Pink Worms

Question
I was reading  info on pink worms found on live rock and in the sand from 3-28-04 on your website.  What are these worms and are they dangerous?

Is there a name for them and they just come from the live rock?

Thank you!!

Answer


Nancy,

In most cases the worms that are found on and in the live rock are just hitch hikers and harmless.  When buying live rock or sand many animals live within these items.  I buy cured live rock and many of the creatues die off within 10 days of the curing process.  The worms you are mentioning could be harmless scavengers.  They maybe Medusa or bristleworms.  I think they are bristleworms.  These guys should be kept in low numbers I have read they can damage some soft corals but have never seen it. If the population gets too big then you can trap them.

Thanks
Todd