Found a bobbit worm. Fish have been disappearing.

[pixelhustler]

I was rearranging my scape and took two large pieces of live rock out overnight. This giant worm was on the floor, still moving so I put it in water.
Bobbit worm, correct?

I had 3-5 fairy wrasses disappear in the last year and a half. Most recently a Naoko. All new additions so I assumed disease + stress from shipping.

My main question, what’s the chance there are more bobbit worms in my tank?

 

[Nano sapiens]

It's very unlikely that you have a 'Bobbit Worm' (Eunice aphroditois). They typically live in the muck (not on reefs) and are up to 10' long.

You may have one of the Eunicid worm species (or one of the closely related genera):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunice_(annelid)

They range from spaghetti noodle width to many feet long. Range from herbivores to carnivores and everything in between. Very common for reef aquaria to have them, but very rarely seen by aquarists.

The worm looks a bit small to tackle a Fairy Wrasse. I have a few of the smaller species in my nano and I let them be. Some people set up a small special tank for them since they are interesting animals.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Following

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Can you get a pic of its cute lil face?

 

[doubleshot00]

@TUSI ??????

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

W/o handling it i mean

 

[pixelhustler]

It's very unlikely that you have a 'Bobbit Worm' (Eunice aphroditois). They typically live in the muck (not on reefs) and are up to 10' long.

You may have one of the Eunicid worm species (or one of the closely related genera):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eunice_(annelid)

They range from spaghetti noodle width to many feet long. Range from herbivores to carnivores and everything in between. Very common for reef aquaria to have them, but very rarely seen by aquarists.

The worm looks a bit small to tackle and Fairy Wrasse. I have a few of the smaller species in my nano and I let them be. Some people set up a small special tank for them since they are interesting animals.

That definitely gives me some peace of mind. It seems to be related as you said based on the body structure and the distinctive whiskers they have around the mouth. The Naoko I lost (went missing) was fairly small but I agree it seems like a small specimens to tackle larger wrasses like the adult pintail fairy I lost (also went missing). I have a lid and check the overflow regularly so whatever the cause of death might be something ate the body. I have tons of bristle worms which could have been it.

 

[pixelhustler]

Can you get a pic of its cute lil face?

I’ll post a better picture of the mouth. I can’t spot the open jaws but they retract, and based on the footage I’ve seen they only seem to load them once they’re buried and in ambush position.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I’ll post a better picture of the mouth. I can’t spot the open jaws but they retract, and based on the footage I’ve seen they only seem to load them once they’re buried and in ambush position.

You can still get a good idea if they are dead lol

 

[Nano sapiens]

I’ll post a better picture of the mouth. I can’t spot the open jaws but they retract, and based on the footage I’ve seen they only seem to load them once they’re buried and in ambush position.

That's specific for the Bobbit worm. Typical of the family, they have 5 'tentacles' around the mouth and protrudable jaws with pinchers, but they don't necessarily lie in wait in ambush mode:

My little buddy 'Bob':

1st and only time I saw him was around 12 years after the tank was running. Very elusive nocturnal animals with a distinct light phobia.

 

[pixelhustler]

That's specific for the Bobbit worm. Typical of the family, they have 5 'tentacles' around the mouth and protrudable jaws with pinchers, but they don't necessarily lie in wait in ambush mode:

My little buddy 'Bob':


View attachment 2847296

1st and only time I saw him was around 12 years after the tank was running. Very elusive nocturnal animals with a distinct light phobia.

So they don’t eat fish? I had a bunch of wrasses vanish. Can’t blame everything on this critter but most recently a pretty small Naoko went missing. I keep snakes as well, and they eat much bigger prey proportionally than the Naoko would be to this guy.

I’m keeping him in a breeder box for a day to see if any locals want to adopt him. up for grabs to anyone in Los Angeles.

 

[pixelhustler]

You can see the head a bit better here. Surprisingly he was on my living room floor next to the dry live rock. Survived for about 20h and he’s back in water now and swimming normally. Impressive.

 

[Garpgarp]

Some striking colours on the little monster.

 

[pixelhustler]

Some striking colours on the little monster.

He’s pretty cool, hopefully someone takes him. I’d keep him if it wasn’t for the fact that I keep mostly small fish. I have 3 yellow clown gobies that would be the perfect snack for him.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

Yep - that to my eyes appears to be a winner! Someone will take it im sure. You know because… people.

 

[vetteguy53081]

That's specific for the Bobbit worm. Typical of the family, they have 5 'tentacles' around the mouth and protrudable jaws with pinchers, but they don't necessarily lie in wait in ambush mode:

My little buddy 'Bob':


View attachment 2847296

1st and only time I saw him was around 12 years after the tank was running. Very elusive nocturnal animals with a distinct light phobia.

Einice worm and likely Bobbit. There are special tanks manufactured for this type of worm :

 

[hobbyreefer]

I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to shut down my tank after seeing this thing…

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to shut down my tank after seeing this thing…

Im still surprised everytime someone finds one while not breaking down their tank. They just go to sleep in their rock and wake up in your tank lol

 

[AwakenedReefer]

Can you get a pic of its cute lil face?

I have one of these guys in a 7G and I happen to take this video today. He is quit a character. He likes to attack and acquire things to drag back to his den.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I have one of these guys in a 7G and I happen to take this video today. He is quit a character. He likes to attack and acquire things to drag back to his den.

Pretty cool!