Peanut Worm?
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42878
Printed Date: June 16 2025 at 2:27am
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Topic: Peanut Worm?
Posted By: jen!
Subject: Peanut Worm?
Date Posted: August 16 2010 at 9:13pm
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Hello all! I have quite a few of these guys in my tank we picked up from a fellow utahreefs goer and I wasn't quite sure what they were. When we first were moving the tank and sand and such these guys were curled up along the top of the sand bed after being put in buckets. I assumed they didn't make it, but once we refilled the tank and got everything going they came to life. They buried into the sand and now stick out tentacles with two black ones (reminding me of pinchers in a way). I started to wonder if it was a predatory worm, but I wasn't sure. So I'm here asking you experts for help! I shoveled one out of the sand bed. He wasn't happy and brought his tentacles in a bit.  Here is a pic of what he looks like in the tank with is mouth wide open. Sorry it wasn't the best of pics, they blend with the sand bed pretty well and this guy was wedged between a rock and the sand.  Big arrow is pointing to his head/mouth (lighter circle with the two dark black lines are part of his mouth?) and the smaller arrows pointing to his tentacle type things around his mouth. They are almost anemone-like. I can't find any pics of a peanut worm with his mouth extended the way these guys do... your help is much appreciated!  |
Replies:
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: August 16 2010 at 9:44pm
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looks almost like a mini medusa worm. ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: jen!
Date Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:06pm
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I hear mixed reviews on Medusa Worms. Not sure yet if they really leave the sand bed to move around like some have said they do. Most are in the same spot they always are. :/ I'll definitely research more about Medusa worms to see if that's what they could be! |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: August 16 2010 at 10:26pm
I have one and it moves ALL over the place  ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: jonafriendj
Date Posted: August 16 2010 at 11:08pm
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I second that it's not a peanut :) ------------- Pleasant Grove |
Posted By: jen!
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 12:48am
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Caught a vid of one tonight. I so should have turned my camera the other way. Very interested in what these are! |
Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 1:30am
| have you tried to touch it does it retract quickly that looked like a type of aptasia to me |
Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 2:06pm
| Its a Medussa Cucumber (worm), they are extremely toxic. I would pull it out I've seen too many tanks wiped out because of these guys over the years. We dont even sell them because of this. |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 2:34pm
| Shawn, am I correct in thinking that this is because they die and release their toxins rather than because of any actions on their part? |
Posted By: jen!
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 4:19pm
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I checked with wetwebmedia to see if they could help me out a bit as to what these guys were. <Hello Jen, Lynn here today.> Good day to you! <Thank you, and you as well!> I have an interesting worm that I can't seem to find an ID on. <I see it and guess what? It’s actually a
variety of Sea Cucumber/Holothuroid, mostly likely in the family
Synaptidae. These Cukes are mostly nocturnal, “moppers”/deposit feeders
that consume organic detritus or sponge secretions. They do best in
large, mature systems but can be offered sinking pellets as a supplement
to their diet. Rob Toonen recommends dropping a sinking shrimp pellet
near the Cuke just before the lights go out, as this will give the
pellet time to soften before the Cuke begins to actively feed. Regarding
size, some Synaptids can get quite large (5-6 feet/1.5-1.8 meters),
however, most seen in aquaria remain comparatively small. Overall,
they’re peaceful but can fall victim to roving hermits.> <Yep, I haven’t seen one of these neat little fellows in quite a while, so I’m more than happy to help!>I've checked your site and just about every way I can think of naming it through Google as well. Perhaps you can help? These worms were found in the live sand from a tank we recently purchased. <Nice>When we transported everything to our house, I noticed
that these guys were resting on top of the sand in the buckets and
figured they were dead. We got everything set up and once done, these guys came back to life. They
started to burrow in the sand and by the next day they had their mouths
sticking out with almost tentacle-like appendages. <Yep, what you’re seeing are the feeding tentacles/appendages.
