Funny neon green worm

[karid]

So after almost 3 years, this little neon green worm rears his fuzzy, phallic-looking head.

What kind of worm is this? I've not seen one before.

The green part is about 3/4" long (it's white at base) and he's about 1/8" diameter.

http://www.dickensons.org/ReefCentral/worm1.jpg

http://www.dickensons.org/ReefCentral/worm2.jpg

[scaast]

Whatever it is...it's COOL!!

[karid]

Thanks! I first noticed it a couple weeks ago and the green part is just getting longer and longer...

[wantsalotta]

I have seen algea look like that before.

[wantsalotta]

Sorry, I can't tell you a genus or species though. You could probably take it to the marine plant forum for some ID

[Mr.Biggs]

I think it's algae.... neomeris annulata

[karid]

Wow - I never would have guessed algae! Thanks. That sure looks like it.

[CHARLIE AGUILAR]

I have some sponge that looks the same!

[roguemonk]

http://reeflagoon.com/images/images_pre-2007/09242005YellowAlgae3.jpg

My 110 went through a phase where they grew like weeds everywhere, and my 150 G is now entering the same phase. Possibly if you keep calcium high they will continue to grow, or perhaps it is just natural part of the cycle that eventually they die out in favor of other slower-growing types of macroalgae and microalgae and coralline.

When the algae dies off you'll have these nice, crumbly white things...

They fall apart after a while, I think.

Brad

[karid]

Hm. I'm thinking I should get it out of there before there are any more of them. We've got a bunch of halimeda that I want to pull out too. I'd rather the corals (or coralline) take up the calcium - not the macro.

[roguemonk]

I wouldn't worry about the algae outcompeting the corals. After all, you can't stop coralline algae and it probably sucks up more than the rest.

But if you don't like it, yank it out! It's your party!

Thanks,

Brad