Parasite identification

[nanoreefer14]

Hey RC. I was hoping if anybody can help identify a parasite for me. I just noticed it an hour ago and I have removed it from the tank. However, i would like to know what it is and if I should be worried about an infestation. Here is the picture. I apologize for the bad quality, this was taken with my iPhone and could not get it focused. It is only about the size of a quarter.

I always dip my corals before adding them to my tank, so I dont know where this little guy came from. The only new additions I have made in the past few days were the acans that I picked up from a friend last night. I drip acclimated them for 20 minutes, and used Reef Dip for the last 10 minutes. However he has somehow managed to find a way through. Does this look like a hazard to my reef? Or just another critter? If anybody has any information, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks -nanoreefer14

 

[rt67ghy]

It looks like an aiptasia to me. Sometimes they can stretch out like that and almost look like a skinny spider. I've killed some in my tank. Aiptasia are not affected by coral dips and, yes, you should be worried if it's an aiptasia because they can infest your tank and cause you worries down the road.

 

[nanoreefer14]

It looks like an aiptasia to me. Sometimes they can stretch out like that and almost look like a skinny spider. I've killed some in my tank. Aiptasia are not affected by coral dips and, yes, you should be worried if it's an aiptasia because they can infest your tank and cause you worries down the road.

Thanks for your reply. However it is not an anemone. Let me clarify. It has a body like a worm with the head of a leech. And it has like 20 tentacles. I thought it was just something like an aptasia, until i looked closer and it was scaling the glass wall of my tank fairly quickly. It moves like an octopus. I cant find anything like it on the web. Its definately not a common parasite. Any more ideas?

 

[FF337]

Looks like a spaghetti worm to me.

 

[nanoreefer14]

Looks like a spaghetti worm to me.

I just googled spaghetti worm. And yes that is exactly what it looks like! Thank you! Should i be worried about these guys?

 

[primetyme941]

No, they are cleaners. Only isuue I have with them is that that they multiple pretty quick and become an eye sore. They are all over my sandbed and live rock.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

No, they are cleaners. Only isuue I have with them is that that they multiple pretty quick and become an eye sore. They are all over my sandbed and live rock.

That typically happens if there is over abundance of food. Their population is regulated by the availability of food. Cut back on feeding and their population will decrease.

 

[primetyme941]

That typically happens if there is over abundance of food. Their population is regulated by the availability of food. Cut back on feeding and their population will decrease.

I've read that but the weird thing is I really don't overfeed. I feed once a day and only 2 pinches of meaty pellets and 2 pinches of algae pellets. My triggers and foxface catch almost all of them before they hit the sand and then pick what's left off the bottom. My LMB even cleans up what may hit the live rock. I don't know how to feed less without going to every other day. Not to mention my CUC.

 

[FF337]

I just googled spaghetti worm. And yes that is exactly what it looks like! Thank you! Should i be worried about these guys?

harmless Get rid of it if you don't like it.

 

[Betta132]

Spaghetti worms are good guys, they help clean up. I'd suggest leaving him unless you really hate him, and even then, you should probably just put it in a filter compartment or something.