FAQs about Sedentary, Tubiculous, Featherduster
Worm Identification 2
Related Articles: Featherduster Worms, Polychaete Worms,
Related Worm ID FAQs by Group/Phylum:
Tubeworm ID 1, Featherduster ID 3, Featherduster ID 4, & Polychaete Identification, Polychaete ID 2, & Flatworm Identification ID, Nemertean, Proboscis, Ribbon Worm ID,
Nematode, Roundworm ID,
Nematomorpha,
Horsehair Worm ID, Acanthocephalans,
Thorny-headed Worm ID, Tubeworm ID, Hirudineans, Leech ID, Sipunculids, Peanut Worm ID, Echiuran Worm ID, & LR Hitchhiker ID 2, LR
Hitchhiker ID 3, Non-Vert IDs
1, Featherduster Worms 1,
Featherdusters 2, Tubeworms 3, Tubeworm Behavior, Tubeworm Compatibility, Tubeworm Selection, Tubeworm System, Tubeworm Feeding, Tubeworm Disease, Tubeworm Reproduction, Polychaete Identification, Polychaete Behavior, Polychaete Compatibility, Polychaete System, Polychaete Selection, Polychaete Feeding, Polychaete Disease, Polychaete
Reproduction,
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Feather Duster, ID - 1/31/08 Hello Again,
<Hi there!> I have leather coral that I have had for about 6
months. It came attached with a small piece of live rock. On the rock
came a very small orange colored tube worm (or what I think is a tube
worm). Its tube is maybe 2/8th of on inch tall and about as wide. It
has a bright orange fan/crown <Pretty!> that is very sensitive to
movement. Even walking by triggers it to hide. <That's pretty
typical for some of these.> I like it and was wondering if it would
multiply. <Possibly> Can you identify it from this description?
<Unfortunately, no. Does sound like a little feather duster of some
sort, though. Please see the photos at this link for comparison and
more information: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm > Thanks as
usual... FJ <You're very welcome! Take care. --Lynn>
Invert ID Spiral Tube Feather Dusters (Spirorbis
spp.) 1/3/08 Hi Crew ! <Hi Lisa! Mich here.> I am
a new Reef tank keeper, <Welcome to the salty world!> I still do
not have much in my tank yet <Good. Is best to go slow.> only few
damsels <Mmm, you may end up with just one winner.> and a cool
yellow stripe maroon clown <Not the best fish to have this early in
the process. They tend to be bullies and can make the introduction of
new fish near impossible.> with an anemone <Oh, I really wish you
didn't have the anemone. They are not beginner animals. Anemones
really shouldn't be kept in a tank that is less than year old. It
would be best to find a more appropriate home for the anemone and
perhaps the yellow striped maroon. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm
> and some peppermint shrimp <OK.> and a sally crab. <Not a
fan... too predatory....> I love to look for life on the live rock
and discovered several ?fans? <Yes, likely so.> look like tiny
daisies about the size of a pinhead. They do retract when touched and
retract when the lights are out. I have about 6 so far on one of the
rocks. do you know what they are? <Yes, sounds like Spiral tube
feather dusters (Spirorbis spp).> Lisa <Mich>
What is this tiny creature? A Spionid/Chaetopterid
worm! - 12/23/07 <Hi Lisa.> I purchased some live rock and
one of the pieces had what looks like a two armed anemone. It lives in
a tube made up of the fine sand in my tank attached to the rock.
<These are neat little creatures. They live in tubes of hardened
mucus, complete with cemented on bits of substrate/shell, sand grains,
etc. The mucus part isn't too appealing to me, but hey, it's
their castle! See this photo of one in my tank for comparison (sorry,
it's not the best photo, but you get the idea):
http://wetwebfotos.com/usermedia/high/0/2470_62.jpg> It will send
out these translucent arms about an inch long searching for food.
