Tubeworms?

[longra]

Here's a pretty lousy picture of what I think may be tube worms, but could be hydroids as well. There are several patches of them in my tank and seem to fan out like a pom-pom. They don't pulse, tho. If anyone can point me in a direction so that I can research them I'd appreciate it. Thanks,

 

[Krudco]

hard to tell from this pic.
maybe aptasia or button polyps??
do they have a hard tube base? If so they could be tube worms.

 

[longra]

Thanks for the quick reply. The tubes are more firm than anything. Not really hard and calcerous - more like rigid plastic. When bothered the heads retreat like tube worms. These critters are VERY hardy and prolific.

 

[DJ88©]

[moved]

 

[Mdoug25]

Looks like aptasia.

 

[graveyardworm]

Cant really make out much of whats in your picture, it does appear to be colonial hydroids. Here's a couple pics to compare. The color may be different.

And here's a picture of my own

 

[longra]

That's them. Are they a problem? How does one rid the tank of them? Thanks,

 

[graveyardworm]

They arent really good, they have a powerful sting and can harm corals, and they reproduce fairly well. I have not taken steps to get rid of my own, but from what I've read kalk paste can kill them. Kalkwasser paste if you dont know is kalkwasser (calcium hydroxide) with just alittle water. Pickling lime can be substituted, and is available at many supermarkets. Caution with using either they are not good for you and can cause burns and breathing the dust is harmful so use caution, also if there are any corals localto the treatment they could be harmed. Just do alittle research first. I'm alittle unclear on how it needs to be applied whether it can be injected or if the rock needs to be removed first.

 

[gary faulkner]

longra,
Pepermint shrimp work great. Got mine from Live-aquria.
HTH

 

[graveyardworm]

Really peppermint shrimp will eat hydroids? I'll have to check that out. I do have a peppermint in another tank the only problem might be catching it.

 

[longra]

Gary, is it actually eating them? I've had luck with peppermints on aiptasia, but read reports that they won't touch the colony hydroids.

 

[gary faulkner]

David,
Sorry, thought they were aptaisa, thats what I had and peps worked great.

 

[longra]

Bummer. Thought I had an answer.

 

[kmk2307]

I agree that they are colonial hydroids. Do they seem to be expanding their territory? There are some that look similar to those in my tank that haven't grown / reproduced in years. FWIW, I did have a peppermint shrimp that didn't eat them.

Kevin

 

[longra]

Yep. They're definitely expanding.

rick

 

[akrimmel]

i believe you can inject them with lemon juice as well to kill them instantly.

 

[graveyardworm]

I tried kalk paste on a few colonies a couple days ago and it didnt work. It did take care of some aiptasia though.

 

[romunov]

These are very resilient animals. People have tried even torches, but it didn't work. Good luck. :bigeyes:

 

[longra]

Yep, I tried using a lighter on one of the small rocks. Lots of popping and crackling ... and stink. Well, they're back.