Worm living in green hairy mushroom

goldfish69 · 04/23/2013, 09:03 AM

Hi Forum.

I just noticed a worm (looks like an earthworm but white in color) this morning tangling around in my green hairy mushroom.

This is the very first time that I noticed this worm and it seems to only come out when the lights are off.

I tried to get a picture of the worm but you can't really tell from the picture of the coral that there's an actual worm.

Should I be worried? Should I take the coral out and dip it in coral fx to kill it?

I tried to grab it with my hand but it was too fast.

Thanks

Spyderturbo007 · 04/23/2013, 01:49 PM

I'm not sure on the identification, but I would be careful grabbing anything in your tank with your bare hands.

Take a look at this website which should help you with your identification since you aren't able to get a picture.

goldfish69 · 04/23/2013, 02:43 PM

Thanks for the link - the only one that closely ressembles mine is "POLYCHAETE".

But just in general - should any type of worms be removed regardless or are there some beneficial to the tank?

SushiGirl · 04/23/2013, 07:05 PM

Most are beneficial to the tank, such as bristleworms & peanut worms, spaghetti & hair worms. There are some baddies, though. Polychaete covers a HUGE array of worms. The pics under that category on that site have text under them also, which one does it look like?

goldfish69 · 04/24/2013, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SushiGirl

Most are beneficial to the tank, such as bristleworms & peanut worms, spaghetti & hair worms. There are some baddies, though. Polychaete covers a HUGE array of worms. The pics under that category on that site have text under them also, which one does it look like?

First one in the group picture under polychaete.

I didn't want to take any chances so I took it out yesterday.

SushiGirl · 04/24/2013, 01:49 PM

I don't see a section that just says "POLYCHAETE" on that link. I see a section that is headed "POLYCHAETE REPRODUCTION." What is the text under or directly above the pic that looked like yours.

My guess would be it was a beneficial bristleworm since that's what is most commonly found in tanks. These are typical beneficial bristleworms.

Since you pulled it out, a pic of it posted here would've really helped with ID.

04/23/2013, 09:03 AM	#1
goldfish69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 144	Worm living in green hairy mushroom Hi Forum. I just noticed a worm (looks like an earthworm but white in color) this morning tangling around in my green hairy mushroom. This is the very first time that I noticed this worm and it seems to only come out when the lights are off. I tried to get a picture of the worm but you can't really tell from the picture of the coral that there's an actual worm. Should I be worried? Should I take the coral out and dip it in coral fx to kill it? I tried to grab it with my hand but it was too fast. Thanks

04/23/2013, 07:05 PM	#4
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	Most are beneficial to the tank, such as bristleworms & peanut worms, spaghetti & hair worms. There are some baddies, though. Polychaete covers a HUGE array of worms. The pics under that category on that site have text under them also, which one does it look like? __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

04/24/2013, 01:49 PM	#6
SushiGirl Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX USA Posts: 8,267	I don't see a section that just says "POLYCHAETE" on that link. I see a section that is headed "POLYCHAETE REPRODUCTION." What is the text under or directly above the pic that looked like yours. My guess would be it was a beneficial bristleworm since that's what is most commonly found in tanks. These are typical beneficial bristleworms. Since you pulled it out, a pic of it posted here would've really helped with ID. __________________ Visit my Homepage or "My Albums" (via Profile) for hitchhiker pics. Current Tank Info: 55g softy/LPS tank & 20L reef tank

04/23/2013, 01:49 PM	#2
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I'm not sure on the identification, but I would be careful grabbing anything in your tank with your bare hands. Take a look at this website which should help you with your identification since you aren't able to get a picture.

04/23/2013, 02:43 PM	#3
goldfish69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 144	Thanks for the link - the only one that closely ressembles mine is "POLYCHAETE". But just in general - should any type of worms be removed regardless or are there some beneficial to the tank?