Help what are these kritters!

[D&KSac]

I just noticed some interesting and with my luck harmful inhabitants of my tank. I'm sure someone knows what they are. Are they harmful? If so, how do i get rid of them?!

David

 

[Justin74]

Are you referring to the coiled up white things on the shells and skeleton? If so those are just feather dusters, completely harmless. In fact I'd bet as a collective they can be quite beneficial.


-Justin

 

[D&KSac]

Oh so there not harmful at all just kinda wierd to me how they just showed up. But there not harmful? Just want to make sure ive had some bad luck.

 

[lilleahseafreak]

i have tons of those, they even grew insidemy seaclone skimmers and inside the HOB filters, they grow ANYWHERE and i have never had a problem and i think they actually help with the water quality since they are filter feeders

 

[MandM]

Another possibility is Vermetid snails
They form a tube similar to a feather duster. Not a bad thing at all, but those buggers are sharp and you can get poked by them through latex or nitrile gloves. The little feather dusters that I get seem to always have tiny red "feathers" poking out, these sessile snails just send out a string of goo.
Enjoy the diversity.

 

[D&KSac]

Ok i'm glad to hear that. It always seems to be something. Just wanted to make sure they werent harmful.. On a side note as i was examining these little critters i noticed a little albino crab eating on some algae. Funny thing is i havent put any crabs in there cept a couple of hermits. Talk about Diversity!

 

[MrMikeB]

When you add rocks and corals, its amazing how much stuff is actually living on there and gets added to your tank. Some good and others bad, but always do a thorough check before dropping anything in. The last thing you want is flat worms or some wild coral eating nudibranch spawning like mad in your system.