Huynh.> |  |
Re: Worms, Cirratulids 12/28/08
Thanks a lot, was not
sure what to do with them. have 20 or more in sand and in/on rocks.
<Have no fear. Rest assured that the presence of Terebellid Polychaete
and Cirratulidae is a positive sign of a maturing aquarium. Cheers, Minh
Huynh.> |
Bristleworm or Fireworm?
Errant
polychaetes - 8/1/08
Hello again. Love your site.
<Hello! Thanks!>
I found the 2 photos
on the internet. The one on the left looks like the 2 worms in my tank.
I probably have more than 2, but that is all that I have seen.
Please
identify.... the 2 worms that I have found in my tank look exactly like
these photos. Roughly 2" inch length, maybe longer (can't see the entire
worm).
<Simple errant polychaetes...omnivores/detritivores. Do read
re on wetwebmedia.com>
Thanks
<Welcome>
Cynthia Rice
<Benjamin
What’s in the tank? Hair or Spaghetti worm – 7/16/08
Hello
all!
<Hi Kathy!>
Once again I am in need of a question
answered... I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank. In January I
purchased 65lbs of live rock. For the last 7 months I have been
totally fascinated with the little creatures that are emerging.
<It’s the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it!>
Yesterday I
noticed what looked to me like long pieces of hair on the bottom,
across the crushed coral substrate. I have long black hair so I
thought some of it had gotten in the tank...but when I looked closer
it was thread-like, dark and light alternating along the "thread"
and it was moving!! Then I notice 3 or 4 more! All seemed to be
stretching out from under a piece of the LR...and this morning when
I fed the fish, these "threads" seemed to attach to the blood worms
and mysis shrimp I had put in. They stretch out approximately 6 to 8
inches... in different directions. I've spent most of the morning
reading and trying to identify, but I can't wait. My eyes are blurry
and I have to know, "What's in my tank?" Can you give me a clue as
to what this is so that I can begin, in a logical place, to look on
the website, to research this little creature?
<It sounds a lot
like a harmless/beneficial Hair worm/Cirratulid (Family
Cirratulidae), or possibly a Spaghetti worm/Terebellid (Family
Terebellidae). Both are deposit/detritus feeders, as well as
scavengers that make nice additions to a system. For more
information and photos, please see the following links:
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic34114-11-3.aspx (last post on the
page)
See the Query “Red worms with black Rings? 7/8/07” at this
WWM link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormidfaq10.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rs/index.php >
OBTW I
love, love, love, your website!
<Thank you, thank you, thank
you!>
So much so that some days it's hard to do my work...mind
and body keep drifting back to the PC :)
<Heheee! I know the
feeling!>
Thanks so much, tootles, ~Kathy
<You’re very
welcome, Kathy. Take care, -Lynn>
Re: What’s in the tank? Hair or Spaghetti worm – 7/17/08
<Hi
Kathy>
Well...creepy looking things.. but, I will keep them
around, the more I watch them the more fascinating they are!
<Indeed they are!>
(I found a couple more :) ) thanks again!
Tootles, ~Kathy
<It was a pleasure! Take care, -Lynn> |
Wondering what this is - some sort of worm? 07/07/08
hi -
Just wondering if you could tell me what this thing is? When its
tentacles are extended fully it is approximately 1 inch wide. Its
body is between 1/4" and 3/8" long. The body is barely wider than
the width of the metal of a paperclip. It moves rather quickly - it
can navigate its way halfway across my 30" tank in about a minute if
need be.
<Ah, looks like a "medusa" worm:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm
(scroll down, see
after feather and bristle worms)>
The colors are fairly true in
the photo - the bluish tint to its legs are due to the actinic
lights in the tank, however with the actinics off the legs appear to
be clear (white/translucent). I found it earlier this evening after
the lights had been off for 2-3 hours. Although I turned the lights
on to take photos of it, it didn't instantly seek shelter from the
lights...
Any idea what this is, and if I find it again should I
remove it promptly?
<Oh no, they are good guys. And you likely
have many more than just this one.>
thanks again,
Jason
<De nada,
Sara M.> |  
Gorgeous pix. RMF
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Swimming Worm ID: Epitoke - 6/2/08
Hi Crew!
<Hi Jen!>
Thanks for all of your help.
<It’s our pleasure.>
My nano
reef seems to be coming along pretty well thanks to you guys!
<Yay!>
Just an ID question for you today. I was relaxing, having
breakfast, staring at my tank calmly enjoying my morning and
admiring the new Xenia I brought home yesterday... when all of a
sudden this white THING comes shooting up out of the rock and starts
zipping around all over the tank.
<Heheeee! I had a run in with
one of these a few years back. It’s a real eye opener, isn’t it!>
I mean clearly free swimming and really fast.
<Yep. It’s a rapid
and distinctive shimmying/corkscrew motion that’s interrupted with
brief periods of inactivity.>
It's about an inch and a half long.
I got lucky and managed to catch it and take some pictures.
<Appreciate it!>
On closer inspection it's clearly some type of
worm,
<Yes, it’s an errant Polychaete of some sort - in a
reproductive phase.>
..segmented and with two very prominent
eyes. It has two distinct sections, a sort of head/body section and
a sort of tail section. It swims with an eel like motion, with the
hair-like things rippling along the side of the tail section.
