On the walls of the aquarium - worm?

[parkside]

Does anyone know what this is? Is it dangerous? Thanks in advance.

 

[Avalon]

I've seen these before in microscope samples I've taken from my tanks! I never assumed they were a problem, very likely a harmless scavenger. I figured they were some larval stage of annelid worm, based on the presence of tiny chaeta (hairs). I used to study Capitella teleta through university and these are very similar to the larval stages I was working with.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Does anyone know what this is? Is it dangerous? Thanks in advance.

These are planaria flatworms. While they are not harmful as red planaria, they in numbers can smother bases of coral and block the needed light for production of zooxanthellae which is their energy source.
Removal can be accomplished by siphoning them with a 3/8" tubing into a nylon stocking and discard
OR
Add a wrasse such as Yellow coris, , lunare or malanurus OR even a springieri damsel which will eat them

For the next 2 weeks you will have to look for eggs and scrape off outside of tank.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Looks like it may be a Dinophilid of some variety:

I'm not great with microscopic ID's, but I'm thinking it's a Polychaete (Bristle Worm) of some kind. The closest looking one I know at the moment is Dimorphilus gyrociliatus (formerly known as Dinophilus gyrociliatus) which is documented as being found along the East Coast of the US and around parts of Europe, but I'm not sure if it's the same species as the worms the OP has or not.

Edit: Oh, and welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[Avalon]

These are planaria flatworms. While they are not harmful as red planaria, they in numbers can smother bases of coral and block the needed light for production of zooxanthellae which is their energy source.
Removal can be accomplished by siphoning them with a 3/8" tubing into a nylon stocking and discard
OR
Add a wrasse such as Yellow coris, , lunare or malanurus OR even a springieri damsel which will eat them

For the next 2 weeks you will have to look for eggs and scrape off outside of tank.

Just curious what made you come to this conclusion? Are you basing this on anatomy or previous experience? I'm no expert, but I have worked with worms and the physical characteristics of this sample don't scream flatworm to me. The cell wall is defined, there appear to be segments with chaeta, and the digestive system is not similar to that of Planaria sp. That being said, reef safe wrasses as mentioned are fantastic and utilitarian additions to any tank!

 

[Avalon]

Would personally avoid lunar wrasses though, they can be jerks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just curious what made you come to this conclusion? Are you basing this on anatomy or previous experience? I'm no expert, but I have worked with worms and the physical characteristics of this sample don't scream flatworm to me. The cell wall is defined, there appear to be segments with chaeta, and the digestive system is not similar to that of Planaria sp. That being said, reef safe wrasses as mentioned are fantastic and utilitarian additions to any tank!

Both

Planaria:

 

[parkside]

Thank you everyone for your input/advice!