Worm releasing milky substance! Panic?

lzolnier · 09/04/2009, 11:35 AM

Hey guys.

So I'm sitting enjoying my reef, and lo and behold I see a medium sized white worm slither between the rocks. This is the first time I have ever seen a worm in my aquarium (I have had this tank for about 8 months). It had these bristles all around its body. To make matters worse, it kept repeatedly releasing a milky/cloudy substance that clouded the entire tank. Its still cloudy (about 30 minutes after). I've never seen my tank like this so I'm guessing it relased its thing for the first time.

What worm do you think this is? Whats the cloudy white substance its whizzing into my reef (I'm guessing sperm). Should I mercelessily hunt this thing down?

I ran down the hall to quicly grab my cell phone but all I could manage is to capture its tail end. Please let me know if I should be concerned.

Gary Majchrzak · 09/04/2009, 11:46 AM

polychaetes in my system do this. If you have a huge worm population you might want to consider reducing fish feedings (if possible).

lzolnier · 09/04/2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
polychaetes in my system do this. If you have a huge worm population you might want to consider reducing fish feedings (if possible).

From the pic, can you say that this is a polycheate? Initial search shows that they are beneficial or at least harmless. The milky stuff is starting to disspate. Still, it took a long time. I hope it doesn't get this horny all the time. My first reaction was....crap.....its releasing poison!

Sugar Magnolia · 09/04/2009, 12:22 PM

Nothing to worry about. It was spawning.

09/04/2009, 11:46 AM	#2
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	don't panic polychaetes in my system do this. If you have a huge worm population you might want to consider reducing fish feedings (if possible). __________________ 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

09/04/2009, 12:22 PM	#4
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Nothing to worry about. It was spawning. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.