White growths on LR       4/14/15 Hey Bob, I just finished cycling my 55g QT with LR. After almost 2 weeks all readings are at 0. My wife noticed these little white fuzzy things growing all over the rock. It kind of resembles lymph in some spots. What do you think, worms? sponges? Is this normal? <Small tubiculous worms; likely Serpulids> Thanks, -Jay

Critter id please      7/18/14 I just bought my first reef tank off of a friend whose wife wanted it gone. Every day things keep popping up in there and most I can find but these are throwing me for a loop. This is in a 65 gallon tank. think this one is a feather duster but not sure as its under a ledge of rock and is about the size of a stickpin head ​[image: Inline image 1] <The one with the duster head and obvious radioles is such> This one I shared with a group and they told me it was a sea apple but after looking at sea apple images and such it looks nothing like it and a guy today who looked at it said it might be a bivalve. now I have noticed 2 of them on opposite ends of the tank. I appreciate any information that you can give me these. Thank you Misty Hodges <The other white bit is likely a sponge. Bob Fenner>

snails, crabs and HITCH HIKERS!     1/31/14 Hi Crew! <Pam> I just ordered a ton of snails and crabs to help with the sifting of my deep sand bed, as it has formed a crust,  and when I siphoned it during a water change, the smell was WORSE that my skimmer! That's bad! <Heee!> I'm hoping this is "the ticket" to a healthier dsb! <Yes; do read our/my input re DSB maint.... Includes periodic (weekly) stirring, vacuuming of at least part/half> I've attached a picture and I know it's a bit blurry, but there's a little hitch hiker on one of the Turbo snails. It's amber in color and about a half inch in size. Would this be a feather duster? It's very sweet :) <Ah yes; and yes> Thanks for the help/ advice as always! Pam <Only state what I might do given similar (stated) circumstances. BobF>

Re: Hitchhiker ID       12/11/12 Lynn... what is this? B <I think I might just know!  If I'm right, it's a species in the genus Lygdamis (family Sabellaridae). Check out the photo at this link for comparison: http://www.kudalaut.eu/en/dph/3705/Photos-Sale/Sabellid-worm .   I'll go ahead and send a reply to Alex asap.  Take care, Lynn <Yes! I believe you're right. B> Hitchhiker ID:  Sabellarid, Lygdamis spp. – 12/12/12  Hi, <Hello Alex, Lynn here this evening.> I was wondering if y'all might be able to help me ID something. <Fire away.> Here is a picture: http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss28/awpong/WeirdHitchhikerID.jpg Here is a video: http://youtu.be/Xb1i9xWjoPo <I believe what you have is a neat little Sabellarid (family Sabellaridae) in the genus Lygdamis.> This hitchhiker has 2 tentacles that are about 1 cm each and are covered in hairs.  The entire creature lives inside of the sand-tube shown in the picture, and as seen in the video, it will retract when disturbed. <Yep, all of this is typical. The two, almost “horn-like”, appendages are covered with feeding tentacles and the tube is constructed of mucus and bits of sand/shell/debris.  Please see the following link for examples of the genus (series of 8 photos):   http://doris.ffessm.fr/photo_gde_taille_fiche2.asp?varpositionf=&varSQL=SELECT * FROM fiche_liste wherefiche_numero = 1233&varposition=1&varSQLphoto=SELECT * FROM vue_photos where photo_fiche = 1233 ORDERBY photo_ordre&fiche_numero=1233&origine=      The following link does a good job of describing anatomy, habitat, and behavior:  https://repositorio.uac.pt/bitstream/10400.3/142/1/pp37_42_Nishi_Nunez_17A.pdf  > I've never seen anything like this before, and I haven't been able to ID him. <I’ve never seen one of these show up as a hitchhiker, that's for sure!  It’s certainly a neat little creature and a nice addition to the biodiversity of your system.> He has been in my tank for about a year without spreading. This is just the first time I've been able to photograph him. He was originally attached to the rock base of one of my SPS, but he moved after I buried him in the sand. <Yep, they can build another tube elsewhere if the occasion calls for it.> The only way I can describe him is by making bunny ears with my index and forefinger. <Heheee!> Thanks in advance, <You’re very welcome.> Alex <Take care, Lynn Z>

