What is this? Coral killer?

[scottayy]

I've recently discovered an absolute abundance of these worms in my tank! I've never looked under the rocks with my lights off.

I think it is killing my zoa rock (about half of the polyps are gone) and possibly some other corals in the tank.

I will post 3 pictures, each one with a red line over a second version so you can clearly tell where the worm is. They are spiky along the body.. bulbous looking head I think.. extend several feet when I am feeding to grab up the food (mysis shrimp).

Picture 1:

Picture 2:

Picture 3:

 

[Crystal A]

Dude that's creepy.....

 

[Sniperhank]

I'd say it is a bristle star and prob not the cause of your zoa issues.
Saltwater Aquarium Inverts for Marine Reef Aquariums: Brittle Sea Star, Fancy Starfish

I have some pics of mine in my build thread that you can see the similar long spiny legs sticking out from under rocks that looks just like yours imo.

 

[Keithhjs]

I wish I could see it. Every pic you post shows "connection error". It happens to me on every pic of every post you do idk why. Sucks cuz I never get to see your coral pics lol. Did you mean several inches or feet it extends? It's not a bristle worm either eh?

 

[paul87]

Hmmmm... no idea really. The pic looks different than your explanation. Maybe a spaghetti worm? But I only see one strand of worn so I really don't know. Crazy though!

 

[scottayy]

One I saw was easily two feet long. It kind of looks like digitate hydroid. It does kind of look like a bristle star, but there's so many of them and they are way longer than the max size of 10" liveaquaria states!

 

[paul87]

Wow that's big. Have you checked out spaghetti worms?

 

[54seaweed]

and you believe live aquaria