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| clear white worms - bad or good? |
 Nov 3 2009, 02:41 PM
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#1
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Nano Reefer Posts: 19 Joined: 14-October 08 From: Austin, TX Member No.: 39,460  |
I tried searching through the posts on this site but could not figure out what these worms are. So I had to ask.
I see a lot of these small white (almost clear) tentacles coming out of the sand and rocks in my tank. They get around an inch long. I would see even more during feeding time. I don't have a picture since I don't have a camera on hand and they are very small. Does anyone know what these little creatures are? Are they good or bad? Thanks! |
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Nov 3 2009, 05:53 PM
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#2
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Nano Reefer Posts: 1 Joined: 22-April 09 Member No.: 44,253 |
Are the strands coming out of tubes made of sand or rubble? Harmless worms, imo.
Try here: http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html |
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Nov 3 2009, 06:10 PM
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#3
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Nano Reefer Posts: 19 Joined: 14-October 08 From: Austin, TX Member No.: 39,460 |
QUOTE (Zero Cool @ Nov 3 2009, 04:53 PM)  Are the strands coming out of tubes made of sand or rubble? Harmless worms, imo. Try here: http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html No they are not. I'm not even sure they are worms. It looks more like little tentacles coming out of the sand. No legs or segments on it as far as I can see. |
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Nov 3 2009, 06:25 PM
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#4
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 adam covered in coralline Posts: 1,222 Joined: 25-May 09 From: CA Member No.: 44,929 |
sounds like harmless detritovores to me
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Nov 3 2009, 06:47 PM
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#5
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 Nano Reefer Posts: 366 Joined: 10-April 09 Member No.: 43,986 |
i think you might be talking about Spaghetti Worm. here is a picture i found on goggle.com
--------------------  10%off enter code:10off |
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Nov 3 2009, 06:58 PM
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#6
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 I dose Grey Goose Posts: 100 Joined: 11-September 09 From: Kingston, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 47,145 |
They are fine. Good sign of a healthy tank I think too. I have lots of them. They come out of a little tube like a feather duster.
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Nov 3 2009, 09:26 PM
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#7
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Nano Reefer Posts: 19 Joined: 14-October 08 From: Austin, TX Member No.: 39,460 |
It looks like the spaghetti worms but I don't think so. The tentacles are not that long and seems to comes in twos. Some look like they come out of tubes like feather duster but the tube looks more "constructed" then like a natural part of the creature.
Maybe they are good and I just don't know it. It doesn't look like it is harming any of the corals. |
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Nov 3 2009, 09:59 PM
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#8
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 Somewhat deranged and altogether unorthodox. Posts: 401 Joined: 22-March 09 From: North Carolina Member No.: 43,533 |
Hmm, maybe a spionid worm?
-------------------- QUOTE (lakshwadeep) NEW PEOPLE (and others): Please avoid killing or trying to fish out things that you are trying to identify before you get at least a rough identification. It is hard for other members to identify something that's not underwater. A picture is very important for a conclusive ID, but sometimes a very detailed description is sufficient. Finally, it's kind of arrogant to ask "How do I get rid of it?" after "What is this?". Most hitchhikers are harmless. Those that are called "bad" are only considered so in our captive tanks, and even many of those (such as most bristle worms) have been previously written off as scapegoats for problems with introduced corals/fish. Quoted for truth. |
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Nov 3 2009, 10:23 PM
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#9
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Nano Reefer Posts: 19 Joined: 14-October 08 From: Austin, TX Member No.: 39,460 |
I think it is along the same family line as spionid worms. Just thought I ask since I see lots of them in the sand and rocks.
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Nov 4 2009, 01:22 PM
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#10
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 Pico Reefer Posts: 62 Joined: 29-September 09 From: New York, NY Member No.: 47,492 |
I believe these are called hair worms. Usually two come out of tube (i think one shorter than the other) Related to spaghetti worm. Very good for the tank. I was delighted to find some in mine.
-------------------- 3 gallon JBJ Picotope
AC70 Fuge 5 lbs LR 1/2" LS Started 2009.10.31  |
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Nov 4 2009, 01:57 PM
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#11
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Nano Reefer Posts: 19 Joined: 14-October 08 From: Austin, TX Member No.: 39,460 |
I think you're right. If that's an indication of a healthy tank, then mine's pretty healthy since I see lots of these little guys.
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Nov 4 2009, 02:05 PM
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#12
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 Nano Reefer Posts: 2,133 Joined: 10-July 06 From: portland Member No.: 21,294 |
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Nov 4 2009, 05:13 PM
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#13
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Nano Reefer Posts: 19 Joined: 14-October 08 From: Austin, TX Member No.: 39,460 |
Thanks matty0206! This is exactly what mine looks like.
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Nov 4 2009, 05:16 PM
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#14
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Nano Reefer Posts: 2,133 Joined: 10-July 06 From: portland Member No.: 21,294 |
No problem. I have tons of those also.
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Nov 5 2009, 12:40 AM
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#15
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 ^rotating snakes!^  Posts: 13,993 Joined: 28-March 03 From: OKC Member No.: 3,226 |
+1 to possible spionid.
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Nov 7 2009, 06:14 AM
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#16
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 Nano Reefer Posts: 498 Joined: 9-February 09 From: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Member No.: 42,387 |
I have a bunch of these also, +1 to spionid (or, apparently, another similar creature called a chaet-something
-------------------- 'RuralReef 2.1' 10 gallon AGA, DIY 70W metal halide, 5.5 gallon 'sump' w/ DIY non-breaking siphon. Purple Firefish, Hector's Goby, Open Brain coral, Palys, Zoas, Mushroom, Dichtyota, many unidentified macroalga.
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