ID: Centipede-like Monster in my tank

**blackghost** · 20th Nov 2007, 20:27

hi guys,

i recently got myself a fu man chu lionfish. as it was a small predatory fish, i released small ghost shrimps to get him up and running..

his feeling down being introduced to a new tank. coloration abit off too.

i was observing the shrimps scurrying along when in between rocks, this centipede-like creature with short stubby legs came out of the substrate and caught one of the shrimps. it then drag the poor shrimp back into the substrate.. i was so shocked.. and it dissapeared into the substrate

it was reddish in colour with glittering things that made is look "translucent" i don't know how to say it but.. ya.. it looks like that

anyone can help id this monster

**FishSoup** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:03

Hmm.. can't tell much from the limited description, think its probably a polychaete worm though, possibly from the eunicid family.

Most polychates feed on detritus, algae, sediment(similar to earthworms) or are scavengers.. some of them (such as some of the eunicids) are predatory though, and catch prey with their jaws.

some pics here http://www.nhm.org/guana/bvi-invt/bvi-surv/worm-g04.htm

Physiologically polychaetes are pretty diverse

**blackghost** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:14

yea. it looks like one of them.

kind of scary though. i sort of saw a scene from a movie in real-life. something from tremors. haha..

**ssathesh** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:22

my dear bro u need to remove it immediately. its a bristle worm. its lives in rocks and feeds on your fishes, corals and what ever u have in your tank....

1. its most active in the night. so u need to look for it when the lights are off. a dim torch light will do u good. use a pair of gloves and tong to catch it, if not see which rocks it runs to and remove that rock. soak it in fresh water till it comes out.

tips: it stings, so wear gloves at all times. my hand swelled for 2 days.
if theres one theres more, most prob from the live rocks or corals. ( the need to cure rocks before starting your tank)

hope this helps

p.s i removed a 3ft long as thick as your thumb, from a tank once. real scarry

**blackghost** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:32

oh my god

is it a big problem?? cause i have a lionfish in there. about 10-15cm

i shifted my smaller fishes to a nano tank i just started..

**ssathesh** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:35

well might not attack your lion but, better to isolate the rest of your fishes.

and remove the rock that the worm lives in...

**blackghost** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:38

well..

from what i can see. it lives in the substrate. it dragged the shrimp into the substrate.

from that spot. i can see two transparent antennae..

**ssathesh** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:40

wear gloves and try and cup the bugger.... sand and all...good luck

**doppelbanddwarf** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:48

Eh i'm not into marine but i was quite interested in the title. So i googled it out. Found a link. Something like a FAQ on them.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bristlewmfaq3.htm

**ssathesh** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:51

dont worry i sharing my 8 years of experience... bristle worms ruin your tank.... destroying all in its path.

**blackghost** · 20th Nov 2007, 21:59

alright,

will do. probably the weekends. have to remove my lionfish too.. den start my hunt..

but just a simple question. some websites state that bristle worms help by eating dead matter.

so.. would it better if i let if be? just thinking out loud

**BFG** · 21st Nov 2007, 00:26

There are several species, some are good and consume left-overs while others are just plain hunter. Use gloves when handling them and have some vinegar ready just in case the bristle penetrated the gloves. Better yet, use tongs to handle them.

**blackghost** · 21st Nov 2007, 01:08

oh my gosh.

that serious??!

i'll probably just take a container and scope that area of subtrate.. scary..

**bossteck** · 21st Nov 2007, 13:10

I am looking forward to seeing some pictures of your catch, if you can afford the time.

**stormchild** · 21st Nov 2007, 16:15

Originally Posted by bossteck

I am looking forward to seeing some pictures of your catch, if you can afford the time.

Ditto.

**Haji Badaruddin** · 22nd Nov 2007, 02:32

With bristle worm,you'll probably need to remove your liverock out ... and check them thoroughly...Just in case there are others ... Caught from my tank a few years back about 12" long!!!

Reminds me of the creatures in the movie "TREMORS" ...

**cairocks** · 22nd Nov 2007, 12:20

Are those sandworms we once dig at beaches for fishing a type of bristleworms?
Used to dig those up to use as baits for fishing and when wanted to poke th hook through it, 2 fanks like teeth will appear at the headend and try to bite us. Quite big teeths for the size of the head. After a few bites, was experience enough to hold it in such a way that it can only try to bite through the finger nails.

But recalling its bite still gives me creeps.

**ssathesh** · 23rd Nov 2007, 15:26

same species but different type...

fishing ones come in a cocoon.

my personal enemies live in rocks, sand just about anywhere. they dont need any protective cover. they are armored; thick shell.

try squeezing them, not easy.

P.S. the importance of curing your live rocks cannot be stressed.....