Bobbit Worm – Eunice aphroditois

How the Bobbit Worm got its Name

The name “Bobbit Worm” was coined by Dr. Terry Gosliner in the 1996 book Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific, it is a reference to Lorena Bobbitt, who was arrested in 1993 for cutting off the penis of her husband John Bobbit. The name is inspired by the scissor-like jaws of the worm and for its ability to cut prey cleanly in half. Occasional name variations are Bobit Worm and Bobbet Worm, but the confirmed spelling is Bobbit Worm.

Which Worms are Bobbit Worms?

Now that you know how the Bobbit Worm got its name, things get a little more complicated. The original worm that Dr. Gosliner collected and so appropriately named the Bobbit Worm was sent to the Smithsonian for classification. They were only able to identify that the worm belonged to the Genus Eunice, the species could not be identified. So which exact species earns the title of “Bobbit Worm” we will never know, but somehow Eunice aphroditois has been given the title.  To further complicate things the images and awareness of this species haven’t been studied until recently. The term “Bobbit Worm” has spread like wildfire and is being tossed around quite liberally. There are 353 species in the Genus Eunice and they very well can’t all be the Bobbit Worm. Researchers here at ARC Reef are split pretty evenly down the middle. Many of us believe that the name Bobbit Worm, should refer to only the species of Eunice that was originally collected and photographed by Dr. Gosliner, and since Eunice ashoditois is the best-educated guess for that species than only that one species should be aptly named “Bobbit Worm”. Then there are those of us that believe that the name is just so awesome that it should apply to any species in the Genus Eunice, provided that they meet the following requirements (A) Be able to grow to or exceed a length of 18 inches, (B) Be an ambush predator, and (c) posses the iconic double mandible retractable jaw that made it so famous in the first place. Requiring these qualifications eliminates all the herbivore and detritivore type Eunice worms, as well as all the Eunice worms that are no more than a few inches. Leaving us with less than 50 out of the 353 species that can appropriately and fittingly be dubbed, a “Bobbit Worm”, the King of the Worms!. Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Bobbit Worms in Aquariums and Reef Tanks

The most common manner in which a Bobbit Worm can be introduced to an aquarium or artificial environment is from live rock or coral colonies originating from the Indo-Pacific. There are numerous accounts of Bobbit Worms wreaking havoc at several public marine aquariums around the world as well as in the saltwater fish tanks of some hobbyists. The likelihood of getting a hitchhiking Bobbit Worm is extremely remote. These worms are most common in the 2 feet range so it would be spotted rather easily. While unlikely, it is possible to introduce a juvenile Bobbit Worm into a closed system via air-shipped live rock originating from the Indo-Pacific, such as Fiji live rock. It is more likely that other marine worms from the Genus Eunice are introduced, and incorrectly identified as a “Bobbit Worm”. The majority of all Eunice Worms are smaller in size and are not ambush predators like the Bobbit Worm, other species will lack the iconic scissor-like jaws and are harmless scavengers and detritivores.  For a list of other Eunice Worms please click on our article on Bristle Worms, Fireworms, and other Polychaete.