Synaptid Cukes tend to feed either from a stationary position, reaching
out from within a rock crevice or sediment burrow, or while actively
moving around. Either way, they can move surprisingly fast when it comes
to retracting back into their burrow/crevice or making a quick
getaway.>They seem like they just filter feed, <Although there are filter-feeding Cukes, Synaptids are actually deposit feeders, grabbing bits of food from surrounding surfaces. The most obvious difference between the two involves the feeding tentacles (since many times that’s all you can see). In lieu of a ring of relatively simple tentacles (like your individual has), those of filter-feeders generally appear elaborately branched, feathery, and delicate. The tentacles bring bits of captured food to the mouth by curling in on themselves, one at a time, then unfurling back into the water.> ..but their appearance almost makes me wonder if their tentacles resting on the sand bed and outreached <Typical position> ..like they are at night could possibly be some sort of predatory worm? <Nah, what you have is fairly harmless, even though it’s a Cuke. Normally, when a hobbyist finds out they have a resident Sea Cucumber, the first thing that goes through their mind is the dreaded “Cuke-nuke”. That’s when a stressed or dying individual spews its innards and releases a toxin that can wipe out a system. Sea Apples are beautiful, but notorious for this. What you have on your side is the fact that Synaptids lack the potentially devastating Cuvierian tubules that other Cukes possess. That’s not to say though that what you have is completely harmless. These Cukes likely have their own defense system that makes them taste bad (or otherwise discourages predation), and if you have quite a few, and they all die, you could have an issue with ammonia. One thing you might want to do (for right now, anyway) is to run some carbon just in case, mainly because there may be some die-off (and ammonia build-up) as a result of the move. Be sure to keep an eye on your water parameters and be ready to perform some water changes if/when necessary.> Any insight on these guys would be greatly appreciated! <For more information, please see the following links: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm - http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/invert.htm - http://www.advancedaquarist. Thanks! <You’re very welcome!> Jen Thought you guys would like to see what they thought as well. Very cool stuff! :) |
Posted By: jen!
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 4:33pm
Still wondering if I should be leery or not of these guys. They definitely are the smaller kind (I say that now ) And it's not the same sort of 'medusa worm' sold at some fish stores. Conflicting tales of them killing/not having the parts to kill makes me still up in the air. It would be quite a task to get all of them out and re-disturbing the dsb and such.  |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 4:53pm
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With the above information, I would leave them if they were in my tank. Of course I also leave those tiny Seastars that reproduce so profusely while some others think must come at at all costs. |
Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 7:34pm
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I disagree with WWM they are TOXIC. If they die they will release toxins and kill your fish, it is however harmless to Corals. I had a hitch hiker wipe out all of the fish after it fell into a Carpet Anemone. It also killed the Anemone. These are IMO worse than Sea Apples. I've heard the same from many different people over the years, so believe who you like but it seems not worth it to me. Here is a quote from Ron Shimek, Reef Invertebrates Book -Have the potential to cause tank"wipeouts" When in doubt, pull it out!
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Posted By: jen!
Date Posted: August 17 2010 at 8:54pm
Thanks for the info and suggestions. I haven't quite known what to do with them, but someone speaking from experience saying it's killed things... I think I'll start taking out the ones I see. Oi this is going to be a task!  |
Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 11:26am
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Posted By: rwccomptech
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 11:46am
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What I dont get is why would one place tell you not toxic then another guy tell you toxic. Steve seems fine to have them in his tank so I figure if its part of the natural biology why not keep it in their.
------------- Ron 20g 60x turnover 30" current pc fixture |
Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 1:31pm
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Welcome to the world of Reef Tanks, you will always find tons of opinions. Most are lip service and some are backed up with practical experience. As far as the Ecosystem? There are a ton of things that are a part of the Ecosystem that do harm to you reef tank. Because it exists does'nt mean you want it in your tank. Its always your choice to choose your advice. There is a difference between "book smart" and "street smart".Some of us are both...:)
Why risk it?
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Posted By: SGH360
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 2:09pm
| well have AC so in case one dies it wont cause that much damage. Beside they are weird looking. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 6:45pm
The LFS have experiences that hobbyists never encounter. Typically LFS aquarium systems are different than our home reef aquarium. They have fish running through their tanks constantly. Our animals stay the same. Fish that come into a LFS are often not even out of their stressed state when they get sold. Assuming that you are relatively new to the hobby, I would suggest three things: 1- Take what you hear/read with a grain of salt. Use it as you feel is best for your tank and situation. 2- Consider that in this circumstance, these worms came from an established tank that probably never had any problem with them. 3- Recognize that 99% of all organism species in our tanks are a good and necessary part of the ecosystem. Each tank is different and each has it's major forms of life. It's entirely possible that in your care the environment of this tank may be different enough that these worms may not even survive to reproduce, so whether they are really good or possibly bad will be a moot point.  BTW, I noticed that you mentioned the disturbing of the sand bed. After many years of experience, I have found that it is best to disturb a sand bed from time to time. Just like a storm on the ocean that stirs everything up, our tanks do best when there is a little storm now and again. In fact the detritus that collects in the sand bed, when allowed to puff up into the water column, is food for coral. There are several ways to do this if you are interested. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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jen! wrote:Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 6:53pm
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I would get them out of my tank fast!!!!!! Why chance a tank wipe out? ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: jen!
