Ok... Need ID... How bad is it?

[Tswifty]

I'm guessing these photos are going to bring about some bad news. But I've had a recent explosion of these in my tank, and have no idea what they are. Some type of tube worm?

So my questions are:

What they heck is it?

How bad are they?

Can they be killed?

 

[cmador]

Vermetid snails. They are more of a pest than a threat to your livestock. They spew a web that makes feeding a pita. I had some that came as hitchhikers but died off after a couple of months.

 

[smmscott]

Vermetid snails, I think that is how it is spelled. Here is a link all about them. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php
Most I have heard of epoxy or super glue over them. Some crabs I am not sure which ones do enjoy them. Now that you know what they are you can narrow your search.

 

[Kreeger1]

There also a sign that things are going good in your tank IMO.

 

[Murphs205]

i can count dozens at any given time in my tank . They dont seem to be problem for me at all ,, i also have hermit crabs that keep them from going wild ,,, and they will get into your plumbing sometime, so you have to keep a eye on your stuff ,,, should be taking pumps apart now and then anyway for cleaning and the proper flow rate.

they are a trip to watch them eat ,,, looks like they are fishing

 

[adamwarlock13]

Have had them in my tank for years with no problems, fascinating creatures to watch when they eat. I agree with Kreeger1, good sign that you have a healthy tank

 

[crsswift70]

i have them all over. the only ones i care about are the ones growing on the drains. the ones on the rock i just leave alone.

 

[sohal1025]

Yeah my hermits have taken care of mine also,,,, have not seen them since!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tswifty]

Thanks guys. I'll prob just try and trim the ones that are near the corals and leave the rest alone.

 

[jmicky41]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12696673#post12696673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sohal1025
Yeah my hermits have taken care of mine also,,,, have not seen them since!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What kind of hermits do you have?

 

[ReefWidowed]

Actually those kind of look like hydroids, hard to tell from the picture though

 

[markviiisvt4]

i second that, hydroids

 

[Tswifty]

Here's a better picture from a rock in my QT tank:

 

[Tswifty]

Here's an article:

http://www.hopsreef.com/vermetidinfo.html

 

[Tswifty]

Here are some more pictures:

[/B][/QUOTE]

 

[markviiisvt4]

ok not hydroids lol

 

[itZme]

Definitely vermetid snails. I have some and they get kind of ugly when they are all stretched out and feeding. It looks like strands of spider web going across the corals. I usually try to break them off when they are bothering corals and then stick a tiny screwdriver inside to crush the rest. They tend to come back anyway. I guess if you don't mind having white spots everywhere you could epoxy over them but I would rather see marine life than a bunch of epoxy in my tanks.

Here's a good article by Dr. Shimek about them.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

Good Luck!
-- Kevin