worms

Question
Hi,  I have a 240 litre  reef tank after 2yrs I have started getting these worms that look like algae you clean out the pipes, they are light brown in colour, the small ones float in the currant and the bigger ones bury in the sand, they seem to grow to about 15mm maximum. could you tell me what they are and if I should do anything to remove them,  Kindest regards Dave.

Answer
Hello Dave,

Well, not sure exactly what kind of worms you might have.. Maybe a better description or a picture would help

But, please look up Spaghetti Worm   or 'Peanut Worm'

The first one, (spaghetti worm), is very small, thin.  Like hair.  And it lives in tube/shell shaped out of the sand or some type of tube... the filiment extends into the water current and trys to 'snag' food particles, and then retractacts back into the tune



Peanut Worms live in the rocks, or the holes in the rocks and they are slight tan/brown color...  They basically move around from one hole to another, looking for food particles...


These type of worms are indicators that things are progressing well for you.. They are filter feeders and as such will help clean your water...

On some occasions, the seeper tentacles will irritate some corals, but generally, most corals will get used to them.   

I have a lot of these buggers, and most folks dont even notice them until I point them out...

Please let me know if these are the type of worms you have, and if not, maybe give me some more info.



It might be easier to follow up on my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com  There are more members there and you will get feedback from me and anyone else who might recognize them.

I also have a live chat room so you will be able to chat with me or anyone else who maybe online at the same time...

Good luck, and i hope to see you online soon


bill

thanks


Bill