Work-Like Identification

[votek]

I picked up a couple large pieces of LR today and I have been keeping an eye on them lately to see what critters may be in them.

I noticed one point a long red tenticle-like creature comming out of one of the rocks. It was fairly long...roughly 5-6 inches, yet small in diameter. It almost looks like a pink centipeede, but I'm not sure if they were legs. It did not come all the way out and soon ducked all the way back in.

Any ideas? They seem common on the rocks I got. Sometimes they are small and get eaten by my C-B shrimp.

[gcvt]

Did it look anything like this?

http://www.motorworld.com/gcvt/pets/fish/ta/pics/bristle.jpg

If so, you have a bristle worm. They are excellent scavengers and most people leave them be. If you don't want him, please send him to me ;)

[votek]

yyyyup thats him.

I've noticed a bunch of little ones on the LR in 10g tank, but my C-B shrimp usualy nabs them and eats them. :(

[Boogiechillin]

Bristleworm. Great detritivore, nothing to worry about, but CBS shrimp will definitely pick them off.

[Corax]

I disagree slightly on the "nothing to worry about" part..

These are GREAT additions to the tank just like you've been told, but you have to be more careful when working in there now. They are also called Fireworms for the simple fact that those bristles can inflict VERY painful stings if you grab one accidentally... Be very mindful of which rocks they frequent and wear rubber gloves when you have to move it.

It's not a dangerous sting, but MAN it hurts. I laid my hand on an 8" bristleworm a while back and it took me a week to pick all the spikes out of my hand. Not pleasant.

So ya know, if you want to watch them at their BEST, get a flashlight and drop in some shrimp pellets right after the lights go off... Mine go nuts =)

[votek]

Deffinately glad you brought that to my attention hehe.

I'll have to try that tonight :)