zebra striped worm?

tiburon · 08-13-2006, 01:00 AM

I noticed a different kind of worm in my tank.. it only comes out in the moon lights.. I tried taking a pic with the pen light on it but it dissappears very quickly when I turn the light on.. it's coming out of a tine hole in my LR, it's white with black spots/stripes, almost like a zebra.. but messier. It's kind of thick, like a little less than 1/10th of an inch, I think.. it can vary in length from just a nub to about 3" out.. seems to keep it's "thickness" with it as it extends.. it's probing the rock around it's hole.. almost like an inch-worm.. seems like it's trying to find food. Anyways.. anyone have some ideas on what kind it could be?

(sorry I couldn't get a pic)

dobejazz · 08-13-2006, 02:11 AM

I haven't a clue

Geoff · 08-13-2006, 09:04 AM

prolly a peanut worm.

G~

Fly Guy · 08-13-2006, 09:17 AM

Their colors and "stripes" can vary greatly on peanut worms(sipunculids)and when the get biger they can actually stretch out REALLY far. Ive got a couple that stretch out around 18", but im sure, like most things they can get way bigger than that. The cool thing i have notcied about them is that no matter how far they stretch, their diameter doesnt seem to change.....

tiburon · 08-13-2006, 11:31 AM

I think that's it! sounds exactly like it.. the white and black does vary quite a bit also.. I guess it's not a bad thing to have one?

EDIT: yes
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showp...t=1&thecat=562
this is exactly what it looks like!

So I guess they eat mulluscs mostly? I have notice that I have what looks like tiny muscle shells freshly discarded on my sand bed from time to time.. I thought it was the peppermint shrimp or hermits eating them. lol