Worm in a Rock

[jcook54]

I've been having some issues with my zoas and last night I was scanning the tank after lights out and saw a strange worm protruding out of a piece of live rock. It was about 5", brown and had a diameter a little smaller than a pencil. The head was picking at the sorrounding rock and reminded me of my big turbo snail. When I shined the light on him he slowly drew himself back into the rock and only a 1/4" or so of him stuck out and looked a lot like a shrunken up majanoe. This morning I went looking for him and found him attached to the same spot doing the same thing. Any thought on what he might be? I'll have to keep track of him but it doesn't look like it moves around the tank. I'll try to get a pic tonight so y'all can see what I'm talking about.

 

[mr difficult]

It sounds like a bristol worm to me. Sorry if spelling is wrong can kill fish by stinging them. I just cleaned my hole tank of the same thing. I would try RX med I was told that news after the fact.

 

[gnashty]

could be a euclid (sp?) worm?

 

[jcook54]

I did a search for euclid worm and after some reading I'm pretty sure it's a peanut worm. I didn't think they burrowed into rocks but found this - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rs/">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rs/</a>

"Sipunculans are detritivores. There really is little difference between them or between what they eat. . . . The tropical species tend to burrow into the limestone of the reef and form permanent tubes in the rocks. They burrow by secreting chelating substances that dissolve limestone, and then they use a roughened area of the cuticle, such as the nuchal shield, to abrade the places were dissolution has occurred. Forms living in temperate seas generally form temporary burrows under rocks."

It sounds like it shouldn't be a problem but I wonder how long it's been around. It in a bottom piece of live rock that hasn't been moved in 5+ years.

 

[tchristman]

For the record...bristleworms are not all bad. Most are very good for a tank.

 

[haninja]

Was it eating zoas? did you noticed zoas population receding? make sure it is not Eunicid worm. I had one in my tank that grew to 4 feet and was feasting on my zoas.

 

[jcook54]

I was hoping for a Eunicid worm so I'd have a potential explanation for the zoa problems I've been having but I'm 99% sure it's a peanut worm. It doesn't have any legs and the Eunicid pictures I've seen showed legs. Also, there is no distinct head or segments in the body. It looks just like a worm sticking out of the rock. It also appears to be living in a piece of live rock and that's apparently somewhat common in tropical species of the worm according to the articles I was able to find. Finally, I checked out some of the pics on wetwebmedia and most of what they identified as a Peanut worm looked just like my new little detrivore. I still don't have a clue what could be wrong with my zoas :sad:

 

[jaredloo]

well, bristle worms are fine. But, zoas are particularly sensitive to agitation. The bristles on the worm sometimes irritate the zoas and make them close up. Are you zoas closing up, or are they actually receding?

If they are receding, I suspect you have an entirely different problem, nudibranchs.

 

[jcook54]

The biggest thing I've noticed is how much they have faded. Some of the polyps seem like they are closed a lot more than usual but they do open back up and none have disappeared. Honestly, it looks like I upgraded the light without acclimation. However, I haven't changed anything. The bulbs were new in early November and some of the colonies have been in the same position for years. I have noticed that the colder weather and cooler overall house temp has caused more condensation on the glass top. Usually it's a little cloudy from age. Is it possible that the water one the glass is allowing more light through therby causing them to burn? Everything else seems fine but I have noticed a mushroom or two move a bit back further under an overhang and out of the light even thought they've also been there for at least 3 months.