ID for Strange Worm on Glass
 

Have seen this 3" worm on the glass of my 42 gal reef a few times during the day. Was so freaked by its head that all I could do was stare at it :eek: Today had the presence of mind to take a pic :cool:

Doesn't look like a bristleworm because of the "mop" head, and BWs don't usually come out in broad daylight. Photo taken at 4:30, just around feeding time. WTF is this thing?!!??


http://www.lostmymarblz.com/42gal-worm-1.jpg

Absolutely no idea. It appears to be segmented. and hence possibly an Annelid :question: :question: , but if nobody here knows, why not send the picture to Dr. Ron :question: , and perhaps look in the hitchiker FAQ. Beyond that suggestion, I still don't know. :confused:

it is a species of ...... synaptid sea cucumber feeds on organic detritus
creepy !!!!!

hace fun with it
cheers dave

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...002/invert.htm

I'm with Reef_kid on this one. Apparently a dirt eater, shouldn't cause a problem. Apparently needs a pretty big tank to do well. Looks like an ideal hitchhiker, but if you do want to get rid of him, I'd be happy to take him.

Thanks for the link, Quinn :smile:

Read the article, then did a little more research on medusa worms, which is what my "friend" might be. States the animal may be toxic and may be roaming the tank during daylight because it is: a) starving, b) not worried about predators. Some medusas have a commensal relationship with specific sponges and without them, slowly starve :frown:

Here's Rob Toonen's page on medusa worms:

http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen7.html

If I see the worm again, I will contact you, if you are still interested. My 42 gal is probably not big enough for it, though there is detritus all over the place if it is a species interested in detritus. Am a little concerned it may be toxic and starving. Sure don't want this possibly toxic thing to die in my tank. Had that happen in my 180 a few years back and 3/4 of my fish were wiped out overnight :eek:

Have sent the photo to Rob Toonen for possible ID. Will let you all know what he says.