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FAQs about Worms, Vermiform Animals of all Kinds,
Compatibility, Control
Related FAQs:
Flatworm
Compatibility, Polychaete
Compatibility/Removal,
Tubeworm
Compatibility/Control, & Worms 1,
Worms 2, Worms
3, & FAQs on: Worm Identification,
Worm Behavior, Worm
Selection, Worm Systems,
Worm Feeding, Worm
Disease, Worm Reproduction, & Polychaete Identification,
Flatworms/Planaria,
Fire/Bristle/Errantiate Polychaete Worms,
Related Articles: Worms,
Featherduster
Worms
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Should they stay or should they go?
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Amphipod/Shrimp Question... and Rock
mining worm?? 6/20/08
Thank you guys for hosting a great site! Most of my questions and concerns
have been addressed by browsing your QA's, but, alas, I still have more
questions!
<Fire away.>
Background: 29 Gallon, 4 weeks old, 35# LR (UBER LIVE at that).. dual powerhead,
emperor 280 bio-wheel mechanical filtration, protein skimmer on order,
installing in 3 days. Ammonia, Nitrite, Copper and Phosphorous are at lowest
range for my test-kit, near zero. Calcium 460ish (high). Ph is 8.0, target 8.2.
KH is at 10. Temp is (cringe) 81-82 but a temperature solution is in sight.
<Temp is fine as long as it is stable.>
Living things I selected to put into tank: 2 young (1" ish) captive-bred
Ocellaris. 10 Nassarius snails, 8 turbo snails and 1 small rock with 8 purple
Mushroom corals.
<Ok>
Living things that came with the rock: Aiptasia Anemones (treating with a
calcium paste stuff directly applied, made by Blue Vet); tiny starfish (Probably
Asterina, not out of control), tiny (supposed) brittle stars hiding in rocks
acting like filter feeders (their leg shape is too distinct to be anything else
I've seen, also seems to fit with behavior);
<Micro stars are very common and harmless.>
HUNDREDS of various feather dusters (up to 3/4" while out), spaghetti worms and
other types of "happy" filter feeders; 4 brown w/green center zoanthid-polyps; 2
(or more) small red and purple (bi-color?) bristle worms, 1 mystery white-tipped
polyp (waiting to see how it grows) and the two critters I am concerned about...
I only wish I had a camera to photo these items, but...
Concern 1: possible shrimp or amphipod. it was seen in the light, moving like a
bouncy flea along the sand. It is approx 3/16" long and banded in a red/white
pattern like a red banded millipede, but with white instead of black. It
remained curled up while bouncing. No noticeable larger front appendages, but,
that isn't saying much with the size of this critter. Before I scared it off
under a rock by looking at it, I sat and watched it dig in the sand like a dog
in a cartoon digs in the yard for a bone; it never burrowed, just sifted and
inspected. I don't know what this critter is, and if it is potentially a pistol
or mantis shrimp... it looks like a very opaque amphipod... kinda. I R BRINY
NOOB. Any information you have would be great.
<Sounds like an Amphipod of some sort, I would not worry about it unless you see
it doing something harmful, and I doubt you will.>
Concern 2: thing, maybe worm. Black, tube shaped, lives in hole, doesn't come
out. (now, with IQ) The hole is shaped like a miniature Hot Tamale Candy, or an
elongated circle, and is approx 3/32" wide, and perhaps 3/8" long. The sides are
unusually parallel. Inside this hole, *appears* to be a living, black,
"single-tube coffee stirrer"... it will retract slightly when we use the turkey
baster to disturb the algae (our first bloom, don't want it to settle)... but,
the STRANGE part is... it seems to be mining out the rock.
<Many creatures will borrow into rock to make their own home.>
The best way to put it is that the barely visible part of this animal is a
conveyor belt. every second or so (irregular timing) a tiny grain of sand will
come down the top-outer side of this coffee-stirrer-worm-thing (not from inside
the tube, instead it is magically balanced on top) and drop off onto my brown
zoos. It has never come out of the hole in the slightest, it reminds me of a
discovery channel show on how they bore
tunnels now, with the conveyor of rocks coming out and dropping off. the
diameter of the tube opening doesn't seem to be an irregular circle, it seems to
be VERY circular. My first guess was Peanut worm, but, that just didn't fit,
this is hollow.
