What!? ID Please

minimalist · 05/21/2007, 05:41 PM

This afternoon, I've been watching two tiny creatures chase each other around the front pane of glass. They're each about 1/16" long.

After dinner, I returned to the tank and one of them is laying eggs!

Anyone know what these are?

minimalist · 05/21/2007, 05:47 PM

Bristle worms, perhaps? Would they be reproducing at such a young age?

minimalist · 05/21/2007, 06:39 PM

Bump.

Paintbug · 05/21/2007, 06:41 PM

how long are those? im thinking they are from the genus Ophryotrocha. may want to PM LeslieH, she may be able to help.

http://www.umanitoba.ca/science/zool...ryotrocha.html

minimalist · 05/21/2007, 06:41 PM

Says in the first post.

Paintbug · 05/21/2007, 06:43 PM

yes it does

thats what happens when your reading with a dog in your lap LOL, i edited my last post

minimalist · 05/21/2007, 07:00 PM

I think you're right. Are they beneficial?

minimalist · 05/21/2007, 08:07 PM

There doesn't seem to be much info available on these guys. Anyone have experience with them? Is there any reason to remove them?

LeslieH · 05/22/2007, 12:28 AM

Yup, some species of Ophryotrocha. They're micrograzers. Get a couple hundred or thousand on your glass and they'll help keep it clean. Otherwise they're a minor step up the food chain.

minimalist · 05/22/2007, 10:21 AM

Thanks! I'm going to leave them be. They're still in the same spot this morning. They appear to be guarding the eggs.

05/21/2007, 05:41 PM	#1
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	What!? ID Please This afternoon, I've been watching two tiny creatures chase each other around the front pane of glass. They're each about 1/16" long. After dinner, I returned to the tank and one of them is laying eggs! Anyone know what these are? Last edited by minimalist; 05/21/2007 at 05:53 PM.

05/21/2007, 06:41 PM	#4
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	how long are those? im thinking they are from the genus Ophryotrocha. may want to PM LeslieH, she may be able to help. http://www.umanitoba.ca/science/zool...ryotrocha.html __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

05/21/2007, 06:43 PM	#6
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	yes it does thats what happens when your reading with a dog in your lap LOL, i edited my last post __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

05/21/2007, 07:00 PM	#7
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	I think you're right. Are they beneficial? Last edited by minimalist; 05/21/2007 at 07:13 PM.

05/22/2007, 12:28 AM	#9
LeslieH Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,178	Yup, some species of Ophryotrocha. They're micrograzers. Get a couple hundred or thousand on your glass and they'll help keep it clean. Otherwise they're a minor step up the food chain. __________________ Cheers, Leslie So many worms, so little time... Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

05/21/2007, 05:47 PM	#2
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	Bristle worms, perhaps? Would they be reproducing at such a young age?

05/21/2007, 06:39 PM	#3
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	Bump.

05/21/2007, 08:07 PM	#8
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	There doesn't seem to be much info available on these guys. Anyone have experience with them? Is there any reason to remove them?

05/22/2007, 10:21 AM	#10
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	Thanks! I'm going to leave them be. They're still in the same spot this morning. They appear to be guarding the eggs.