what is this worm???

[Zoanthkid]

I've recently noticed tons of little "tentacles" almost like brittle star arms coming out of the sand n crevices in the rocks... but they are everywhere all of a sudden.. then I notice right after lights on today this guy is crawling on the glass... he's very very small, and has these long hair like strands coming off of it all over... just like what I see coming out of the sand n stuff... what is it and should I be worried? Currently in the process of planning a small tank upgrade and if this is something I don't want I would like to try to prevent transferring it to the new tank if at all possible. I know it's not a great pic, but it's hard to get a good shot of something so small on the glass... camera doesn't want to focus on it, it wants to look past it.

 

[ritter6788]

Peanut worm, harmless.

 

[Zoanthkid]

This is what makes r2r such a great place! I would have never expected a response within a minute of posting this thread. Thanks! I haven't noticed any irritated corals so I wasn't in full on panic mode yet lol.

 

[Reef Breeders]

I have those, I have never seen them above the sand though, cool little guys, great for detritus clean up

 

[WillKatt]

Ive also heard them referred to as spaghetti worms. Some have said that they can irritate zoas but I have some colonies with these guys almost living within the colony and they don't seem to bother anything. I personally think they are great addition to ones CUC.

 

[laskopyre]

That would actually be a hair/spaghetti worm (cirratulid). Harmless scavenger.

 

[ritter6788]

Ive also heard them referred to as spaghetti worms.

That's actually what I meant to post. I got my worms mixed up. Thank you.