<Interesting, my first guess would also be a Sipunculids/peanut worm.>
There is another hole in this same rock the SAME shape and dimensions... with
sand coming out 1 grain at a time, just no visible "coffee stirrer" in it.
<I'm guessing its the same thing, just deeper borrowed.>
I almost wonder if this *thing* is the last survivor from Roswell, NM.
<Get some tinfoil hats ready! Might want to try to contact Dr. Ron Shimek over
at the Marine Depot forums, IDing these types of creatures is one of his
specialties.>
While I have someone with knowledge reading, I'll go ahead and ask if you think
my tank has space for 1 royal Gramma,
<Yes>
1-3 shrimp (cleaner, maybe a peppermint for Aiptasia)
<Sure>
2 green "clown/gumdrop" gobies,
<Be aware that these are very difficult to feed often, mostly eating Acropora
coral in the wild.>
and months later a Flame Angelfish as the main show fish.
<The tank is too small for this fish unfortunately.>
Any suggestions you might have for these two mystery critters would be great.
-A. Beretta
<Chris>
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> |
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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>
A hungry
roundworm – 11/20/07
Hi Bob,
Great website. Thought you might find this interesting. I have
afoot-long green ribbonworm in my 55 gallon tank that hitchhiked in some
live rock. I thought it was harmless, but it swallows snails and hermit
crabs whole!
<Yikes... too big>
Most are regurgitated alive because of the protection from the shell,
but the last snail shell came out empty (it might have been swallowed
empty.) Wondered if you had ever heard of anything like this. Ross
<Yes... lots of neat animals in the seas... Not so wonderful at times in
our "glass boxes". Cheers, BobF> |
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Nuisance worms in reef tank 12/16/04
I have several reef systems in my house. The are all doing well but I have
one common problem...I have an infestation of small white worms. They remind me
of white hair, there doesn't seem to be any segmentation, just thin and
white. At first I thought they were dog hairs, but I don't have any white
dogs. They don't seem to be harming anything, but they are ugly in the
tank. It's as if someone dumped hair in my tanks, except they're alive!
<they exist only because there is a food source... if you limit the nutrients,
you will limit them my friend. I promise you that if you add a large powerhead
or two to the tank for improved water circulation and increases your water
changes (10-20% weekly ideally), then they will reduce in mere weeks. Making
your skimmer yields several cups of dark skimmate weekly by fine tuning with
help this occur even faster>
I've tried hermit crabs, Sixline and Fourline wrasses, Fridman's and Neon
Dottybacks. Nothing seems to stem the tide of these white worms.
<you are treating the symptom (worms) and not the problem (nutrients) my friend.
I suspect they exist because of weak water changes, poor protein skimming, less
than 20X water flow in your tank and perhaps some overfeeding or overstocking>
Do you know what they might be, any pictures so I can verify if we are talking
about the same thing, and what can I do to get rid of them or at least decrease
the population? Thanks and Happy Holidays! Bobby Williamson
<many possibilities... do check out the writings of Dr. Ron Shimek at
reefcentral, reefkeeping and advancedaquarist.com websites. A keyword Google
search of his name will help. Anthony>
Worms everywhere in TX
I work for an aquarium maintenance company, and I have a client who has the
weirdest things swimming around in his tank. The rundown on the tank is a 55
with two large parrots (4") three large clown loaches (5") and a large
angelfish. It is filtered with a Aquaclear 300 and a twin canister Rainbow
filter. The Rainbow also powers a reverse flow U/G plate that covers more than
half the bottom of the tank. Water changes are 50% every three weeks. Full
gravel vacuum, and clean beneath the U/G. These guys really make a mess!
Recently I have noticed white worms, which must be living under the gravel
because they only come out after I have disturbed the bottom. They are about 1/4
to 1/2 inch long, and can swim and crawl up the glass of the tank.
