wierd things in my rock

[J.R.L.]

i have a small live rock with some purple zoos on it and when i got it i noticed it had a few little "tentacles" coming out of the base of the zoos..i thought thse were some form of defense mechanism..but then i noticed they were all over the rock and coming from very small holes...the "tentacles" are 2-3 inches long and very thin...my zoos seem to be doing fine but i afraid they are inhibiting their growth because at time the tentacles are on or around the zoos..any idea what these are? there arent the type that picks up substrate and make little tunnles either....no digital camera sorry

 

[Agu]

Blow up some detritus in the water column. If they come out and start feeding they're tube worms. They're about as thick as a hair and almost invisible until they start catching food. If you look closely at the base you'll possibly, but not always, see the short calcerous tubes. During transport the tubes can get broken off. If so they shouldn't bother your zoanthids and they're part of the clean up crew.


If not I don't have a clue.

 

[nalbar]

There are many types of worms that live in LR. Hence the name, Live Rock.

The type you are discribing send out 'strings' that serve the purpose of fishing line. It's sticky and stuff floating in the water stick to it, and then the worm 'reels' in the line, and gets fed.

There is another type that sends out a 'line' like a tiny fish NET, and then reels that in. Mostly all this happens at night, and they 'reel in' their catch when the lights go on.

It's all part (some believe the main part) of what makes reef tanks so fascinating.


Enjoy the show! Not many people even know the show exists.



nalbar

 

[J.R.L.]

ok thanks for the input guys....from the looks of it they dont seem to be hurting the zoos but i wanted to make sure there was something obvious i was missing

 

[kingfisher62]

yeah , you will see them drag back bits of detrius. they are very beneficial and will help to keep your colonies clean of debris.

 

[nalbar]

I have several in my tank right now that are extended over 6 inches.



nalbar

 

[bohannbj]

Stars. Try smashing the open. Yuck

 

[Pufferpunk]

Spinoid worms.