tubes growing from rocks

[vader88]

At first glance you would assume these were feather duster tubes, but nothing ever comes out of them save a clear filament. What are these and how can I get rid of them ? They are everywhere and it's my guess why my button polyps won't open anymore.

I'll snap a picture tonight, but thought someone might know off hand what they are.

 

[Salamander]

Vermetid gastropods. Manual removal is best. Some super glue the tubes closed.

 

[vader88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12975952#post12975952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Salamander
Vermetid gastropods. Manual removal is best. Some super glue the tubes closed.

I managed to identify them before I read your response, but thanks. Manual removal will be near impossible, I would have to guess at these being in the hundreds.

From what I read they say this is from excess nutrients. I find this hard to believe since I use RODI water, a phosban reactor, feed lightly and pull good skimmate.

Things are frustrating.

 

[fishnut__2]

i have em

i have em

i have em, they dont cause me any problems...........

 

[Tswifty]

I have tons in my tank. They really aren't harmful. They can tick off corals if they spread their nets over them, so if I see that happen I just use needlenose pliers to crush the ones causing the problem.

Here's a thread I started a while back, when I finally decided to ask about them:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1406668

 

[ahullsb]

I had them for awhile too. They didn't do any harm to my corals, just my fingers when I would ***** myself by moving a rock or a powerhead, etc.

 

[ahullsb]

Did I miss something? What is wrong with stating that I've "pricked" myself? The edit suggests I said something inappropriate...

 

[Nano Chris]

I had these in my 90g they suck, i since than tore it down, now i have a RSM, this time i am checking all the corals and make sure there is none on them even though i believe they came on my lr.

 

[SleepyJ]

It sounds to me like either a spaghetti worm or a spionid. You may find a tube that looks like it's made of sand and one or two thin filament-like threads waving around. Either way, they are harmless:
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/

Vermetid snails have a maroon curly-cue shaped tube that lays flat against the rock. They release mucous nets that annoy the heck out of nearby corals. As someone suggested, superglue gel over the opening of the tube could work. I have smashed the shells with large tweezers with OK success.