Need ID

[surfer85]

I was busting up a rock today getting some palys off and when it broke i noticed a red worm just kinda slowly going back into the hole. i grabbed some tweezers and pulled it off now i just need to know what it is and should i worry.
29202
I haven't noticed any of my corals looking like they've been eaten. Everything is doing fine and growing well.

[Nick_Kun]

bristle worm

[surfer85]

What should I do?

[Nick_Kun]

here's more info.

http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/bristleworm.htm

I leave mine alone. They are good scavengers.

[surfer85]

Thanks alot. I'll leave mine alone too.

[HandyCaptPuffer]

They arent very attractive, but it seems everyone is ok leaving those in the tanks.

I've never had a whole lot in my tanks, but Ive taken down a tank that was up for 10 years and had thousands. It was disgusting.

[jrod11]

They are great additions to your clean up crew. They eat lots of waste and left over food. They are known though to eat fish when they get huge ( like a foot long). I have pulled a few out at night that were 8 inches or so just so that i didnt have to worry about it.

[surfer85]

That's pretty crazy. it's almost like having a little sea monster lurking in your tank...might take a hand off one of these days.:ohsnap:

[bkh_sd]

Oh and they can sting you.... I found out the hard way when lifting a live rock. Felt like a bunch of bee stings while feeling like the fingers were asleep... Took a few days for the fingers to be normal again. Wear gloves and use tweezers.

[mj1333]

Just make sure to get them out before hey turn into this.
http://news.aol.com/article/giant-sea-worm/412269?icid=main|main|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews. aol.com%2Farticle%2Fgiant-sea-worm%2F412269