Should I kill the worms on my Acropora?

[strike2867]

There are some white skeletal/centipede looking worms on one of my Acropora frags. There is ok polyp extension. I'd just like to know what they are and how worried I should be. I tried to get a picture, but it didn't come out as anything useful.

 

[shenyong]

Take it out and dip it if possible.
U dont want AEFW in you system period

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

they sound like bristle worms not flatworms

 

[strike2867]

they sound like bristle worms not flatworms

I have a lot of bristle worms in the tank actualy, and was actually thinking they might be some babies. I was kicking around getting a Melanurus Wrasse to take care of the problem.

 

[vegita51]

Bristle worms never bothered any of my sps and I have a ton of them. So I say keep them in.

 

[strike2867]

Bristle worms never bothered any of my sps and I have a ton of them. So I say keep them in.

I've been seeing this for over a month. The coral is growing, making me reluctant to medicate it. It is turning a combination of light blue and teal. But I'm still planning on that Melanurus. Does anybody have any experience with it and bristle worms, I have a ton, and Mandarin Goby food competition.

 

[buy_baff]

I have a nice yellow coris wrasse and he loves him some bristle worms!

 

[strike2867]

I have a nice yellow coris wrasse and he loves him some bristle worms!

I probably wouldn't have to feed him for at least the first week.

 

[whorulz1147]

Is it possible they are mini serpent star arms? Are they coming out of the rock near the base?

 

[strike2867]

Is it possible they are mini serpent star arms? Are they coming out of the rock near the base?

I have a ton of mini serpent stars, but I don't think this is them. Unless the serpent star's entire body is inside the Acropora. I'll take a closer look tonight to see if this is a possibility.

 

[divewsharks]

Is the worm in question for sure a bristleworm? I have seen some worms at the base of some of my corals at night (in the darkness) that are not bristleworms. They are closer to transparent, long as skinny with antennae.
I have not yet ID'd them, but from observation, they haven't harmed any coral, i think they are looking for other food.

 

[strike2867]

Is the worm in question for sure a bristleworm? I have seen some worms at the base of some of my corals at night (in the darkness) that are not bristleworms. They are closer to transparent, long as skinny with antennae.
I have not yet ID'd them, but from observation, they haven't harmed any coral, i think they are looking for other food.

The best way to describe it, I've tried many pictures, is a white letter T repeated over and over again. Getting a little thicker and slightly reddish at the top.

 

[reefsic]

If it is bristleworms, they shouldnt be a threat to SPS, but will eat a clam if you've got any or plan to add them to your display!

 

[strike2867]

If it is bristleworms, they shouldnt be a threat to SPS, but will eat a clam if you've got any or plan to add them to your display!

Hmm, I have one well growing Clam and ordered a Deresa. I also got the Melanurus Wrasse arriving on Thursday. Probably going into my quarantine tank first.

 

[divewsharks]

If it is bristleworms, they shouldnt be a threat to SPS, but will eat a clam if you've got any or plan to add them to your display!

They would only eat on the clam if it were dead/dying/decaying. I have 3 clams, 2 Crocea's and 1 large derasa and have had others: squamosa and maxima's. Never had a single issue with bristleworms, and i have alot of them of all sizes.

 

[strike2867]

If anyone is interested, I ordered 3 Dispar Anthias, 1 Melanurus Wrasse and 1 Tailspot Blenny. Because so many are arriving at once, I don't have enough space to quarantine them(my quarantine is 29 gallons with little live rock and a Maroon Clown), so I'm risking it and putting them all into the 90.

 

[old_mr2]

photo please...

 

[AcroJames]

I would try to take the coral out and dip it anyways better safe then sorry.

 

[LifeAquatic]

I know the worm you are talking about! Actually Im not even sure its a worm. I had them on a tabling acro. It was a wild caught piece. It came with them. Whatever it is builds a calcium shell/tunnel on the coral that resembles a worm. They dont really kill the coral directly but they block the tissue from getting light. Dipping the coral didnt do much. I actully used a toothpic to break the tubes off the coral. Anyone know what they are?

 

[jc-reef]

Could it be a Vermetid Snail?