Tired Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 These came in amongst the 50+ dwarf ceriths I got from ReefCleaners. Any idea what they are? They extend in a very telescoping manner, like they're unfurling out of themself, instead of like they're just moving in and out like bristleworms. A pale dot travels up and down the length of each, inside. If the dot reaches the end, the worm extends the contents of the dot- a small structure like a white puff, and several antennae, like those on a eunice worm. Clearly they aren't eunice worms. They keep extending and then quickly retracting. I'm not sure if they're looking for sand or what. I have them in a cup until I can find out what they are. Anything I can add to help solve the mystery by keeping them out for better pics? Sand? Food? Quote Link to comment
EthanPhillyCheesesteak Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 Peanut worm? Quote Link to comment
Opotter Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 Just now, EthanPhillyCheesesteak said: Peanut worm? That’s what I thought when I saw them, but was waiting to see what the more experienced folks say when they weigh in. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tired Posted October 17, 2019 Author Share Posted October 17, 2019 I thought peanut worm, but don't they have just a trunk? This one has some kind of fancy dealie that it can extend from the very end of what I guess might be a trunk. Quote Link to comment
j.falk Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 Send John an email with your pic and ask him. Quote Link to comment
j.falk Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 Medusa worm? http://www.masa.asn.au/masawiki/index.php/File:Synaptidae_01.jpg Quote Link to comment
Opotter Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 @johnmaloney Enlighten us 🙂 Quote Link to comment
Tired Posted October 17, 2019 Author Share Posted October 17, 2019 Could be a medusa, but it's that puff around the antennae that's confusing me. I'll try and get a picture, but they're real shy. Quote Link to comment
johnmaloney Posted October 17, 2019 Share Posted October 17, 2019 3 hours ago, Tired said: These came in amongst the 50+ dwarf ceriths I got from ReefCleaners. Any idea what they are? They extend in a very telescoping manner, like they're unfurling out of themself, instead of like they're just moving in and out like bristleworms. A pale dot travels up and down the length of each, inside. If the dot reaches the end, the worm extends the contents of the dot- a small structure like a white puff, and several antennae, like those on a eunice worm. Clearly they aren't eunice worms. They keep extending and then quickly retracting. I'm not sure if they're looking for sand or what. I have them in a cup until I can find out what they are. Anything I can add to help solve the mystery by keeping them out for better pics? Sand? Food? SOrry about them! Looks like a snail predator, I would remove them. I am not sure what species they are. Quote Link to comment
Tired Posted October 17, 2019 Author Share Posted October 17, 2019 Oh, no worries, I got 50 healthy snails. I'm trying to figure out if these may have actually eaten the snails, or if they just took the opportunity of the empty shell. Contemplating sticking a sacrificial cerith in there with them for a couple days and seeing if they do anything about it. If they are a predator, how often would they need to eat? Mouthparts photo: Quote Link to comment
johnmaloney Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 Looks like a peanut worm. They are scavengers and will live in shells and stick their heads out for food. Should be harmless but ugly. Quote Link to comment
Tired Posted October 18, 2019 Author Share Posted October 18, 2019 Okay, good! I'll pop 'em into the tank. I just couldn't find any pics online of peanut worms with a 'face' like this one. Quote Link to comment
mcarroll Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 How convenient they took residence in those shells! Every one I've seen (not many) was bare and got squished during rock/sand handling. Very cool! 1 Quote Link to comment
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