Unidentified creature in my tank

[William Dennis Lang]

I've had my saltwater tank now for about 8-9 months and I just recently noticed a new creature that I don't recognize. It looks like a long skinny red earthworm that has a line of hairs going all the way down the left and right sides of its body. The line of hairs on both sides go from the front of its body all the way to the back of its body. When I say it looks like an earthworm, its not nearly as thick as an earthworm and it is a bright red. I don't know exactly how long it is because it is always hiding under the live rock in the tank. When it does stretch out all the way its at least 3-1/2 inches long but I've never seen it come completely out from underneath the live rock so I don't know exactly how long it is. Does anyone know what this might be? Thanks

[NoobSalt]

Sounds like a bristle worm to me.

[atlanticreef]

Little late lol. As noobsalt said bristle worms. Not harmful when small just feeds on uneaten food and other stuff, But when they do get to several inches and then will pose a threat to your fish as they can sting and sting yourself swell. Get rid of it maybe put it your sump of filter which ever you have.

[William Dennis Lang]

How do I get rid of it? Also if I can catch it I will try to take a quality pic of it and post it on here.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

I have a bunch of them under 4 inches and they haven't caused any issues. I consider them part of my clean up crew. If you're set on getting rid of them, most fish stores sell bristle worm traps. They can also be ordered online. HTH.

[atlanticreef]

Don't get me wrong they aint all that bad. As your say they are just the same as your clean up crew if not better as they get into the parts your hermits an snails don't. I've just seen they can get to twenty inches in length. But as they grow bigger some can become a threat to your fish, corals and anemones. I also had a few living in my canister filter. If you have a red led for invertebrates switch that on at night you may see it come out from the rockwork.

[Reefing Madness]

How do I get rid of it? Also if I can catch it I will try to take a quality pic of it and post it on here.

How to Remove Bristle Worm | eHow.com

[William Dennis Lang]

Ok, thanks everyone

[kevinpo]

This is what can happen if you come into contact with them. For most people the area becomes red and sore for a couple of days that's it. The majority of the 20,000K species are quite harmless and provide excellent cleaning of leftover food and carrion.

Cheers,
Kevin

[William Dennis Lang]

This is what can happen if you come into contact with them. For most people the area becomes red and sore for a couple of days that's it. The majority of the 20,000K species are quite harmless and provide excellent cleaning of leftover food and carrion.

Cheers,
Kevin

OUCH!!! I'll make sure not to handle him. Thanks