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 downAfter 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 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 insideGurutek 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.' 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.Try Stamped Concrete as a Low-Cost Alternative A stamped concrete patio gives you the look and texture of a stone patio for a lot less than the real thing -- up to 50 percent less than the cost of natural slate or limestone. Stamped concrete can mimic brick, cobblestones, cracked earth, and weathered wood. Add a bit of fun with leaf patterns, animal shapes, even dinosaur footprints. Best of all, a stamped concrete patio is low-maintenance: The "stones" won't settle over time, creating uneven surfaces, and there are no grout or joints that can open up to let grass and weeds sprout.
What's a Stamped Concrete Patio? A stamped concrete patio is simply a concrete slab with a textured, embossed surface. - Pours and smooths the slab. - Presses a pattern into the surface while the concrete is still wet and soft. - For realism, adds color to the concrete as it's mixed, or sprays it on after the surface has been stamped. Make sure you hire a contractor who's done stamping and has the examples to prove it. What's the Deal With the Stamps? The patterns are made using large, flexible polyurethane stamps. The stamps are about 2-by-2-feet square and an inch or two thick, and they're pressed into the wet concrete to create the textured finish. A concrete contractor may step on the stamps to press them into the concrete or use a tamping tool. Before putting the stamp on the concrete, the contractor sprays the patterned side of the stamp with a release agent that prevents concrete from sticking to it. Using a colored release agent accents cracks and grout lines, giving the finish an "antique" look that enhances realism.
One pattern usually is a set that includes several stamps, each one with varying textures and shapes, so the overall pattern isn't repeated too frequently. Stamps also have interlocking tabs so any grout lines align perfectly. A stamped concrete patio costs $10-$15 per square foot, professionally installed. Here's a quick price comparison: Plain concrete: $6-$12 per sq. ft. Brick: $14-$20 per sq. ft. Stone, slate, or marble: $17-$28 per sq. ft. Concrete pavers: $13-$20 per sq. ft.More: Love concrete (or at least its price)? We've got great ideas for concrete inside the home, too.Can I Do It Myself? Making a stamped concrete patio is a fairly simple process, but only skilled DIYers should attempt it. That's because concrete can be a tricky medium to work with: • It requires a properly installed base of compacted sand and gravel.you'll need to be strong. • Concrete requires specialty tools to shape and smooth the surface (any specialty tool performs best in the hands of an experienced worker who knows how to use it).
• Concrete sets up relatively quickly. Once it starts to harden, it's difficult to apply the stamps. • A mistake in concrete is permanent. You can rent concrete stamps at rental outlets and concrete supply stores for about $25 per day per stamp. Doing your own work saves 20 percent to 50 percent of the cost of a professionally installed slab and stamped concrete finish.Any Drawbacks to a Stamped Concrete Patio?Although stamped concrete is a good choice for ADA accessibility, be wary of deeply embossed patterns; all that texture may be tempting, but it creates uneven surfaces that make patio furniture wobble and may be hazardous for those with limited mobility. Accessibility guidelines require bumps and ridges on walking surfaces be no more than ¼-inch high.Although you'll have more color options with surface colorants, the colorants may flake off over time. Have your concrete dyed while it's being mixed for a more permanent solution.It's got a "tell." As good as stamped concrete may look, aficionados of real brick and stone will know the difference.
Can I Add a Stamped Finish to an Existing Patio Slab? Yes, you can, as long as your old slab is stable and in good condition. You'll be raising the height of the old slab by an inch or so, so you'll want to make sure the new level doesn't interfere with existing steps or vents in your foundation walls. The new concrete shouldn't touch your siding, either. A pro will prepare the existing slab by cleaning it and covering it with a bonding agent that ensures good adhesion between the old concrete and the new. Then, your contractor will cover the old slab with new concrete and apply the stamps.This article was originally published on HouseLogic.See more about patios on HouseLogic:DIY Paver Project: A Backyard Rescue in ActionEvaluate Your Yard for a PatioAwe-Inspiring Patios Made of StoneMore on AOL Real Estate: Find out how to calculate mortgage payments. Find homes for sale in your area. Find foreclosures in your area.Find homes for rent in your area.Follow us on Twitter at @AOLRealEstate or connect with AOL Real Estate on Facebook.
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