This is new...

[Stephen]

I turned my 30 gallons light back on a few minutes after the actinics went out to show a friend the tank really quick and found these things out and about. Haven't seen them before and was wondering if anyone could help with an ID. Checked my 75 gallon and 90 gallon tank and the 75 has them also. Didn't see any in the 90. They look like little maggots. I searched a bit for an ID and the only thing I could find similar was a pic of a fire worm. Not a 100% match though.

 

 

 

[davelin315]

Not sure, looks like a bristle worm, but not that much. Check with dsharnaw, he's looking for a fireworm and maybe you have what he's looking for.

[dshnarw]

hmm...I haven't seen any fireworms like that before - they usually have very prominent bristles, but if you're wanting to get rid of them, I can stick them in my office tank and see what they turn out to be.

[Stephen]

The pic I found of a fireworm wasn't very close to those things. It was the closest unfortunately. LeslieH posted the following reply on RC.

 

"Those are polychaetes most likely in the family Syllidae. They're epitokes - a special modified form that occurs when the worms become sexually mature. In this case the posterior portion of the worm has transformed into a delivery system complete with big eyes, packed full of eggs or sperm, and special setae (= bristles) for swimming. Males & females swim up into the water to spawn. Once the gametes are ejected the individual dies."

 

I asked if they were harmful and her reply was "Not in the least.". So I guess they get to stay. I'll pull a few out if you want them. I'm a long drive for some little pink, blue, and red maggot looking things though. lol. Can drop them off at the next wamas function I make it to.

[dshnarw]

The pic I found of a fireworm wasn't very close to those things. It was the closest unfortunately. LeslieH posted the following reply on RC.

 

"Those are polychaetes most likely in the family Syllidae. They're epitokes - a special modified form that occurs when the worms become sexually mature. In this case the posterior portion of the worm has transformed into a delivery system complete with big eyes, packed full of eggs or sperm, and special setae (= bristles) for swimming. Males & females swim up into the water to spawn. Once the gametes are ejected the individual dies."

 

I asked if they were harmful and her reply was "Not in the least.". So I guess they get to stay. I'll pull a few out if you want them. I'm a long drive for some little pink, blue, and red maggot looking things though. lol. Can drop them off at the next wamas function I make it to.

 

 

eh, thats okay. they sound pretty cool, but really hoping for the fireworm