What are these? I did a fw dip on rock as I could see a dodgy looking crab and I got the crab and this worm - it doesn't look like the other bristle worms I've had. Should I put it back in or not? It is out of a nano tank which will have quite a few corals in it eventually.
I have to say as a newbie...when you read the article they seem to combine the fireworm and the bristleworm in the same breath. The bristle is supposed to be beneficial but the fireworm is predatory against corals, etc.
This particular worm doesn't seem to have the uniform-perfect looking segments of a "fireworm" becuase one would almost think it was a "fuzzy fireworm" except that it is a bit too fat in the segments.
Looks like a Eurythoe spp. bristleworm--a harmless, beneficial scavenger. The easiest way to differentiate Hermodice carunculata (fireworm) from others is the presence of a pronounced, fuzzy caruncle on the head. The second appears to be a Xanthid crab, but the picture is not detailed enough. Maybe closer shots at different angles.
