bristleworm

[obsess&compulse]

I know this is a bristleworm but I have been unable to determine if this is the sort with a good reputation or not. http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/572/10914100_0395smaller.jpg thanks for any help

[NanoReefWanabe]

hard to tell with such a blurry pic...and i know how hard these things are to take pics of...you need a shot of its head, and it has to be much clearer then that one...

but from that pic compared to the pics i have tried to take of 500+ i have like that in my tank i think it is an okay one, and a very agressive scavenger...but i would certainly wait for a educated and informed post from leslie or someone.

you should try taking the pic on a darker plate too, or so i have heard..i think it helps with white balance and focus.

[obsess&compulse]

here is another picture of same worm.http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/10914100_0396.jpg
Croping these pics makes them really blurry...sorry.
Thank you

[LeslieH]

Looks like you're not going to be able to get a good close up of the head. Instead, take a look at the first website below. Ignore the color as this is one of the variants belonging to Hermodice carunuculata. The pic very clearly shows the big sensory organ called a caruncle that gives the worm it's name. The second website is an excellent article on amphinomids & other large worms found in reef tanks.

That said, just from general color & shape I think you've got one of the beneficial species.

http://weblog.greenpeace.org/defendingourmediterranean/2006/07/poisonous_bristleworm_com.html
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php

[obsess&compulse]

Thanks for the replies and the great links. much more informative than those we found.