tube worms on LR.... HELP!

iglowce · 01-04-2007, 10:31 PM

i got these tiny whitetish worms comingout of tiny tubes on LR.. .they look like tentacles. please help ID what they are... and if they are harmful to my corals. thanx

TJcop · 01-04-2007, 11:02 PM

They are nothing to worry about. They are actually a type of snail (from what I remember). They usually build a "shell" out of mucus and small pieces of sand/shell that they collect.

***Rob*** · 01-05-2007, 01:53 AM

not snails, but just small feather dusters probably...

but yes, likely nothing to worry about

**CarmieJo** · 01-05-2007, 02:00 AM

The vermetid snails put out a little "fishing line" of a mucous and then pull it back in to feed. The feather dusters have a little crown of tentacles that they pull back into their tube in a flash if you startle them. I have both in my tank.

***Rob*** · 01-05-2007, 02:15 AM

ah, yes good point, i guess a picture might be in order to nail this one down..

iglowce · 01-05-2007, 06:59 PM

can someone post a pix of vermetid snail please

***Rob*** · 01-08-2007, 05:49 PM

here ya go..

Snails That Worm Their Way Into Tanks by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com
SWSnailFAQ5
Worms that ain't... by Ron Shimek August 1997 Aquarium.Net

iglowce · 01-09-2007, 02:19 AM

thanx for the link.. they dont seem to be that bad after all...