Tank is two years old and just found this hitchhiker...

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by fantomas, Nov 18, 2009.

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  1. fantomas

    fantomas Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2007
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    37
    Location:
    Cromwell, CT
    He's actually pretty large, at least 5" long and 3/8" wide.

    I walked by the tank last night and something move quickly on the sand bed. I figured it was the 6 line wrass at first because he's always darting around the tank, but he was moving slow on the other side.. so i sat there staring at the tank for a bit and this came out of an abandoned seashell. I'm guessing its a polychaete but not sure which one... should I remove it from the tank?


    (sorry for the blurry video, I'll never buy a nikon point and shoot again)

     
    fantomas, Nov 18, 2009
    fantomas, Nov 18, 2009
    #1

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  2. elweshomayor

    elweshomayor Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2009
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    3,964
    Location:
    Norcross, Atlanta Ga.
    well if you had it for 2 years and never noticed it, i dont think there is any problem with having it.
     
    elweshomayor, Nov 18, 2009
    elweshomayor, Nov 18, 2009
    #2
  3. reef4girl

    reef4girl Feather Duster

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    Jan 2, 2009
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    233
    Location:
    Central Illinois,USA
    that thing looks huge. I hope mine don't get that big eww.
     
    reef4girl, Nov 18, 2009
    reef4girl, Nov 18, 2009
    #3
  4. yptozmy

    yptozmy Bristle Worm

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2009
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    148

    If it does get better, it will be a problem. Keep an eye on it :)
     
    yptozmy, Nov 18, 2009
    yptozmy, Nov 18, 2009
    #4
  5. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Bend,Oregon - USA
    I would leave it. It looks like a common bristleworm. It also looks like a common bristleworm cleaning up the sandbed;D.......
     
    missionsix, Nov 18, 2009
    missionsix, Nov 18, 2009
    #5
  6. fantomas

    fantomas Astrea Snail

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    Dec 1, 2007
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    Location:
    Cromwell, CT
    I'm also concerned with them reproducing and being all over the place

    I hope it doesn't get any bigger
     
    fantomas, Nov 18, 2009
    fantomas, Nov 18, 2009
    #6

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  7. GoToSleep

    GoToSleep Torch Coral

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2008
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    Central Virginia
    I agree that it looks like a bristle worm. I had one in my 120 that got to be about 18" long :eek:. By that time he was chowing down on my leather coral.
     
    GoToSleep, Nov 18, 2009
    GoToSleep, Nov 18, 2009
    #7
  8. fantomas

    fantomas Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2007
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    37
    Location:
    Cromwell, CT
    ohh... the only coral in my tank is a leather coral (another "hitchhiker" and I'd rather not lose it...
     
    fantomas, Nov 18, 2009
    fantomas, Nov 18, 2009
    #8
  9. Screwtape

    Screwtape Tonozukai Fairy Wrasse

    Joined:
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    2,289
    Most polychaetes won't eat live coral, there are a few that will though but if your leather is still alive now there's a good chance you don't have one of those predators. There are some good ID links in the ID This forum in the stickies that might help you ID it if you're concerned. From what I can tell though it looks like one of the common pink/black ones that are beneficial detritivores.
    Just be careful poking around your rock without gloves. :)
     
    Screwtape, Nov 19, 2009
    Screwtape, Nov 19, 2009
    #9
  10. flynhawaiianz28

    flynhawaiianz28 Purple Spiny Lobster

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Peoria, IL
    yup....i agree just the common bristleworm that eats detritus and shouldnt worry about it too much. I have a few in my 90 but have seen a lot more in my nano tank. Be careful not to get stuck by one of those guys though even though they are timid and hide when you get close to them normally. I want to get a six line to take care of them or at least I've heard they will. Other option would be getting one of those small traps like this Trap-Em Aquarium Pest Control. All up to you though....i'm going through the same thing debating if I want to remove them or not and I remove a few here and there when I can and other I dont worry about. The ones that get to big I think I would remove but thats just me
     
    flynhawaiianz28, Nov 19, 2009
    flynhawaiianz28, Nov 19, 2009
    #10
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