Anyone know what this is?

Palmtree14

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Any help is appreciated.

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ISpeakForTheSeas

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I'm leaning toward some kind of bristleworm (Polychaete), though I'd guess probably only part of one in the pic.

I'm leaning that way because it seems to only have two, symmetrical rows where the spikes come out (typical for bristleworm parapodia/chaetae); with sea cucumbers, if they have symmetrical spikes, they seem to pretty much always have four rows (the rows acting as dividers between the five parts of the pentaradial symmetry of the cucumber). Plus, if you look really closely at the pic, it seems to me like you can see a couple of lines running across the body and segmenting each pair of spikes.

Regardless, though, sea cucumber or bristleworm, it's most likely harmless/beneficial - as mentioned, however, sea cucumbers if noticeably unhappy should be pulled from the tank as a precaution (they very, very rarely actually cause problems in our tanks, but better safe than sorry).
 

isaacfish

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To me it reminds me of a caterpillar that I saw but you said it’s in your tank which makes me think. Why would that be in your tank? Also, what is that fuzzy substance looks like a carpet next to it
 

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Palmtree14

Palmtree14

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To me it reminds me of a caterpillar that I saw but you said it’s in your tank which makes me think. Why would that be in your tank? Also, what is that fuzzy substance looks like a carpet next to it
I have a cover over my Refugium, and I secure it with Velcro. It’s to keep out an adventurous cat.
 
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Palmtree14

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I'm leaning toward some kind of bristleworm (Polychaete), though I'd guess probably only part of one in the pic.

I'm leaning that way because it seems to only have two, symmetrical rows where the spikes come out (typical for bristleworm parapodia/chaetae); with sea cucumbers, if they have symmetrical spikes, they seem to pretty much always have four rows (the rows acting as dividers between the five parts of the pentaradial symmetry of the cucumber). Plus, if you look really closely at the pic, it seems to me like you can see a couple of lines running across the body and segmenting each pair of spikes.

Regardless, though, sea cucumber or bristleworm, it's most likely harmless/beneficial - as mentioned, however, sea cucumbers if noticeably unhappy should be pulled from the tank as a precaution (they very, very rarely actually cause problems in our tanks, but better safe than sorry).
Thank you very much for your help.
 

Reefer Reboot

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To me, at first it looked like a sea cucumber but a fairly small one. Then when I looked at the picture again I was left wondering, is this critter actually submerged or is it high and dry when the picture was taken?
 
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Palmtree14

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To me, at first it looked like a sea cucumber but a fairly small one. Then when I looked at the picture again I was left wondering, is this critter actually submerged or is it high and dry when the picture was taken?
When I took the pic it was out of water.
 

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