<The worms are non-parasitic, but they are a sure sign of overfeeding. I know
how maintenance customers can be, I own an aquarium maintenance company. See if
they cannot cut back on the feeding somewhat. With that and your water changes
schedule, you should be able to get the population under control.>
I've tried treating with Clout, as the directions stated. It didn't do anything
to them. They didn't do much either. Any suggestions? They are beginning to get
into the thousands...
<Clout is an awfully strong med. I use it as a last resort only. I am
somewhat surprised the worms could tolerate though. Cut back of food and they
will starve out. -Steven Pro>
Worms now?
Hey J/Rob, <<Hello and greetings to you.>>
Hope this letter finds you guys in good health. <<It does, and you
as well I hope.>> I have what appear to be worms, I believe them to
be a bristle worm/fireworm, but I am unsure, I've done some reading on
them but I would like to know if what I have is dangerous to my tank and
if I need to remove them or just let them flourish.
All of these are in my Refugium at least that I can see or know of. The
largest is approx 3/4 of an inch long, it is candy apple red with a darker
center I would say the color of a Hershey's milk chocolate bar. It appears
to have projections all around the body (looks like a centipede because of
the "projections " on the side. I hardly EVER see them move, I
think they have been in the same spots for that past couple of days. I am
trying to enclose a pic but I do not know how it will turn out. Any help
that you could give me in IDing these things would be most appreciative
and then advice as to what you would with them. Have a great day and
thanks for all the help you've already given me. Later
In the photo you can see three things all in a line, those are the worms
that I'm referring too. The largest is in the middle, and sorry about the
quality of the photo, its a webcam, they aren't they best. But I hope it
helps you some. Have a good day.
Sincerely,
John Bernhard
<<John, those do look like bristle worms. Photo was more than good
enough to make that identification. If I were you, I wouldn't worry at all
about these. They are detritivores and are a benefit to your system as
well as food for the fish. No worries. Cheers, J -- >> |
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Re: Worms now?
Thanks Much for the info J. I'll leave the worms where they are.
<<Sounds good.>>
Thanks again.
John
<<Cheers, J -- >> |
Today's Q&A
One of the questions I answered came with an attached photo... I wasn't
sure
what would happen to it so the original message with attached photo is
still
in my mail box. Please feel free to lift same from the mail from
ausnakeguy1@aol.com and the message titled: "Worms now?"
<Got it... tiny specks... Bob F>
Cheers,
J -- |
Predatory creature ID?
Hi WWM Crew,
<Howdy!>
Question of the, this morning after discovering one of my peppermint shrimp half
eaten, cause of death yet to be determined. I noticed a lot of new
creatures in my tank. they were approximately 2 to 3 mm long, white, and swam
like an eel. Now the weird part. They would swim up to the glass and seem to get
stuck on the glass, then a few seconds later they would start to squirm and
wriggle out of a translucent film that was left on the glass and then swim away.
the film that was left, seam to get washed off the glass after a few seconds by
the current. any ideas?
<none whatsoever... thanks for asking :p>
Thanks, Barry
<in all seriousness... there are many worms commonly imported with live rock
and sand and few if any short of a huge bristly fireworm could have killed your
shrimp. Do look for another culprit. Test water chemistry and do a water change
for starters please. Anthony>
Phoronids and shrimps 8/25/05
Hello
<Hi there>
I'm grateful that I found your site when I started this hobby in January. I
probably would have quit but thanks to your site, I'm still around and as
excited as ever. I bought The Conscientious Marine Aquarist book and found
answers to most of the basic questions and concerns I had. But here's a
question I haven't found answers to.
I have 2 phoronid worms living in my tube anemone. Due to this fact I
haven't bought any shrimps for my tank yet as I have heard that some shrimps
might eat them.
<Possible>
I'd like to get at least one shrimp for my tank but I'd like to be sure that
the phoronids are safe.
I was thinking that they might be ok as they live so close to the tube
anemone's tentacles and all the fish and inverts avoid that area.
<Oh yes...>
What kind of shrimp would be the safest bet? I've asked people on Reef
Central and nobody seems to know.
Thank you in advance for your help
Cole
<Members of the family Palaemonidae are your best, though not absolutely safe
bet... avoid Stenopids... Bob Fenner>
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