Odd tube thing on my dendros

ultimatemj

ultimatemj

Active member
This is the 3rd day in a row I've found this tube thing on my dendros.

View attachment 2373

The polyp this tube/sack thing is on doesn't want to open, so I've been taking the coral out and scraping it off.

Normally they are open like this
View attachment 2374

I recently saw a Bristle worm for the first time in my tank. Wondering if this is related...and if it is a problem brewing!

Thanks


Tapa
 
Feather duster? hard to see. does it have feathery looking small things coming out at the end of the tube? they are usually harmless, but can be an eyesore when they take over your tank.
 
Sorry about poor pic.

It's not a feather duster, although I do have those!

This is .25x1.5" and is softer than a tube worm.

Reminds me a bit of a shed snake skin or an egg sack...


Tapa
 
Well, I think I know what I'm dealing with, but a bit more research to do.

View attachment 2392View attachment 2393View attachment 2394

Big worms are new to my tank. I think they came in on a Hawaiian feather duster that I couldn't figure out how to dip...and I didn't QT :(

This morning I saw a 3 to 4" bristle worm...that *might* be the kind that 'licks to death' stony corals :(

Hermodice carunculata

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php

I need to find out if all bristle worms leave 'saliva sacks' or if that is a tell tale sign of Hermodice.

If indeed a 'bad guy' this could be tricky...he's fast!




Tapa
 
Sure enough, it was back again this morning :(

<PLACEHOLDER FOR PICTURES>

It's empty like a used cocoon (reminds me a bit of a shed snake skin) but the polyp it is on doesn't want to open. I scrape it off every day and every night another one comes! Every time it is mostly in between polyps with 1/4" or so "in the polyp", which is what I think is keeping that polyp from opening.

Is something trying to eat my dendros?

Egg sack or saliva sack?
Infestation of some kind? Dip it?
Other?

-----
For some reason, I can't get the pic to load. The loader goes through the motions and then there is no thumbnail and no image inserted :(
In fact, all my uploaded pics are blank placeholders in the "manage attachments" screen.
 
Last edited:
Kind of fits the bill, but kind of not. The big worm I saw was not 'furry'. But the info I can find says their appearance is highly variable...and thy do eat coral.

If 'just a bristle worm' the n the polyp would have to of been already 'in trouble'...but that is doubtful :(


Tapa
 
Minor progress - no attack last night after the relocation.

Fed the dendro this morning and the damaged polyp acted like it wanted to open...but didn't. At least it's clearly still alive.


Tapa
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top