"Godzilla" Fireworm

chrisguy · 04/05/2006, 09:04 AM

Managed to get a picture of my "Godzilla" Fireworm. This Fireworm is about 10" long. It's usually hidden by day, but from time to time will be out and about. I have another that is about the same diameter but only about 6" long. Other than these two all others are pretty small.

Guy · 04/05/2006, 10:36 AM

Wow, yours is kinda purdy. Excellent picture too!

I mostly just have the drab looking Fireworms. I don't really know how long this one is.

spoon25 · 04/05/2006, 02:03 PM

remember few months back the over 7 ft long fireworm they found iin the guys pipes , thats crazy

chrisguy · 04/05/2006, 02:28 PM

No rocks from Fiji in my tank !!!

Kent E · 04/05/2006, 03:45 PM

Am I wrong? I thought those are bristles

Foreworms are RED, RED

and the 7 footer was a euclid worm.

If I'm being over technical-sorry.

Gary Majchrzak · 04/05/2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kent E
Am I wrong? I thought those are bristles

Foreworms are RED, RED

and the 7 footer was a euclid worm.

If I'm being over technical-sorry.

Impossible to be "over technical". Nice post, Kent.
Some people call bristleworms "fireworms"- a reason common names are so confusing.

Nice pic, Chris.
Personally, I think I'd yank that thing. (Looks like Hermodice carunculata ). sp?

moriartiholmes · 04/05/2006, 06:03 PM

Here's some links on the species Gary mentioned. Chris, have you noticed any coral predation?

http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=292

http://www.thekrib.com/Marine/bristle.html

Marine worm yearbook photo's
http://articles.uwphoto.no/oversikte...istleworms.htm

chrisguy · 04/05/2006, 06:33 PM

Gary I think your right. I found this picture Which is from Panama City Fl and most of my LR is from the Keys, not too far away.

Weird thing is that my tank is mostly soft corals with a couple LPS and SPS. This thing is described as Fireworms are voracious predators that feed on soft and hard corals, anemones, and small crustaceans. . On more than one occasion it's "walked" right past my sebae and never bothered either BTA. All softies look good. The only think I have noticed is that some red mushrooms went MIA after I moved them to the tank, but all other corals seem to be present and accounted for.

I wouldn't mind if it started eating Green Star Polyps and/or Green Stripe Mushrooms, these things are growing out of control.

For now I'm going to leave it in there, but I will keep an eye on things. This one is also not 100% nocturnal, as several have described, so it may be a different species, but the resemblance is too close for me to tell.

BUT, if I see trouble, it's off to the sump with the rock crabs.

Gary Majchrzak · 04/05/2006, 06:42 PM

Pretty worm!

Guy · 04/05/2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kent E
Am I wrong? I thought those are bristles

Foreworms are RED, RED

and the 7 footer was a euclid worm.

If I'm being over technical-sorry.

Polychaete means many bristles (loosely translated). I think the common name Bristleworm covers a multitude of Family including feather dusters, Spaghetti Worms, Hair Worms, etc. and of course, Fireworms.

In my opinion "Fireworm" is the common name for any of the Bristle worms in the Amphinomidae Family. I've seen red, green, yellow, orange, even an irridescent one displaying every color in the rainbow. In other words Hermodice carunculata is a Fireworm but not all Fireworms are Hermodice carunculata.

But then that is a problem with common names, they are subject to interpretation and opinion.

jcanute · 04/05/2006, 07:40 PM

for those who have'nt seen "the worm". http://oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm

Kent E · 04/05/2006, 08:52 PM

Guy · 04/06/2006, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kent E

I appologize for my attempt to share knowledge.

chrisguy · 04/06/2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Guy
I appologize for my attempt to share knowledge.

NEVER appologize for sharing knowledge! And PLEASE do not hold back your vast knowledge!!

While I can't speak for Kent E I don't believe his smiley face was directed at you.

Kent E · 04/06/2006, 10:56 AM

Guy, Nothing against you. I just had a realization just how much of a nerd I have become, thats all.

Chris guy, Nice interesting pictures. Didn't mean to jump on the technical aspect of it.

Guy · 04/06/2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kent E
Guy, Nothing against you. I just had a realization just how much of a nerd I have become, thats all.