<Yep, those are called 'peristomial palps', most often
shortened to 'palps'. What you have sounds like either a
Spionid/Hair worm, or a Chaetopterid worm. Both are similar in that
they construct/live in a tube, have two characteristic hair-like
feeding 'tentacles', and are generally harmless little
detritivores/particulate feeders.> They don't seem to hurt
anything, <For the most part, no. The exception is if they're
within/near a colony of zoanthids. Continual contact with those
flailing little palps can sometimes irritate, causing them to stay
closed/decline.> but they have spread out over the other rocks now.
So far they are not on the glass or in the sand without being attached
to the rock. <Okay.> My tank size is 65gl. I have 5 peppermint
shrimp, 2 hermit crabs, 2 sally crabs, 2 cleaner clams, a few damsels,
and a Maroon yellow strip clown fish. So far it does not seem as though
the peppermint shrimp are eating them or the hermit crabs. <Noticed
the same in my tank. Maybe there's just more readily
available/appealing food about?> Any suggestions on getting rid of
them and do you know what they are?? <No need to remove unless they
become too numerous/encroach on a coral, or irritate it. Please see
these links for more info, as well as WWM via search engine: Spionids:
http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/1197/1197_1.html
Chaetopterids:
http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/0897/0897_5.html> Lisa
<Take care --Lynn>
Baby Tube Anemones? ID Polychaete Worms
10/2/07 <Greetings random aquarist with poor punctuation,
Mich here capitalizing your "i"s> I have a 60-gallon
with a tube anemone in it... <And hopefully not too much else as
these beauties can pack a powerful sting.> about 6 months or so,
it started spewing out eggs. I have video that I took of it. It was
spewing out little purple eggs that some of the fish were eating...
in my 20-gallon tank where I have another tube anemone, that one
started spewing out what looked like sperm. Looked like it was
shooting out white milky looking substance into the water.
<OK.> Anyways..... my 60 gallon now, the one that had eggs
shooting in it... there are those little tubes you see in the pics,
they have a single looking worm coming out of them. And they are
starting to show up everywhere on the rocks and sand. I have not
added any rocks in over a year in my tank. I'm wondering what
these little tubed worms are? Probably something common and not
what I'm thinking.. but what are they? <Is a Polychaete
worm, perhaps a Terebellidae, Sabellaridae or Sabellidae species.
Hard to tell by just looking at the tubes, but I suspect something
along the lines of a spaghetti worm though some type of feather
duster may also be a possibility. Likely something similar to the
ciliated feeder seen here:
http://www.dtplankton.com/images/figure02.jpg and will anything
take care of them from spreading so much? <They are harmless
filter feeders. I would not discourage their spread. But many
wrasses will nip at these.> Thanks. <Welcome, next time
please capitalize your "i"s and the first word of each
sentence. Mich> |
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Encrusting Calcium Worms Hello Crew,<Howdy!> I recently
added a nice piece of Fiji rock to my tank, has sprouted some sea
squirts coco worms and some clam or oyster, perhaps a scallop as it is
still small and clear hard to tell.<Awesome!> What I am wondering
about is I have noticed from time to time what appears to be sand or
small round particles being ejected from the rock. I now have what
appears to be small white curls growing on the back and sides and now
on the front of my aquarium, They are really tiny and only with the use
of a magnifying glass was I able to tell they curled. any ideas
of what this may be as I do not even know what to look for in a
search.<I call them encrusting calcium worms because I can't
remember the real name for them. They are harmless and are a
common sighting in most aquariums.> also if you know what they are?
