Orange worm

[Leedowlrods]

Should I get this off my toadstool leather? The polyps haven't opened for 3 days and I've just see this...
I assume its a feather duster but I'm unsure if its good or bad for the coral

 

[Qube]

It looks like a bristleworm. Normally harmless, but it looks like there is a hole in your leather. That doesn't appear to be good at all! I'd get it out if its eating that portion of the leather.

If there isn't a hole in your leather, as the picture eludes to, the leather could just be shedding its outer layer of tissue. They do this sometimes, and it can last several days.

 

[Leedowlrods]

Thanks but there isn't a hole in the leather,

It defo isn't a bristle worm, it's bright orange and has a feather duster type fan at the rear end, I watched it crawl over the leather,

 

[AbsoluteFaye]

If its crawling I don't think it's a feather duster.

 

[Leedowlrods]

Oh right! It was defo on the move, I watched it move all over, seems to be settled next to another one now

 

[AbsoluteFaye]

Wait you mean you have two? Can you get more pics?

 

[AbsoluteFaye]

Hey I found it!!! Aparently it's a new species! Check out this link. It's a few down. Orange fan worm.

http://scienceray.com/biology/marin...arrier-reef-strange-new-creatures-discovered/

 

[Daniel Fishy]

Def in the feather duster family. I've seen crawling and swimming through the water like a worm. If you haven't move it yet I would just move it to the bottom and it will find its happy place.

 

[Leedowlrods]

Anaolutefaye, you are my hero...

That link has the exact same worm as I've got. I'll get more pics when the sun comes up,yes there is defo more than one, possibly 3
I'll keep you posted
Thanks again

 

[MacDracor]

Fan worms and feather duster works are all also bristle worms. If its irritating the leather, just move it, but I don't think it is actually harming it.