Chris guy, Nice interesting pictures. Didn't mean to jump on the technical aspect of it.

Cool.

Nothing wrong with being a reef nerd - just ask Gary

moriartiholmes · 04/06/2006, 11:23 AM

Sometimes when I talk to people about the hobby, I worry Ogre is waiting to kick down the door and start chanting, "NERDS!"

chrisguy · 04/07/2006, 09:35 PM

First, thanks to all for the EXCELLENT information.

Since it was brought to my attention that "Godzilla" might be a very hungery (bad) fireworm, I've been watching each night to try to see what it's doing. Wouldn't you know that for the past several nights it's been no where to be found.

Tonight I caught the worm with a mouth FULL of purple pimple mushroom. These are the only things that I noticed have been disapearing in the tank. In the past I have lost some zoa frags, but I thought it was just me and being new to the hobby. Initially I thought the disapearing mushrooms was my imagination or possibly something I did. But as I said, tonight I caught it and remove the rock with the worm, and as I removed "Godzilla" from the rock, it's mouth opened and out came one of the last of the mushrooms.

The worm is now in the fuge. Nothing else in there but some LR, pods and Chaeto. I mention this incase anyone thinks that's a bad idea. My plan is to put some mushrooms in there from time to time, once the population returns, to feed it.

Again, USR is great and saved my tank from worm hell!!!

moriartiholmes · 04/07/2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrisguy

The worm is now in the fuge. Nothing else in there but some LR, pods and Chaeto. I mention this incase anyone thinks that's a bad idea. My plan is to put some mushrooms in there from time to time, once the population returns, to feed it.

Wow, you are way too nice of a person!

I'd take it to The Fish Place in NT, I've seen them sell bristleworms is the past. Otherwise, i would try and find someone with a fish only system that would take it and give it the chance to change its diet. If that didn't work out I'd flush it or freeze it (more humane I hear). Although slight there's always the chance it could breed or make its way back into your display.

Gary Majchrzak · 04/07/2006, 11:37 PM

I believe this type of polychaete reproduces asexually as well as sexually. You might not want to keep it anywhere in your system.

Guy · 04/08/2006, 08:41 AM

I believe Gary's right about asexual reproduction. I'm also fairly sure it's an omnivore and is not limited to eating soft corals. If you want to keep it I'd recommend a seperate species tank. It is kinda cute!

04/05/2006, 09:04 AM	#1
chrisguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 2,277	"Godzilla" Fireworm Managed to get a picture of my "Godzilla" Fireworm. This Fireworm is about 10" long. It's usually hidden by day, but from time to time will be out and about. I have another that is about the same diameter but only about 6" long. Other than these two all others are pretty small. __________________ Chris My son said I should have been a potato bug farmer. Pickles are cucumbers soaked in EVIL!! Current Tank Info: I got nothin

04/05/2006, 10:36 AM	#2
Guy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Warsaw, New York Posts: 3,354	Wow, yours is kinda purdy. Excellent picture too! I mostly just have the drab looking Fireworms. I don't really know how long this one is. __________________ Buy Aquacultured - The reef you save may be your own! Current Tank Info: 900 Gallon Lagoonal Reef connected to a 155 gallon bowfront Fringe Reef

04/05/2006, 02:03 PM	#3
spoon25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: WILLIAMSPORT/HUGHESVILLE , PA Posts: 853	remember few months back the over 7 ft long fireworm they found iin the guys pipes , thats crazy __________________ wheres the love.....keep on reefin' Current Tank Info: 75 GAL.REEF TANK/29 GAL.REFUGIUM/45 GAL.SUMP

04/05/2006, 02:28 PM	#4
chrisguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 2,277	No rocks from Fiji in my tank !!! __________________ Chris My son said I should have been a potato bug farmer. Pickles are cucumbers soaked in EVIL!! Current Tank Info: I got nothin

04/05/2006, 03:45 PM	#5
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	Am I wrong? I thought those are bristles Foreworms are RED, RED and the 7 footer was a euclid worm. If I'm being over technical-sorry. __________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

