Black worm masses

j-man the skater-man · 11-29-2007, 03:38 PM

I got a new 50/50 light bulb 2 days ago. Today i noticed black dustings and 2 large blobs of very small (1/8in at most) "worms" they seem to be focused on the algea covered sections of the tank. I have checked all the parameters and they have not changed either way since the new lightbulb. Any ideas on what they may be? or what may have caused their sudden mass appearance. I have only 3 hermits and 2 cerith snails. and havent added anything new besides the light in 2 weeks.

thanks

**Damon** · 11-29-2007, 04:46 PM

are they black? I was thinking copepods

j-man the skater-man · 11-29-2007, 04:58 PM

The look black under the 50/50 light i hate to say leach but they look like a micro black leach although they dont move in the typical attach-contract-attach-extend repeat movement. I googled copepods to make double sure....deff not copepods

**TheOldSalt** · 11-30-2007, 03:37 AM

I can pretty much guarantee you that they are not leeches. I would say black spaghetti worms, but they're kinda small for those..
The fact is, there's thousands of tiny little reef critters to consider out there, and as much as i hate to say it, a picture does tell a thousand words. Of course, a good pic of something so small would be hard to get.
As for the copepods, many copepods stay borrowed all the time, leaving only their antennae sticking out, and these are often mistaken for worms. That is as good a guess as any.

jasno999 · 11-30-2007, 10:52 AM

Do you have a picture to share?

j-man the skater-man · 11-30-2007, 08:06 PM

The antennae idea is genius but i see the worms on hard rockface so allas thats not it. I did try to take a picture but the best one i could get (of a large group) was still just a black blob and this is with my schools 900$ camera (im the editor). Im not really concerned with getting rid of them just trying to figure out if they are related to or an indicator of some larger problem. And knowing if they are benificial wouldnt hurt. Need any more info just ask and i will try to answer as best i can

thanks

its been 3 days since i first noticed them and their numbers have dropped dramatically but i still see a good number in/on the sandbed

j-man the skater-man · 12-02-2007, 08:38 AM

i have some new Live Rock ive been curing out and its ready to put into the tank.....should i figure out what the black worms are before adding the new rock?

**Scuba Kid** · 12-02-2007, 12:42 PM

Anything in here look similar?

http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyu...itchworms.html

j-man the skater-man · 12-02-2007, 01:51 PM

The black worms im concerned about arent on that page.

I just remembered this but when i first noticed the worms they were on a patch of green grasslike algae and now the algae patch is gone...not sure if the worms are responsible but figured i would add it since it might be helpful

11-29-2007, 03:38 PM	#1
j-man the skater-man invert freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: whiteville NC Age: 18 Posts: 345	Black worm masses I got a new 50/50 light bulb 2 days ago. Today i noticed black dustings and 2 large blobs of very small (1/8in at most) "worms" they seem to be focused on the algea covered sections of the tank. I have checked all the parameters and they have not changed either way since the new lightbulb. Any ideas on what they may be? or what may have caused their sudden mass appearance. I have only 3 hermits and 2 cerith snails. and havent added anything new besides the light in 2 weeks. thanks

11-29-2007, 04:46 PM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	are they black? I was thinking copepods __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

11-30-2007, 10:52 AM	#5
jasno999 Aquarium Friend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA - PA Age: 30 Posts: 81	Do you have a picture to share? __________________ Here Fishy Fishy Current Tanks: 10 Gallon FW Livebearer tank 10 Gallon SW Nano-Type Reef 29 Gallon FW Mixed Tank

11-30-2007, 08:06 PM	#6
j-man the skater-man invert freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: whiteville NC Age: 18 Posts: 345	The antennae idea is genius but i see the worms on hard rockface so allas thats not it. I did try to take a picture but the best one i could get (of a large group) was still just a black blob and this is with my schools 900$ camera (im the editor). Im not really concerned with getting rid of them just trying to figure out if they are related to or an indicator of some larger problem. And knowing if they are benificial wouldnt hurt. Need any more info just ask and i will try to answer as best i can thanks its been 3 days since i first noticed them and their numbers have dropped dramatically but i still see a good number in/on the sandbed Last edited by j-man the skater-man; 12-01-2007 at 07:33 PM.

12-02-2007, 12:42 PM	#8
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 17 Posts: 4,160	Anything in here look similar? http://home2.pacific.net.ph/~sweetyu...itchworms.html __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks

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11-29-2007, 04:58 PM	#3
j-man the skater-man invert freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: whiteville NC Age: 18 Posts: 345	The look black under the 50/50 light i hate to say leach but they look like a micro black leach although they dont move in the typical attach-contract-attach-extend repeat movement. I googled copepods to make double sure....deff not copepods

11-30-2007, 03:37 AM	#4
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,250	I can pretty much guarantee you that they are not leeches. I would say black spaghetti worms, but they're kinda small for those.. The fact is, there's thousands of tiny little reef critters to consider out there, and as much as i hate to say it, a picture does tell a thousand words. Of course, a good pic of something so small would be hard to get. As for the copepods, many copepods stay borrowed all the time, leaving only their antennae sticking out, and these are often mistaken for worms. That is as good a guess as any.

12-02-2007, 08:38 AM	#7
j-man the skater-man invert freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: whiteville NC Age: 18 Posts: 345	i have some new Live Rock ive been curing out and its ready to put into the tank.....should i figure out what the black worms are before adding the new rock?

12-02-2007, 01:51 PM	#9
j-man the skater-man invert freak Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: whiteville NC Age: 18 Posts: 345	The black worms im concerned about arent on that page. I just remembered this but when i first noticed the worms they were on a patch of green grasslike algae and now the algae patch is gone...not sure if the worms are responsible but figured i would add it since it might be helpful Last edited by j-man the skater-man; 12-02-2007 at 01:54 PM.

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