Bryopsis eating worm?

[SoggyNW]

spotted these guys a few weeks ago munching on Bryopsis, one finally climbed onto the glass and I got a nice shot. it's about 1 1/2 inches long, moves very fast forward or backward, it climbes all the way up the bryopsis and eats the secondary fronds leaving the stem stripped bare

 

Something that I think is odd especially for a worm of it's size it it seems to be aware of me when it's on the glass. if I get close to the tank it will stop moving, and when I get really close it runs and hides in the sand bed. 10 minuets later it's back on the glass eating Bryopsis...repeat.

 

I've seen at least 4, 3 at once and one smaller on later, but there are probably plenty more I haven't spotted.

 

[Pinner Reef]

OMG If this is true you could start breeding them and make a fortune!!!!

[Mariaface]

So THAT'S where my bryopsis went! I have a few of these in my sandbed, I think.

[Weasel Baron]

err, looks like a Eunice worm, they're omnivorous and really really nasty when they get bigger. They're also said to be the famed acan-eating worm. Cant be sure without a closer pic, particularly of its head

 

If they're content eating just bryopsis that's awesome

[Mariaface]

err, looks like a Eunice worm, they're omnivorous and really really nasty when they get bigger. They're also said to be the famed acan-eating worm. Cant be sure without a closer pic, particularly of its head

 

If they're content eating just bryopsis that's awesome

 

Huh. Mine have been in there over a year and never gotten bigger than 1.5in, so I'm going to cross my fingers and hope they're content with detritus for food..

[ndrobey]

There are probably several related species, one that eats bryopsis, one that eats acans, one that eats detritus, etc.

[Weasel Baron]

There are probably several related species, one that eats bryopsis, one that eats acans, one that eats detritus, etc.

 

yup, Eunice is just the genus, something like 20+ described spp, but I cant speak about their individual diets. The ones Ive most frequently seen are not great, so It'd be cool to see one thats helpful!

[CCDillon]

Probably not eunice (the bad kind at least) as I've had these guys in my tank for about 2 years. Never had bryopsis so can't say anything about that but I'll catch one on the glass when the lights come on. Seems to only get longer but not really fatter as it grows. Cool little things regardless.

[jestep]

That's not a eunice. It's a Dorvilleidae worm. They're beneficial and many eat algae.

[Builder Anthony]

Do you think you could catch a few?I'd like to have some in my tank.

 

[Dr.Brain Coral]

I believe it is a eunice worm. People don't seem to remember there are different types of eunice worms. I have heard numerous accounts of small eunice worms that aren't a problem.

[East1]

I've got the same thing, lacking the high quality photo, though

[Dr.Brain Coral]

After a little more research I found it is in fact a Dorvilleidae worm

[SoggyNW]

Just an update. These things have decimated my Bryopsis, there are only a few small pieces left. These worms don't seem to be eating anything else though.

 

I'm thinking of trying an experiment and want your guys thoughts on it. My tank is new with only live rock and hitchhikers so I feel I'm in a really good position to experiment without risking livestock. I have some hair and bubble algae in my tank that needs to be taken care of I'm going to head down the my LFS and see if I can get get a good emerald crab to munch on that stuff, and a few different snails to help out my stomatella army. once the rest of the algae in my tank is under control I'm going to try fertilizing the tank and boosting the bryopsis to see what these little Dorvilleidae worms can do. If it turns out they can really manage the Bryopsis then I'm going to get ahold of reef cleaners and see if they would like a few to try propagating.

[hypostatic]

I would just get more bryopsis for these guys to eat, and propagate them myself if I were you