04/05/2006, 06:03 PM	#7
moriartiholmes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Buffalo N.Y. Posts: 860	Here's some links on the species Gary mentioned. Chris, have you noticed any coral predation? http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=292 http://www.thekrib.com/Marine/bristle.html Marine worm yearbook photo's http://articles.uwphoto.no/oversikte...istleworms.htm __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef, 10 gallon at the office

04/05/2006, 06:33 PM	#8
chrisguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 2,277	Gary I think your right. I found this picture Which is from Panama City Fl and most of my LR is from the Keys, not too far away. Weird thing is that my tank is mostly soft corals with a couple LPS and SPS. This thing is described as Fireworms are voracious predators that feed on soft and hard corals, anemones, and small crustaceans. . On more than one occasion it's "walked" right past my sebae and never bothered either BTA. All softies look good. The only think I have noticed is that some red mushrooms went MIA after I moved them to the tank, but all other corals seem to be present and accounted for. I wouldn't mind if it started eating Green Star Polyps and/or Green Stripe Mushrooms, these things are growing out of control. For now I'm going to leave it in there, but I will keep an eye on things. This one is also not 100% nocturnal, as several have described, so it may be a different species, but the resemblance is too close for me to tell. BUT, if I see trouble, it's off to the sump with the rock crabs. __________________ Chris My son said I should have been a potato bug farmer. Pickles are cucumbers soaked in EVIL!! Current Tank Info: I got nothin

04/05/2006, 06:42 PM	#9
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	Pretty worm! __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

04/05/2006, 07:40 PM	#11
jcanute Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: springwater n.y. Posts: 786	for those who have'nt seen "the worm". http://oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm __________________ reefer in training. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef, 2x175 mh & 4 x 54t-5, 55 gal sump/fuge ,100 micron filter socks, mag 12 closed loop,euroreef skimmer

04/05/2006, 08:52 PM	#12
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	__________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

04/06/2006, 10:56 AM	#15
Kent E One Millionth Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Asheboro NC Posts: 4,273	Guy, Nothing against you. I just had a realization just how much of a nerd I have become, thats all. Chris guy, Nice interesting pictures. Didn't mean to jump on the technical aspect of it. __________________ 1000 gallon Current Tank Info: Dreaming up a new one

04/06/2006, 11:23 AM	#17
moriartiholmes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Buffalo N.Y. Posts: 860	Sometimes when I talk to people about the hobby, I worry Ogre is waiting to kick down the door and start chanting, "NERDS!" __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef, 10 gallon at the office

04/07/2006, 09:35 PM	#18
chrisguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 2,277	CAUGHT IN THE ACT!!! First, thanks to all for the EXCELLENT information. Since it was brought to my attention that "Godzilla" might be a very hungery (bad) fireworm, I've been watching each night to try to see what it's doing. Wouldn't you know that for the past several nights it's been no where to be found. Tonight I caught the worm with a mouth FULL of purple pimple mushroom. These are the only things that I noticed have been disapearing in the tank. In the past I have lost some zoa frags, but I thought it was just me and being new to the hobby. Initially I thought the disapearing mushrooms was my imagination or possibly something I did. But as I said, tonight I caught it and remove the rock with the worm, and as I removed "Godzilla" from the rock, it's mouth opened and out came one of the last of the mushrooms. The worm is now in the fuge. Nothing else in there but some LR, pods and Chaeto. I mention this incase anyone thinks that's a bad idea. My plan is to put some mushrooms in there from time to time, once the population returns, to feed it. Again, USR is great and saved my tank from worm hell!!! __________________ Chris My son said I should have been a potato bug farmer. Pickles are cucumbers soaked in EVIL!! Current Tank Info: I got nothin

04/07/2006, 11:37 PM	#20
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	I believe this type of polychaete reproduces asexually as well as sexually. You might not want to keep it anywhere in your system. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

04/08/2006, 08:41 AM	#21
Guy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Warsaw, New York Posts: 3,354	I believe Gary's right about asexual reproduction. I'm also fairly sure it's an omnivore and is not limited to eating soft corals. If you want to keep it I'd recommend a seperate species tank. It is kinda cute! __________________ Buy Aquacultured - The reef you save may be your own! Current Tank Info: 900 Gallon Lagoonal Reef connected to a 155 gallon bowfront Fringe Reef