Please help me identify this creature I bought from the LFS

[C J Rodders]

Well, it is the beginning of the month and pay time. So, I persuaded my better half to take a trip to our local LFS. We bought a beautiful 'coral beauty' fish and a polyp coral. During our visit to the LFS, we couldn't help notice this very strange creature swimming about in the coral tank. It is 2'6" long when fully extended. It is worm like in body with a feather duster type head. When it moves, it uses an earth worm type technique of contracting and extending segments of its body. Its girth is about the circumference of my thumb. The coloration is a series of light brown and dark grey bands. I know I commited the cardinal sin by purchasing an unknown animal for my delicately balanced reef tank. However, I also know that every now and then the LFS have one offs for sale. Yesterday, Saturday, the LFS specialist was not working and I had to either take the chance or miss the opportunity. So, what have I done? What is it called? Is it safe in my tank? Will my brittle star attack it? What will it feed on? I know I am about to get a lecture from you about doing my home work first. I couldn't find any reference in my marine aquarium manual (Nick Dakin) or on the internet. I tried Google but had no luck without knowing the name.

 

[ochretoe]

I have seen what you have at one lfs. I think you have a Midas worm, they are also called Medusa worms by some fs. I don,t know a lot about them but this might give you a place to start searching.
Steve

 

[Jawbone]

Medusa Worm I would guess

 

[monkeyboy]

Sounds like a 'medusa worm' to me, it's a kind of sea cucumber. They really aren't a good choice for your tank, that is, unless you don't plan to keep fish. First they can get sucked into an overflow or into an improperly protected pump inlet (think: milkshake). Second if they get injured they can release toxins and kill fish, not sure what will happen to inverts. They work on the sandbed a little, kind of a detritavore but they also filter phyto and marine snow (enter julian sprung

).

They have sea apple written all over them, toxic if damaged. Be carefull!

 

[Mouse]

Im sure the medusa worm will be fine, as your brittle star will make light work of any fish that could bother it anyhow.

 

[clyde]

you need a book or two.

 

[C J Rodders]

Mouse, I don't quite understand your statement. How will my brittle star affect the livelyhood of the medusa worm and the rest of the tank?

Anyone prepared to recommend the books I should be reading?
CJ

 

[Anonymous]

I suggest Dr. Ron over at RC. He is pretty good with this kind of thing. I am sure he would be happy to give you severl book reccomendations. HTH