SRC Member dryDiver Posted March 17, 2011 SRC Member Share Posted March 17, 2011 hi all, this tank is 1.5years old n have many many of these worms?? that use the sand to make their tube n they come out n dangle like white thread. what is it n how to get rid of them? not very good pics, hope u can see the tube rising up from the sand n under the rocks n the thread-like worms straying around. Thanks for ur input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gouldian Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 It should be a terebellid aka spaghetti worms, they are usually found buried in sand bed or fastened on liverocks; extending its tentacles to feed on detritus an float particles. They are considered beneficial but some hobbyist will removed them due to aesthetic reasons. However, if there is sufficient food source and lack of predation, their population may increase to plague proportion. Some natural opportunistic predators are Pygmy Angels, Wrassees, Dottybacks, Gobies, Coral Banded Shrimp, Butterflyfishes etc (Do your research on the individual species before committing in getting one for your tank). Being opportunistic, they will be able to keep the population in check but will not fully eradicate them. Another way is to remove them manually or to super glue the opening. HTH Ref: http://www.pirx.com/gallery/worms/sworm01 http://www.reefs.org/forums/topic17979.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/general-reef-aquarium-discussion/39483-spaghetti-worms-does-anything-eat-them.html Quote "Reefs, like forests, will only be protected in long term if they are appreciated" Dr. J.E.N. Veron Australian Institute of Marine Science -----------------------------------------------------------------------Member of:UEN: T08SS0098FPlease visit us here: http://www.facebook....uaristSocietySG Facebook Group: http://www.facebook....gid=34281892381 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member dryDiver Posted March 18, 2011 Author SRC Member Share Posted March 18, 2011 tks Gouldian for taking the trouble to get the links. much appreciated. for starters i think i will use my sand shifter starfish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincegoh Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 I had a lot of them and I leave them alone. It jus make the tank more natural, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Supporter mitlancer Posted March 22, 2011 SRC Supporter Share Posted March 22, 2011 Plenty of them in my tank too... but will suck some out during my weekly WC to control the population... They are good scavanger for leftover food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member dryDiver Posted March 23, 2011 Author SRC Member Share Posted March 23, 2011 my spagettis are just too numerous. wondering what fish would clear them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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