What is it?

[sprky86]

As of right now I can't get a picture, but there is something new in our tank. it almost looks like a centipede. It is a long worm like creature, with tons of small legs on it. It hasn't fully come out of the rock, but has been out around 4 or 5 in, so it is pretty big. I am keeping an eye out for it to get a picture.

 

[chichimom79]

Maybe a bristle worm?

 

[sprky86]

I looked online, and that is what best resembles it. I looked online, and some say they are harmless, some say they are bad when they get bigger. Can they be bad for your tank?

 

[kbuser92]

I hate them. Quarter cube of mysis in pantyhose and flush all them bitches. You dont want them.

 

[sprky86]

I moved the rock to my quarantine tank, and put some shrimp by his hole. So eventually I will get him out. after looking at the rock i noticed a couple new small coral that are growing, and some small white clear bugs.

 

[kbuser92]

The bugs are probably amphi- or copepods, depending on size. Luring him out may work, but if you split him you then have 2 to deal with.

And something else: do NOT under ANY circumstances touch the little bastard. You'll regret it.

 

[ErinCahir]

Bristle worms are an awesome part of your clean up crew.

They get a bad reputation because they're ugly. Keep him.

 

[MitchReef]

Bristle worms are an awesome part of your clean up crew.

They get a bad reputation because they're ugly. Keep him.

+1...they are nasty loking but unless they get huge they don't really provide much threat, but
like Kyle said, don't touch...some varieties carry a hell of a sting...

 

[kbuser92]

I had a terrible outbreak. Had to throw out all my rock when I redid my old 10 gallon. No idea how I ended up with so many, but that should explain my bitterness.

Ever touched a cactus pear? Supposedly those barbs are just as hard to get out, too.

 

[ErinCahir]

I've touched the bristles before and it wasn't too terrible.

Outbreaks usually come from overfeeding. They're detrivores. If there's nothing to eat, the population will die back.

 

[kbuser92]

I cut feeding to absolute minimum and they still found food.

 

[Waddi]

Go out and touch a Fieeworm or Fire coral. Now they hurt. Some people are more resilient than other I guess.

 

[ErinCahir]

I think it's like bee stings. I remember reading something about allergies a ways back but I can't remember where.