I think I found the mystery critter - Frag Outpost Forums - Coral Propagation and Reef Aquarium Forums

EvilTwin · 03-11-2006, 02:20 PM

I've been using the trap for the last three nights with no success. This morning, while looking around the tank and showing it to someone I stumbled across what looks like some kind of worm. The hole is very small, and it was able to retract all the way in and disappear. When it was poking out it looked to have a black/white coloring and it was spreading out what looked like feathers at the end/head that poked out. It almost looked like some kind of feather duster but this is much different. I'm thinking some kind of bristleworm but I need to research some pics. I tried to get a picture but it's in a tough spot.

FragOutpost · 03-11-2006, 02:29 PM

Possibly a peanut worm?

FragOutpost · 03-11-2006, 02:30 PM

Scroll to the bottom of this page - http://jwshelton.home.mchsi.com/salt3.html

FragOutpost · 03-11-2006, 02:32 PM

An even better page for identifying a peanut worm - http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rs/index.php

FragOutpost · 03-11-2006, 02:40 PM

Or maybe a Eunicid worm like this 6 footer here - http://www.oregonreef.com/sub_worm.htm

That would be big enough to leave fecal matter as big as in your other thread!

EvilTwin · 03-11-2006, 03:30 PM

OK, a 7 foot worm would be a scary thing. I have determined that this worm is definitely the source of my mystery pooh. I looked in the tank this afternoon several ties. Each time it would retreat back into the rock when I shone a flashlight on it. At one point I saw pooh coming from the hole and a large pile of it at the base of the rock below the hole.

What the hell is this thing?????

FragOutpost · 03-11-2006, 03:32 PM

Black and white with feather like extensions protruding from the head is most likely a peanut worm. Very beneficial detrivore.

EvilTwin · 03-11-2006, 03:54 PM

So then it would seem I have found my poop maker, but will it eat my crabs? I didn't think so.

FragOutpost · 03-11-2006, 04:23 PM

If it is indeed a peanut worm then your crabs are safe (at least from the worm).

EvilTwin · 03-11-2006, 09:20 PM

Here's a pic:

I caught it almost two inches in length sticking out from it's rock after the lights went out. At least now I know where to look.

FragOutpost · 03-11-2006, 09:30 PM

I used photoshop to adjust the brightness and contrast of your image. I have circled what I assume you are talking about. Is this correct?

EvilTwin · 03-11-2006, 09:45 PM

Yep, that's it. In the dark, it has been stretching out 1-2 inches or more and appears rather brown with rings over the body.

FragOutpost · 03-12-2006, 09:59 AM

The coloration seems to resemble the image Figure 3 from the link to the Ron Shimek article posted above.

D12monkey · 03-12-2006, 01:25 PM

That's the source of the poop, what about the scratching?

FragOutpost · 03-12-2006, 02:35 PM

I was wondering about the scratching sound as well.

EvilTwin · 03-13-2006, 07:16 PM

I don't think the scratching is coming from the worm, so it's still a mystery.

FragOutpost · 03-13-2006, 07:19 PM

Are you still setting the trap?

EvilTwin · 03-13-2006, 07:38 PM

I set the trap 3 nights in a row, only caught my peppermint shrimp on the fist night. I'm in Boulder, CO this week, so no trapping.