Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Moment man cleaning out his aquarium disturbs a scary-looking 3ft-long bobbit worm that had been hiding in his coral for TWO YEARS

Lurk: The bobbit worm rears its ugly head after emerging from behind a collection of rocks in the aquarium

What's hiding in YOUR fish tank? Moment man cleaning out his aquarium disturbs a scary-looking 3ft-long bobbit worm that had been hiding in his coral for TWO YEARS

  • Grim creature captured slithering between rocks and up side of aquarium
  • Fish-owner puts clip on YouTube where it gets more than 173,000 views
  • He originally spotted bobbit worm when he noticed his coral was missing
  • Bobbit worms are lunge predators who use receptors to hunt fish and coral
A man could not believe his eyes when a giant bobbit worm akin to a sea monster emerged from behind a rock in his fish tank  - after hiding there for two years.
The ghastly creature is captured slithering its way between rocks after the man spotted it while he was cleaning the aquarium's filthy glass. 
It is not clear how the 1.2metre worm found its way into the tank but it is common for such creatures to hide in the live coral sold to pet owners.


Lurk: The bobbit worm rears its ugly head after emerging from behind a collection of rocks in the aquarium
Slither: The 1.2metre worm makes its way along the side of the glass tank by arching its body up and down
Slither: The 1.2metre worm makes its way along the side of the glass tank by arching its body up and down
After capturing the worm in action the man posted the clip, which is filmed in the U.S, on YouTube where it has been watched over 173,000 times.
Maroon coloured with small spiky tentacles along the side of a long ridged armoured body, the worm cuts a striking figure as it glides through the murky water.
It looks more like a creature you would expect to see attacking a crew of intrepid sailors in a science fiction film, than swimming in a fish tank.

At one point you can even see its tail slither away, seemingly having a life of its own, despite being cut off just before the film begins.
After making its way along the glass wall of the aquarium the worm then heads to what looks like the tank's fan and begins to move its way inside.
Bobbit worms, or Eunice aphroditois as they are scientifically known, are ambush predators who have been known to eat fish and coral.
Originating off the coast of countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, they often hide in rocks and use light and chemical receptors to lunge at their prey.
Mysterious: Bobbit worms are found off the coast of Indonesia and pictured, it shows its colourful underbelly

Mysterious: Bobbit worms are found off the coast of Indonesia and pictured, it shows its colourful underbelly
Giant: The worm glides through the murky water of the aquarium after hiding in the tank for two years
Giant: The worm glides through the murky water of the aquarium after hiding in the tank for two years
Shelter: The giant worm slithers up to a fan-like object in the aquarium and begins to weave its way inside
Shelter: The giant worm slithers up to a fan-like object in the aquarium and begins to weave its way inside
Gurutek who posted the video said he had first noticed the worm after his coral began to rapidly disappear.
He said: 'I was breaking down the tank (as I was moving it), hence it looking shoddy. That unice was in there two years before I noticed, and only noticed because I had whole coral colonies missing after a single evening. 
'I first saw it after I spent a few nights sat up (after lights went out) for about 3 hours per night looking for the critter who was eating my corals. 
'Even when I knew it was there, I only ever saw it 3 times within the space of a year. It hides in the rocks, and only comes out at night, impossible to catch without taking everything out the tank.'

CREATURE FROM THE DEEP: THE BOBBIT WORM 

Bobbit worms, or Eunice aphroditois as they are known, are lunge predators that lurk between coral and rocks to attack their prey from a sheltered position.
The worms have two pairs of eyes at the base of their antennae but do not always use them to hunt.
Instead they use light and chemical receptors to identify when the best time is to attack their prey.
Bobbit worms also have powerful jaws, often mistaken for claws, which can rip prey in half when teamed with their ability to attack at great speed.
Nocturnal creatures, the worms have previously found their way into fish tanks or large aquariums by accidentally stowing away in live coral.
Due to their instinct to only come out at night, owners don't tend to realise that they are there until large chunks of coral, which they also eat, or fish start to disappear.
Bobbit worms are often found off the coast of countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines and some have been known to grow up to nine ft-long.

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