Hammer Coral Hitch-Hikers?

[Candles]

Hey Reefers,

Question, this Hammer Coral there is something growing on its stalk..

Being a new Reefer, Is this safe to let it stay there or should I remove it?

Thanks in advance!

See video link:
https://youtu.be/4nrPZ2b-U5Q

 

[hartin461]

Not an expert but I`d say anything boring into a coral stock is bad. I`m sure someone else will chime in..Good luck

 

[homer1475]

Vermetid snails.

Completely harmless to the coral itself, but can grow to plague proportions if not kept in check with proper nutrient export methods.

 

[JodiM]

Im not an expert by any means, but I was just reading up on coral hitchhikers and looks like a Vermetid to me.
But then again I could be completely off base here.
Good Luck!

 

[Candles]

I think you guys are right.. thanks for the quick answers!

I was looking at this website:
http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/vermetid.shtml

And I think it is a Vermetid Snail (Tube Snail)

Should I remove it?

 

[Candles]

Vermetid snails.

Completely harmless to the coral itself, but can grow to plague proportions if not kept in check with proper nutrient export methods.

So are you thinking that this can grow to be a monster? lol

 

[homer1475]

No they are about as big as they get, but they will explode in population if not kept in check. I had literally thousands of them in my biocube when I first started out. I then learned how to keep my nutrient export in check and they slowly died out.

 

[Candles]

No they are about as big as they get, but they will explode in population if not kept in check. I had literally thousands of them in my biocube when I first started out. I then learned how to keep my nutrient export in check and they slowly died out.

Gotcha,
Well being new to this hobby, i'm trying to be SUPER careful with my feeding habits so that I don't throw my nitrates and phosphates high. Been target feeding by the flake/shrimp so that my inhabitants only get what they are hungry for.

I think I will remove these from the stalk since I do not want them to get out of hand. Thankfully they came on the Hammer so they haven't spread (as far as I can tell)

 

[homer1475]

When removing them, make sure you scrape off the bottom part as the actual worm will hide in the bottom. If you only break off the tube, the worm will make a new one.

 

[Candles]

Thank you! I will give that a try
Appreciate all your help everyone

 

[AlSimmons]

Instead of trying to break them off you could just put a dab of super glue gel over the opening of the shell. This will seal it shut and cause the snail to die eventually.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

 

[Candles]

When removing them, make sure you scrape off the bottom part as the actual worm will hide in the bottom. If you only break off the tube, the worm will make a new one.

PS.

I like your signature Homer, its soo true.. Patience, Patience, Patience...

 

[Candles]

Instead of trying to break them off you could just put a dab of super glue gel over the opening of the shell. This will seal it shut and cause the snail to die eventually.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

Well thats a great idea as well!
hmm... will consider them both, don't want to traumatize my Hammer too much by having him out of the water for any length of time.

 

[AlSimmons]

If you do go the super glue route just know that this can be done under water. Just put a dab of glue on a popsicle stick or something and then apply it to the shell. Piece of cake.