should I be concerned?<See above! No need for
concern. Cody> Thanks, Drew
Help Identifying Possible Pest, No Pest
Here. Just Some Good Worms! 2/13/07 Hi again
<Hi Maria, Mich with you tonight.> I just found this guy
crawling in the bottom of my tank, I would like to know what kind
of worm is it and where I can found <find> info about
it. <It could be a Spaghetti worm (Terebellidae
spp.), but is more likely a Hair worm (Cirratulid
spp.). I think the later because of the red
color. Both are good scavengers, feeding on detritus and
particulate organic materials.> Do you think there
could be more of like this? <Mmm,
hopefully. Ideally a couple of Hair worms every few
centimeters would be helpful to process sediment.> Thanks,
<You're welcome! -Mich>
Maria |
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Name That Critter, in 4 syllables or less,
Sipunculid 2/12/07 Greetings <Greetings to you
Thomas! Mich here today.> While observing my tanks
tonight I came across a previously unseen critter the likes of
which I have not even heard of. It appeared inside a large rock
opening. It was vase-like with tentacles at the mouth. It was a
fleshy peach color, translucent and did not appear to be bothered
by the light. The picture shows it. I could see maybe 1 1/4 Of its
length and it was about 1/4 inch wide at the mouth. Any guesses as
to what it is? <Mmm possibly a peanut worm (Sipunculid sp.)
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/worms.htm http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormidfaq3.htm Many resemble
the image dated 3/26/04 on the second page provided, but can appear
differently as well.> Thanks
<You're welcome! -Mich>
Thomas Moore |
Mmm, more likely a Terebellid worm... RMF
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Tube Worms 2/11/07 Hi, <Hi Adrian, Pufferpunk
here.> I've a 55 gal tropical saltwater reef and fish
tank. In the past couple months, I noticed a lot of tiny,
0.5 cm, white tubes protruding from the live rocks. What are
they? Do I need to worry? <Those are tiny tube/feather
duster worms. Beneficial filter feeders. See:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm~PP> Thx, Adrian
Unidentified Serpulid(?) Worm - 01/25/07
Hello, <<Greetings Joe>> First of all you guys are the
best. <<Ahh, thank you for the kind words [sitting here with
my chest puffed-out]>> Of course, you already know that.
<<Mmm...but we would never say it out loud [grin]>> I
have tried to research these strange creatures growing in my
beautiful Saltwater tank but I have not been satisfied with any
answers. So I turn to you for help. I am
attaching 2 pictures of these creatures to help identify them.
<<Nice pics...I have one of these in my system too>>
They started as nothing on my live rock and then one day I started
noticing a web-like net in various places throughout the
tank. Some of them would shoot out a tentacle at least
eight-inches long to catch food and then slowly pull it back in and
disappears. Over the next few months I have noticed
these creatures are growing tube structures and are now very
visible. <<The "web-like net" or
"tentacle" is typical of a Terebellid species, though
these guys are bigger (1/4" tube opening) than those I've
seen previously...but the calcareous-tube suggests a species of
Serpulid worm>> I think they are irritating a couple corals
but not certain because I have made a few changes in the tank and
that could easily upset any one or all of them.
<<Hmm...I've not noticed any such behavior/conditions re
the specimen in my display>> The tank is very stable with
excellent readings. The weird part is I have had this
tank for almost 6 years and nothing has been added. <<This is
not unusual, new emergent life from the live rock is prone to
"pop-up" from time to time as conditions become more
favorable or it moves from a previously hidden
location. The example of this specimen in my system
showed up after almost three years>> Only daily maintenance,
just the standard stuff we all know to do in this
hobby. Please help so I know what to do. <<Well
Joe, I honestly believe you don't need to do
anything. I'm doubtful the worm is a threat to your
corals based on my own experience thus far. While there
are some "little nasties" about, this particular worm is
most likely a harmless if not beneficial
detritivore. Perhaps someone will see the pictures and
recognize/come forth with more specific information. Best
Regards,
Joe
<<Cheers, EricR>> |
Mmm, might be Vermetid snails. RMF
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Algae? Yep, Aiptasia? Nope 8/28/06 hello crew!
first of let me say that your site is hardcore awesome and greatly
appreciated, especially to a saltwater novice! ok, I had asked a
question before about my light set up, but now I have an algae
problem! I have had my tank running for about 3
weeks; 30 gal., 15 watt 20,000k light, Penguin 200
BioWheel (a protein skimmer is the next purchase). my parameters
are pH 8.2, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate between 10 & 20. I am
looking to add a single dwarf zebra lion. <About all the life
that should go in thirty gallons> problem
#1: I have started to have an outbreak of brown algae on
the glass and on the sand. It returns all over the sand within 3
days of siphoning. I know that I will have to be doing faithful
water changes anyways with the lion, but is this normal?
