Can any one tell me what kind of worm this is? -- 03/07/09 It came in with the sea lettuce from the Florida Keys. What do they eat? Is it possible they could eat seahorse fry? Thank you. Glen <Mmm, yes... is not a worm... but a sea cucumber... Euapta lappa... Not likely to eat fishes. See the Net re. Bob Fenner>

Please help 2/25/09 I've been struggling to identify this worm. <Is a Errantiate Polychaete worm.> I'm finding many of them in my tank. <Most tanks have many.> Are they harmful and if so how do I get rid of them? <Not usually. Generally, they are harmless scavengers, and work to clean up your tank.> This picture is one I was able to pull out during a cleaning. <Is a nice crisp picture. I wouldn't be too worried unless you find one requiring more than a 6 inch ruler to measure!>

White Worm ID 02/24/09 I really need some advice, and after looking thoroughly through WWM's worm ID pages, I can't identify this worm. I'd sure appreciate some assistance, and an idea as to whether it's harmful or safe. This worm swims, and wiggles in the current. My clownfish ate one last night. There were 2. I have no clue what it is. <This looks like a Nassarius snail to me (not a worm). They are generally beneficial scavengers. Lucky for you that you got them without meaning to/paying for them. A lot of people buy them.> I don't think it's a Bristleworm, because it's white, or is it? <It's white and... it has a shell! lol> Thank you in advance. Renee <Cheers, Sara M.>

I think the writer is referring to the worm to the upper left... This is an Errantiate Polychaete (a "bristleworm"). RMF

Re: White Worm ID 02/24/09 Hi Sara, I sent out a note and don't know if it went out of not, so I apologize for sending this twice, however I think there has been a bit of a mistake in your assessment of my worm. Although blonde, and somewhat Californian in spirit, I don't think I am quite blonde enough to mistake a snail for a worm. <Heeeee!! I'm so sorry for the confusion. But if you saw some of the queries we get sometimes, you'd understand...> Hehe...therefore, if you could please take a second gander at the photograph I sent you of my Nassarius Snail on the tank glass next to the worm (a size comparison, where the size of the worm becomes more apparent when next to a larger object [i.e.: my snail}), I'd sure appreciate your time in doing so. <Ah, I see now. I do think this is some type of bristle worm. There are many different types/species... they also have different life stages. The common red bristle worms we all love actually have a stage where they are white and free swimming. This worm might be in a transition phase? That would be my guess. But I'll let Bob or Lynn comment if they have a different/better idea.> Thanks again, Renee <Cheers, Sara M.>

Regarding White Worm ID 2/24/09 Query 2/25/09 Good afternoon Sara and Bob! <Lynn> I just saw my name mentioned in this query and figured I'd go ahead and add my two cents. If the worm is swimming and wriggling around in the water column, chances are it's an epitoke/reproductive stage of some sort of errant Polychaete. I'd love to see a close-up shot of it, but the relative thickness around the anterior portion does bear a passing resemblance to one I had in my tank several years ago. I don't see the same obvious demarcation in the body but it could be a different species, or at a different stage of epitoke. I honestly don't know. Here's a link to a photo of the one I had (a Nereid) for comparison: http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=219 http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=221 There are also FAQ's with photos and more information regarding these at our site. Hope y'all are doing well down there in sunny California - or wherever you might be! Wish you could send some of that good weather our way! Take care and have a great day. -Lynn <Thank you. BobF>

Hard white worms?? 2/23/09 Hello, <Hi Heather, Mich here.> I had a question about identifying something I found in my filter of my saltwater tank recently. I have had my tank for about a year and it is doing just fine. I have a Picasso trigger fish and a flame angel fish as well as an algae "lawnmower" blenny. I was doing a water change and happened to notice some weird white things that looked like small worms. They don't move at all and when I touched one it was hard. I broke it open and there was something red inside of it. I also found a few of these things on a magnetic glass cleaner that I always keep in my tank. I didn't know what these are or if they are something I should be concerned about. Will they harm my fish or clog my canister filter? <They are tiny feather dusters, part of the family Serpulidae and are harmless, beneficial filter feeders. They will live happily in your filter, their tubes are calcareous but stay pretty small and usually attach pretty firmly. But you may have to remove a few depending on their location. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm > I really appreciate the help!! <I'm happy to assist!> Thanks, Heather. <Welcome, Mich>

Worm ID: Errant Polychaete -- 2/21/09 Hi, <Hi there.> What a wonderful website, <Why thank you!> I need some help in identifying a worm. I have checked all the worm Id's and Polychaete Id's, but came up empty handed. Here are some pictures, they are best I could take. As for the head, it looks very similar to a snake's head. It is smooth, and has what looks like two small eyes (black points) It does not have any antennae, but only what looks like a slit for a mouth. I am not sure how long it is, but it retracts with lighting speed. <Well, it's an errant Polychaete of some sort -- possibly a Phyllodocid (family: Phyllodocidae). However, I've never seen one with a completely smooth head. They usually have multiple antennae and appear almost 'whiskered'. Another possibility is a Syllid (family: Syllidae). Those in the subfamily Eusyllinae have more blunt-looking heads without a lot of obvious appendages. Unfortunately, there are a host of other possibilities as well. I'd need some good close up shots of the head and legs in particular to have any hope of narrowing it down. The good news is that it's highly unlikely to pose any sort of threat to your fish, corals, or larger invertebrates. These little worms are mostly carnivores and detritivores, and what live food they take is along the lines of small worms, 'pods', sponges, hydroids, etc. If you're still interested in trying to ID this little fellow and can get some good hi-res photos, please send them along and I'll do what I can to help. Otherwise, I've got some links for you to continue the search. The first is a terrific site with detailed drawings of the various families (be sure to see Phyllodocidae and Syllidae): http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/projects/taxinfo/browse/family/family_browser.htm Although the following is a key for identifying Polychaetes in New Zealand, it's got some terrific general information regarding various families: http://www.annelida.net/nz/Polychaeta/ShorePoly/NZShorePolychaeta_ID.htm#QUICK http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html > Please help, Thanks. <You're very welcome. Take care, Lynn>

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.>