Catipilarish critter

[drew1092]

So first I must say sorry, no pics. I can only catch this guy with the lights off and cannot seem to get a pic against the glass in the dark. Ill keep trying.

My tank has been running 4 weeks now and for the past week we seem to hit the bloom of life. Everything and anything is coming out of the LR. Only can id the common stuff, stomatella and others. Tonight I caught a good look at a new guy. 2 actually. They seem to behave like a worm, slowly crawling out of the pores in the rock and foraging on the rock. They often move from side to side much like a snake.

I would describe it as caterpillar like, covered with whitish hairs just like those caterpillars you see. Body is thin/flat. Reddish brown color. Seems the back portion of body is dark colored, maybe gray. They withdraw quickly into rock when lights come on. But I saw the smaller one almost entirely out of his whole. Any possible id's? If I can get a pic I will post it. thanks!

[drew1092]

Well with a little research I think I found what this is. Stupid because it seems pretty common, still Im not familiar enough yet for a positive ID. I think its Eurythoe complanata (Amphinomidae). Sound right? Any one know their lay name? http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html

[crvz]

fireworm, or more likely a bristle worm. I dare say every saltwater tank ever set up has them.

[gabranth17]

yep definetely a bristleworm, as long as you dont overfeed the tank they'll be cleaning both rock and sand. ps: dont touch without gloves

[mikechurch]

fireworm, homeslice. Now the real debate is are they harmful or not . I tend to leave mine alone unless i catch a really big one...my biggest one pulled out was about 18 inches long and about as thick as a pencil. Hard to believe that bugger got that big off just scraps.