timsit Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 Spied this creature in my nano one night. It is at least 1" long but I've never seen it completely out of it's hole. It's about 1/8" diam. The markings are awesome! The red is metallic/iridescent and changes colors at different angles. It's hard to see but it also has green iridescent markings on it's head (I think that's his head). It only appears at night and retracts very quickly when the flashlight hits him. It doesn't seem to be hurting anything... it does pull tiny shells and debris back into it's hole. The pics aren't the best - it was very hard to focus in darkness... thought it might be a nudi at first but couldn't find anything even close, is it some type of worm? it really does resemble a caterpillar. I'm a newb - not sure how to post more than 1 pic... Link to comment
BKtomodachi Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 It looks like many types of sea cucumbers that I've seen. From its behavior, it sounds a lot like it as well. Very intersting, and most likely not harmful. Cool! Link to comment
Doc Shake Posted March 23, 2005 Share Posted March 23, 2005 I dont think its a worm, maybe a holothuroid or more llikly a nudibranch. Link to comment
ClarkiiClown Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Google sea hares and nudibranchs. Looks like a nudi to me though by the bright colors. Sweet find! Link to comment
timsit Posted March 25, 2005 Author Share Posted March 25, 2005 I've done some research... I believe it's some type of Polychaete Annelid. It is segmented and has small feathery "legs" at each segment. It's also longer than I first thought - at least 2-3", still haven't seen him completely out... still not sure what it is either. Link to comment
supernova Posted March 25, 2005 Share Posted March 25, 2005 its some kind of eunicid worm should have five atenie on its head with one right in the center and opposing jaws that kind of resemble spider fangs do a search on reef central and you should find ithere is a link Link to comment
timsit Posted March 26, 2005 Author Share Posted March 26, 2005 that's it supernova! thanks for the link. it's def a eunicid. just a baby tho... turns out it could grow to 4-6 feet!?! can't wait Link to comment
supernova Posted March 27, 2005 Share Posted March 27, 2005 i have two of them in my tank that have never caused me any problems i accualy feed them i think they are quite interesting to watch but they can be a problem check this out Link to comment
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