Strange thin white things that come out at night!!

[salt newbie01]

This may be nothing but I wanted to make sure. After my main lights go off and the moon lights come on, these thin white string like things come out of the rock. They seem to be attached to the rock, as their location does not seem to change. They move around with the current as if they are not capable of movement themselves. They are from 1/4 to 1 inch or so in length. There seems to be only one tentacle - not several tentacles like with spaghetti worms. I would assume they are some type of worm that gets small particles of food from the water column. I wasn't sure if they would sting corals or if they would bother the mandarin I just got, as he cruised around over the rocks looking for pods. Has anyone seen these things in their tank? Should I do anything about them or just leave them be? Could they be harmful to other fish or corals?

Thanks for any help

 

[TimTen]

That sounds almost like the Digitod Hydroid that I first saw in my tank. Can you take a picture of it.

 

[TimTen]

Look in the newbie forum for Melev post on identification. If its a Hydroid cover it with Kalk paste, don't let them spread. They will sting your fish. Have not noticed it harming corals yet but I'm watching them every night. I just covered 2 of mine with paste last night.

 

[salt newbie01]

Yes that is what I have - digitate hydroid. You cover them with kalk paste? Does that kill them? Any other methods of control??

Thanks timten

 

[TimTen]

I am new to them also, I tried the paste last night and it seemed to work. I will keep an eye on them. I heard that keyhole limpets eat hydroids but not sure on what type of hydroids. I have a LFS that is trying to get me a few on friday so I could try them out. I will let everyone know. Also I ordered some Medication that will kill them but will probly kill some corals. That would be a last resort. My addvice is that you cover the ones you see ASAP. Every night I see more and more, I just wish when I saw it 4 weeks ago I covered it with paste, then asked questions.

 

[salt newbie01]

What are you using for kalk paste? What is your receipe??

 

[TimTen]

I just used Kent Marine Kalkwasser Mix. I put some powder in a bowl and add a little tank water till it was a think paste then I used covered the hole he was in. I looked tonight and didnt see him. I hope I get some time tonight to try and kill a few more of them.

 

[Jacksonbriggs]

Are these also known as spaghetti worms. I have them all over my tank. They build some type of cocoons out of the sand and wrap themselves on my rocks and glass. Are these the same things and if so are they bad for the tank as well?

 

[tetra-tag]

Jacksonbriggs: The animals which build cocoons out of the substrate material are either Chaetopterid or Spionid worms, according to Melev's ID site. They are considered beneficial detrivores so I'd keep them if it were my tank.
http://www.melevsreef.com/id/crawls.html
(Chaetopterid/Spionid row two middle picture, Digitate Hydroid row two, far right.)

 

[Jacksonbriggs]

thanks for the info. They haven't harmed anything so far so I'm going to leave them be for the time being.