The attack of the unknowns. . . .

[FireViper]

My daughter spotted these creatures just recently, and was dismayed that one appeared to have engulfed a baby hitchhiking tube worm.

Pic one is a candy cane, with a pink slime like stuff on one of the branches (middle left). According to my 12 year old, it's where one of the reddish tube worms once habitated. Any thoughts? Some sort of sponge, perhaps? Any thoughts on the reddish tube worm. Pretty cool, though we don't want the invader to gobble up the remaining tube worm.

Pic two is the shady underside of a live rock, with one large (bottom center) and two small white blobs (towards the top). The large looks to have several "mouths", though the photo isn't all that clear. The single blob above it is pretty clear. Friend or foe?

As always, thanks for the help!

Heather and Steve

 

[mcgyvr]

Sponge (pink)... sponge (large)... pineapple sponges (two blobs)
All harmless/beneficial..

 

[homer1475]

As mcgyver said, all sponges.

 

[FireViper]

Thanks. My daughter is convinced the pink one took over the spot where one of the tiny feather dusters was. Any chance of that?

The sponges are a pretty interesting addition to the tank.

 

[mcgyvr]

. Any chance of that?

Yes.. Thats somewhat possible.. At times sponges can be a bit invasive..
Rarely a real problem though..
Can't really see them taking over a tubeworm but rather growing around it.. possible though..

 

[Orsamax]

Also, I believe that tube worms can leave their tube and find a new home (if they could get out wherever the sponge may have trapped them) and begin to build a new tube. I'd look for it to pop up somewhere else. I've had small tube worms really begin to grow all over my rock, they must multiply rather easily.