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That doesn’t look like you average bristle worm, I am leaning on something like a bobbit/eunicid worm but the long legs are throwing me off.
Eunicid worms have tentacles on their face (typically five tentacles), so they’re usually pretty easy go identify (and, while a few Eunicids are predatory like the bobbit and Oenone fulgida, most are actually harmless/beneficial). Personally, I’d guess it’s a Syllid worm:That doesn’t look like you average bristle worm, I am leaning on something like a bobbit/eunicid worm but the long legs are throwing me off.
Either way, doesn’t look like a friendly guy.
Based primarily on the long, hair-like chaetae (bristles) sticking off the sides, I’d guess a Syllid worm (taxonomic family Syllidae) of some kind. If it is a Syllid worm, then there’s a good chance it’s safe (and good CUC). However, some Syllids are known to eat sponges, tunicates, and - reportedly from some hobbyists - soft corals. The eating of soft corals is firmly disputed though, as many people (primarily from several years back, when Syllid worms were apparently more common hitchhikers) also report having them without issues even if the worms crawl over their soft corals regularly.
So, it’s probably safe/beneficial, but you can always sump it to be cautious, you could isolate it and offer it a cheap soft coral or two in addition to some fish food to see if it’s coral safe.
Some context for their diet (the paper linked below is “The diversity in diets of Syllidae (Annelida: Polychaeta)” by the università di lecce (the University of Salento).
Just for clarification here, bristle worm (while generally used in the hobby to mean a harmless polychaete worm) is actually a generic term for all polychaete worms (the bristles of the worm being called chaetae; polychaete basically = multiple chaetae). Oenone fulgida is a eunicid polychaete. The infamous bobbit worm is also a eunicid polychaete. However, not all eunicid polychaetes are predatory/bad.
If you’re worried about a “bristleworm” in your tank, then I’d try baiting it with snails and/or clams or similar and seeing if it is super fast to strike (like the predatory bobbit worm and company) or if they’re more laid back in approaching the potential prey. If it strikes quickly or takes live prey, you should probably remove it from your tank.
That looks more like it, a photo of it’s face would help with a certain IDEunicid worms have tentacles on their face (typically five tentacles), so they’re usually pretty easy go identify (and, while a few Eunicids are predatory like the bobbit and Oenone fulgida, most are actually harmless/beneficial). Personally, I’d guess it’s a Syllid worm:
I got it out to be on the safe side. Still not sure exactly what it is after looking it up though.Eunicid worms have tentacles on their face (typically five tentacles), so they’re usually pretty easy go identify (and, while a few Eunicids are predatory like the bobbit and Oenone fulgida, most are actually harmless/beneficial). Personally, I’d guess it’s a Syllid worm:
I removed it in case I couldn’t find it again laterThat looks more like it, a photo of it’s face would help with a certain ID
I was able toYank it if you can…
That’s a long worm!I got it out to be on the safe side. Still not sure exactly what it is after looking it up though.
I removed it in case I couldn’t find it again later
I was able to
It was really long and gross. Glad it’s out of the tankThat’s a long worm!
We did. I felt bad but I didn’t know what else to do but make it quick for the poor guyOo, neat! Poor thing's all confused, though- best to put it out of its misery if you don't plan to 'fuge it.
I try to keep a Length Limit on any worm.. Luckily I’ve never had a huge one to pull out. My first tank I had a common Fireworm that were round and almost looked like red earth worms. They would get pretty long and fat. Luckily, I don’t have those anymore.That was a syllidae worm. There's no real evidence of them being dangerous. Maybe one of the most missunderstood hitch hiker we get.
One day, I will remember this post and snag a pic of my fireworms. They make quick work of anyone dying.I try to keep a Length Limit on any worm.. Luckily I’ve never had a huge one to pull out. My first tank I had a common Fireworm that were round and almost looked like red earth worms. They would get pretty long and fat. Luckily, I don’t have those anymore.
If they tear does it become 2…?One day, I will remember this post and snag a pic of my fireworms. They make quick work of anyone dying.
I do want to get some syllidae. They have absolutely some amazing movements. The only one I ever found I researched and was told it was to go. I regret it today. I did have a very large eunicid worm. Over 2' in length. They are a battle to remove.
From what I've read, the eunicid will break off the tail and grow a new head. We used to think they didnt have a brain. Now they think the have more than one. I can't keep track.If they tear does it become 2…?
My biggest worry was my soft coralsThat was a syllidae worm. There's no real evidence of them being dangerous. Maybe one of the most missunderstood hitch hiker we get.