My Freaky "Sea Monster"

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Aqua_Amber

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Jan 24, 2006
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Hi everyone, I'm new here, and this is my first post. I was hoping someone could shed some light on a very odd worm I have found in my tank. We just got some LR a few weeks aog, and are noticing all kinds of little critters out and about in the tank. One creature is really perplexing me, since I can't find anything like it online.... I haven't gotten a pic yet, but I will try to be as specific as possible.

At night, we usually turn out our tank light. After awhile, we go to the tank..look carefully and switch the light on very quickly. That's when we see this worm. The thing has got to be at least 6 inches long, and appears to be coming out of a tiny hole in the rock. It's almost vine-like in appearence, either wrapped around the LR, or laying in the sand. The worm is a lighter moss green with a 'forked head' that almost looks like two leaves. As soon as we turn on the light, it shrinks back into the LR.
I joke around with my hubby and call it our sea moster, but I would LOVE to know what it is and if it's harmful! I am going to try a sneak-picture attack tonight to show everyone.
Any info would be great!

Amber...
 
If you use a red filter on a flashlight (even covering a flashlight with red tissue paper) you will be able to see the worm as most inverts cant see red light, so it will think its still dark out.
 
my first guess would be that its a fireworm of sorts, which isnt really a good thing imo. however get some pics or describe it a little better to help identify it! could be somethin really cool, thats just the mystery of liverock
 
First of all, thanks for the idea Gealcath. I honestly never thought of that. I'm going to try that tonight and see if I can shine a red flashlight and get some pictures of this sucker.

Krechj: I never in a million years thought it would be a fireworm either. I thought FW's were smaller, but this guy is at least 6-8 inches long, and has never completely come out of the rock, so I have no idea HOW big it is! We just got a couple of little hermit crabs and I'm afraid this thing is going to eat them! The best way I can describe it is 'vine-like' If it were dead, you'd think it was a vine with two leaves coming off the end, nothing more. I'll stake it out and get some pics tonight, if that doesn't work...I'll draw you a pic! LOL.

This saltwater tank was my husband's project, and I didn't have much interest in it. But now that all these little creatures are coming out it's really very interesting!

Thanks for the help, I'll keep you updated!
Amber...
 
The description sounds like an echiuran, or spoonworm. Look something like this?
medium.jpg
 
OMG! That's it exactly!! Since it seems to be coming out of the rock, I have never seen the little pod thing on the end, but the colour and the tendrils look exactly the same. Thanks so much for the picture...would you happen to know anything about it?

Amber...
 
Don't know too much about them. I think they normally hide their bodies and extend the appeandage thing to feed on detritus. You might google around under echiura and see if there's anything useful.
 
Thank you very much, I'm going to look into them on Google right now. With my live rock, I expected to see some little worms and that sort of thing, but I never expected anything so big. Quite frankly, the thing creeps me out!

Funny story, about a week after we got the LR, my husband wanted to move a few little pieces of rock around. I saw him mentally preparing himself to stick his hand in there, and I told him, 'Don't be such a freaking wimp!' I washed my hands and moved the coral for him, feeling quite brave. He told me 'There could be anything in there, I don't want to get bitten or stung!" I laughed it off, but now that I know that Spoonworm is in there, I'm not putting my hand anywhere NEAR that water!
 
really? u better watch out then
 
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