<Good observations! What you’re seeing is a harmless reproductive
unit called an “epitoke” or a “swarmer”. Polychaetes reproduce in a
number of ways, but worms such as yours take it to a whole other
level. They change form, from what's originally a bottom
dwelling/crawling animal to a free-swimming version. One of these
changes involves the development of paddle-like structures, the
“hair-like things” you mentioned on the posterior end of the
Epitoke. These enable the worm to swim up into the water column and
spawn. In some species, the gamete filled posterior segment detaches
and swims away on its own to spawn while the anterior/head section
returns to the reef and eventually regenerates. At any rate, these
epitokes rise up and gather in great numbers, perhaps in response to
a lunar or tide cycle, and on cue release their gametes (eggs and
sperm) into the currents.>
I've attached photos for your
enjoyment (you can sort of see the swimming motion in the second
picture). Is this something to worry about?
<Nope, not at all.
For more information, please Google the term “epitoke” or “epitoky”
and see the FAQ’s/photos at this link re:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormidf11.htm
Also, here are a couple
of photos of an Epitoke I had in my tank for comparison. It had a
very similar looking segmented posterior section and is in the
Family Nereididae. Size-wise, it was a little over 4.5” long.
http://wetwebfotos.com/usermedia/high/0/2470_44.jpg
http://wetwebfotos.com/usermedia/high/0/2470_46.jpg >
Should I
put it back in the tank?
<I wouldn’t, not because it’s harmful,
but because you have a nano and the Epitoke is already out. The
release of gametes and possible decay of the worm/section of the
worm would just add to the bioload.>
I can't lie, it scared the
heck out of me and I definitely got the heebie jeebies!
<Well,
if it makes you feel any better, I had my face all the way up to the
glass when I saw the one in my tank. I jumped back and screamed like
a little girl! :-D>
Thanks again!!
Jen
<You’re very
welcome! Take care, -Lynn> | 
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Some type of bristleworm? 03/31/2008
Crew,
<<G'Morning, Andrew
today>>
I was reaquascaping my tank today and a I ran across a nifty
critter as I was breaking down some of my rock. I have no idea what it
is , he was just big and ugly. The "worm" was about 14-16" maybe a
little longer hard to say he split in two on me. I have included some
pics I hope they work I did the best I could.
<<Ahh yes, a segmented
Polychaete variety. Please review the following linked files and
Articles for more info. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormidfaqs.htm and
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm>>
Thank You, Shawn
<<Thanks for the questions, A Nixon>>
Re: Some type of bristle worm? 04/01/2008
Crew,
<<Shawn>>
Is it possible that this guy was killing some of my fish in the past?
<<I would suggest not>>
For a period of time I was losing fish left
and right. Also are these guys poisonous and will they use it. One last
question what are the chance I have more of these bigger worms.
<<Its
always possible in and around the rock and crevices, yes>>
Thanks,
Shawn
<<Thanks for the follow-up. A Nixon>> | 
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Fireworm/Bristleworm, ID/comp. - 3/18/08
Hello!
<Hi
Melissa!>
I know you get lots and lots of these questions, but I
haven't been able to find a picture of this exact worm to make sure it's
not the one bad kind of fireworm.
<Okay>
Sadly we also haven't
been able to take a picture of it yet. We've got an 8 gallon BioCube
with a peppermint shrimp, yellow watchman goby and 3 corals (mushroom,
Ricordea, xenia). We've got lots of assorted worms that aren't the bad
ones (the long tubey ones that suck in and some substrate ones), but we
just got back from vacation today
<Welcome back!>
..and sitting on
top of a clam shell (no idea how we got this tiny clam in there, but
he's pretty cool!) was a mean looking worm.
<Arrghhh, welcome home,
matey!>
It was still partially in the rock, but I'd guess about an
inch long and 1/8th inch or so around.
<Good, it's pretty small.>
It was a very deep maroon or bright red color all one color, with
separated white bristles.
<Hmmm, does sound like a fireworm,
Hermodice carunculata but it could be something else.>
The bristles
were also really bright white and looked like bunches of cactus spines.
<Yep>
I've found pictures of bad reddish Fireworms that also fit the
bristle descriptions, but the color was not all one color. Is ours the
same type?
<It could be. There are many, many species of what’s
commonly called a “fireworm”. There are also some relatively
harmless/beneficial bristleworms (Eurythoe spp.) that are bright orange.
Unfortunately, I’d really need a photo in order to have any hope at
confirming what you have.>
Should it be removed?
<I wouldn’t,
until/unless it’s proven to be a significant risk. The majority of these
hitchhiking worms are harmless, especially when small.>
If so how...I
know if it is a real fireworm that it will sting so obviously no
touching!
<You’ve got that right! That goes for any worm, really.
Even the common bristleworms (such as Eurythoe spp.) can still
envenomate you and deliver a nasty sting. Beyond that, there’s the
possibility of infection from some rather nasty bacteria that can live
in our systems. As far as removal, there are several different methods.
One of which is to bait a clean jar/small plastic bottle (previously
containing water), with bits of shrimp, etc., and tip it up towards the
area of rock where the worm appears to live. I’d place it there at
night, just before lights out and check it in the morning.>
We were
especially concerned since it was sitting on top of our little clam.
<Heeheee! The good thing about clams is that they can “clam up” and
protect themselves! A fireworm/Hermodice spp, could however pose a
threat to other small invertebrates, corals, etc. The larger it grows,
the more potential there is for significant predation. Until we know for
sure what this little guy is, though, I’d consider him “innocent”. In
the meantime, I’ll give you some links with photos for comparison:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm
http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyummy42/hitchworms.html
Also, you
might want to try Google Image Search. Just enter the terms “Hermodice”
and “Eurythoe”.
http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi >
Thanks if you can help us out and we'll keep trying to get a picture of
it.
<Yes, please. If those links don't pan out, then do the best you
can with a photo and send it along. :-)>
Melissa
<Take care,
-Lynn>
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