<Yep> I know that I cannot keep shrimp or crabs. not for long
at least...and I have also read that sea stars can be difficult to
keep. The only other critters I can think of are snails. How many
would it take to make a difference for algae control?
<Wouldn't go this route. See WWM re> I have attached a
picture. problem #2: I was checking out my LR when I
noticed a tiny, white, flower shaped. thing. that would retract
when approached. I thought it was neat, but after attempting to
identify it, I'm afraid that I have "the
weed"--Aiptasia. I can only count about 4 or 5 of
them right now. since I'm only going to have LR and the lion
should I go through the measures of eradicating the creatures? I
sneaked up on it and have attached a photo, let me know what you
think. thank you so much! you guys are lifesavers!
<See the pinnules? These are "Featherduster" worms.
"See WWM re". Bob Fenner> |
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Tubeworm ID help, Aiptasia ID
8/21/06 Hello Crew, I humbly ask your assistance in
identifying some tubeworm-like hitchhikers that I have inherited on
some live rock. Pictures attached. <Yep, nice and clear> They
have grown from 3/4 of an inch to almost three inches long in six
months. I thought they were some type of tubeworm and
harmless, but another hobbyist saw them and insisted they were
poisonous, to be avoided at all costs and suggested that I get rid
of them immediately. I like them as they seem to be thriving and
are decorative. My tank has a Yellow Tang, Huma Huma Trigger, and a
Coral Beauty Angel, and all have ignored the worms to date with no
ill effects. Thanks for the help and keep up the great work. Rob
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm
"and the linked files above". BobF> |
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Calcareous Tubeworms 6/17/06 Hola, <Que
tal? Como lo pasaste?> I have a 30 gallon tank that has been
established for a year now. Included in the tank is a yellow tang,
a blue damsel, a domino damsel, and a percula clown fish. <Too
crowded... particularly with the Dascyllus...> I also have
plenty of live rock and snails/hermit crabs. Recently I noticed
these white shelled red tip things growing in my tank. I have
searched your site and I think they are called Calcareous
Tubeworms. I'm not positive though. I attached a image that I
drew in paint that looks like them. <Nice drawing... I do think
you're spot on with this ID> Anyways these worms have been
spreading rapidly all in my tank. Some of them are even growing
bigger. The big ones are no bigger than your fingernail but they
are becoming larger. I would like to know if these are going to be
harmful to my tank in the future. Or can I just leave them in there
because i think they look kind of cool. If they are harmful, what
would be the best method removing them? Thanks, Ryan C. <Not
harmful... actually beneficial in a few ways. Please read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feathercompfaqs.htm Bob
Fenner> |
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Worm Identification 7/17/05 Hi, first off I would like
to thank you for having such a resourceful website. A week and a
half ago I purchased a piece of live rock that have some decorative
dead coral on it. When I brought it home I noticed that it had a
tube on it, but thought nothing of it since live rock goes through
a curing process. I figure it was just more decoration until I
noticed this spider web made from mucous floating in my tank. Then
I realized that my tube had a worm in it that uses this as a net to
catch whatever it eats. I found my critter under your helpful site
and you explained that it was a 'tubiculous polychaete'.
<Yes!... or possibly a tube-dwelling snail... > I then found
myself reading all your listing, but I am a little puzzled by my
new addition. I have attached two photos and also found that I have
two of them. A smaller one is underneath him and has only made two
loops with his coil. He is alive as well since I see him sticking
out his face. Is my 'tubiculous polychaete' just going to
sit in my tank and fill it up with not so pleasant spider web nets,
or will he grow a crown? <No crown...> If so, what time
frame? In addition, since the little baby is not even close to the
bigger ones size how long before he grows his crown, if any? Thanks
~Elena <No crowns... this species has a/the "net
feeding" strategy. Bob Fenner> |
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