Worm or Parasite?

JayBeDriften · 12-17-2006, 12:57 AM

Hello Everyone, I need all of our expert advice. Unfortunately I don't have a photograph to upload along with this issue but my fiance recently spotted a worm-like figure coming out of a hole within one of my rocks that I have had for quite sometime. I was curious to know if anyone had a picture of a Bristleworm and also if I should start to worry about my corals. Thanks for the help once again.

PSH · 12-17-2006, 02:59 AM

I am sure Seahorsedreams has one. Probably aready posted it since it took me 15 minutes to type this. LOL

Paintbug · 12-17-2006, 10:22 AM

this should help.
Hitch Hiking Worms

JayBeDriften · 12-18-2006, 01:55 AM

Paintbug, thanks for the site. It's definitely a fire worm but I haven't added anything my aquarium for over 6 months and none of my corals have been effected at all. I'm curious as to how this little bugger got their. Well time to hunt tomorrow with tweezers.

Paintbug · 12-18-2006, 10:10 AM

its amazing how long some hitchhikers can hide. i recently found a small crab moving around my rocks a few weeks ago. i have not added any rock in almost 2 years!

most bristleworms/fireworms are good for the tank. they make an excillent addition to the clean up crew. they usually do more damage to the tanks owner than the tank itself

. the only bad fireworm i know of is the Hermodice carunculata, which is pictured on that link i posted. those guys are coral preditors and should be removed.

d-ster · 12-18-2006, 03:53 PM

That was a nice link for worms! Thought I had bristle worms in my tank turns out they are fire worms.

Should I be worried about this kind?

best way to remove them?

Paintbug · 12-18-2006, 04:22 PM

im not a worm expert by no means. but with out some up close pics i cant say for sure. from that pic it doesnt look like a harmful one. but its best to keep an eye on it. just dont remove it by hand

. they pack a nice sting.

***Rob*** · 12-18-2006, 09:26 PM

dont judge too hasty, that side doesnt actually call out the regular benign bristly worms vs fireworms..

attached is an image of a bristle worm from my tank

THey are not Renee worthy, but will do until she catches this post, she should have some as she is working on a hitchhiker book/article/paper thingy (sorry reneed ont remember exactly what it was)

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-19-2006, 07:50 PM

K, this is embarassing. I haven't gotten around to taking "spot-light" pics of the bristles..... probably because I know right where to find them when I get done with the rest. I know I have some pics of the blue ones and pics of my bristlesworm tree.... on my hard drive.... somewhere. I will look tomorrow. I have to go to work tonight. Blah!

Quote:

hitchhiker book/article/paper thingy (sorry reneed ont remember exactly what it was)

That's pretty much what I've been calling it.

Actually a common hitchhiker ID guide is probably the best description now that I think of it.

I have a sea spider coming in the mail to me..... YAHOO!

**Seahorsedreams** · 12-19-2006, 08:02 PM

This is what can happen if you try to pet them.

I was yelling at Greg... stay still.... lemme get the camera!

"Fireworms" are quite rare in the home aquaria. More than likey it's your "ordinary" bristleworm which can have all sorts of different appearances. But don't worry about a big bad coral eater coming in your tank, the odds of that are like winning the lottery.