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 9:46pm
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Thanks Mark! You made some good points. I did start to pick some out, and then noticed a bunch were dead under one of the shelf rocks (I'm guessing from the move). We have a couple starter damsels in there and they seem unaffected by the find. (whew!) So I'll leave the few in there to filter what they can in the sand. There were quite a few, so I figure I thinned them out enough to where the others will find ample detritus without the competition. They are rather ugly, but everything has it's purpose. We've had a couple other saltwater reefs over the past 5 years, but this is the first time I've ever seen these guys, it's crazy seeing something grow from scratch vs. picking up someone's work and seeing all the critters they had. And thanks for the info on the sand bed. I really was nervous about re-releasing any toxins into the tank after trying to get it cleared up from the move. Makes perfect sense that there would be disturbance in the wild. |
Posted By: jwoo
Date Posted: August 19 2010 at 11:37pm
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IMO I would get rid of all of them. I'm with Shawn and Jeff on this. I have a lot of money in my tank and the slightest chance that these are the type that would nuke it would be enough.
Maybe the other owner did have problems with fish mysteriously dying and you never knew? Maybe he never had enough of them die to make a difference. For me even a 10% chance of this happening is enough. Sorry this isn't the ocean despite how much we try to replicate it, somethings are harmful. I wouldn't have some hitch hiker killing all my fish. ------------- None at the moment Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 20 2010 at 8:12am
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I'm not saying that it would hurt to remove them, but that in my experiece with keeping dozens of my own and many hundreds of other peoples reef aquariums, I seriously doubt that you will see a problem. These may look like the enormous Medussa worm, which I have never liked btw, but they are not that Medussa worm. I doubt that they will be a problem. On another note, you mentioned "starter damsels". May I just make the comment that I do not recommend that method of setting up a new tank for several reasons. You may find the stuff linked below in my signature line very interesting reading. Skip past the part about Utah sand and rock if you like, but look at what I have found to be a better way to set up a reef tank. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: August 20 2010 at 11:49am
Jen, you also mention that you found some dead. Obviously I have not seen them. but I think it unlikely that they have been sitting their dead since the move. They decompose very quickly. They are most likely just not doing well.
Mark, If you can't positively identify the Cuc's and your personal lack of experience with them. It would be very unwise to suggest anything other than the safe alternative. IMO
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Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 20 2010 at 12:39pm
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It is certainly very good that we have heard from Aquatica. It makes us want to be watchful. If it were me, I'd let those worms live and watch them carefully, but if they seem to be causing a problem, start removing them. For example, I don't recommend keeping Sea Apples, but have kept them and know of others who have kept them without incident. BTW, not only can I tell the strength of the O3 by it's sensation in my mouth, but I can tell the approximate TDS level of purified water by tasting it. Is that  geeky or what? ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: Aquatic Evolution
Date Posted: August 20 2010 at 3:29pm
I'd like to put that to the test, but would you quit calling them worms. Just remember the first sign of trouble is all of your fish are DEAD!
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 20 2010 at 4:07pm
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I always thought that it would be harder to keep animals alive at an lfs. I really don't think the experience would be different other than the lfs has alot of fish and corals coming and going. ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 20 2010 at 4:22pm
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Slugs?
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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Posted By: bugzme
Date Posted: August 20 2010 at 4:51pm
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Mark what you don't realize is that some people have thousands of dollars in corals and fish and some people believe in what you say and take the chance with their investment on your word! Please remember that when you are posting this! That being said maybe you could learn from other peoples experience to make your reef better!
Not trying to make anyone mad but that's how I feel. ------------- Jeff 125 tank 50 gallon sump T-5 lighting Rum drinker, Carbon User I KNOW ROCKS THAT ARE YOUNGER THEN ME!! I AM A Realist! I write what I think!! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: August 22 2010 at 11:52am
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Jeff, I need to tank you. You create learning situations for me every time you post.
------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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