Two ID's requested, please   6/28/12 Hi wonderful experts! <Tim>  I am always running into unexpected critters in my tanks. <Wonderful freebies, well most of the time...>  Usually "Reef Invertebrates" helps me to identify them, but these two have me stumped. <I'll see what I can do.> The first is a worm-like thing living in the midst of a small colony of star polyps. I apologize for the poor picture, but I tried like crazy, and this is the best I can do.  I'll try to describe it.  You can tell the size from context.  It is curled in a small spiral, an obviously soft worm encased in a hard tube (except for its head).  The color, not done justice in this photo, is a brilliant orange, almost Day-Glo.  It has two prominent, long, thin antennae.  It also has a short tube-like orifice that convulses rhythmically.  I am almost certain that it is pumping water in (or out) through the visible orifice on its head, and pumping it out (or in) via some other orifice whose location I cannot see.  Enough of the head extends from the end of the tube to allow it to continually 'look around' itself, almost as if it's searching for something, although I cannot see anything that looks like eyes. <Likely a worm from Family Serpulidae. Not a cause for concern, unless you are a copepod or bacteria.> I found the other when I removed a pump for cleaning.  I laid them on a 3x5 card so that you can see their size via the ruled lines on the card.  I have not seen them anywhere else in the tank, but there were many of them on and near the pump.  They are very soft-bodied, with no features such as antennae, eyes or mouth that I could see. <These are Syconoid sponges, commonly called Pineapple or Q-tip sponges. They are harmless filter feeders that live in low light/high flow areas. Check the inside of your skimmer and under rocks- you will find more.> Any thoughts on IDing these things would be appreciated.  Thanks! <Anytime> Tim <Jordan>

Snail or Conch? Likely Columbellid Snails and Spirorbids - 4/17/12  Hi Crew, <Hello Dave, Lynn here this evening.> We've had an explosion of births of some kind of snail or conch in both of our salt water tanks. It happened several weeks ago and the little critters are now about the size of elbow macaroni (sorry, I couldn't think of a better comparison!).  Anyway, I did quite a bit of reading here on WWM and have looked at quite a few photos but I'm still not convinced of what they might be.  I attached a photo showing two of them hanging out on some live rock together. They look like they have a proboscis. Their shells are growing as they grow. <The snails appear to be harmless/beneficial Columbellids (family Columbellidae), aka “Dove” snails that feed on film algae, possibly diatoms, and tend to be prolific breeders.  For more information, please see the following link:   http://wetwebmediaforum.com/showthread.php?336-Critter-of-the-Week-Columbellid-snails&highlight=columbellid > I guess the reason I'm worrying a little bit is because I've read that some species of conch are not good to keep with other invertebrates and are carnivorous.  We do have several Fighting Conch but they are very peaceful and spend most of their time below the sand bed.  Also, I'm not sure if it's related, but we've also seen an explosion of tiny white circular crusty adhesions, about the size of a pinhead, <No worries, those are tiny, harmless, filter-feeding, feather dusters called Spirorbids.>   …stuck to the glass and all of the structures. They are everywhere.  <This is typical, especially in new systems.  Eventually, the population will taper off to a more manageable level but in the meantime, you can remove any unwanted individuals from the glass with a scraper (an old credit card works well for this).> I included a photo of an artificial leaf from one of our tanks showing them. Are these egg packets or something?  Or is this some form of algae? <Nope, they’re Spirorbids.  If you take a close look, you can see the feathery feeding appendage on some of the individuals in your photo.  For more information/photos, please see the following links: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm  http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/spirorbis_spp.htm > Thanks, as always, for your help and insight. <You’re very welcome.> Things are going quite well in our tanks right now because of your past guidance.  <Thanks, that’s great to hear/read.> There is no better feeling than stable fish tanks. <That’s way up there on the list for sure!> DaveZ <Take care, Lynn Z>

Trying to identify if the attached pictures are worms/tunicates/or something else  3/12/10 Hello Crew, <Hello Chip> I hope you can help me identify my fisherman. <I'm going to try!> Well aged tank and live rock. I've had these guys in my tank since before I upgraded from a 30 to a 75. <Ok> They form what feel like calcareous tubes which protrude from the live rock. During feeding I see long mucous like strands coming from them catching bits and pieces and appear to slowly real them in. <This is a BIG clue> They sprout like crazy and hopefully won't hinder the movement of the anemones too much. <Doubtful, but why do you want your anemones to move? This is the worst thing they can do> I have attached two pics (best I could do with focus). <I see these.. not possible to identify from these alone..> Any hints would be helpful. <Ok, I'll give you one here... WORMS! Yes, I do believe that is what you have here, a beneficial life form indeed, enjoy the biodiversity and have a read on some of these: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/polychaetes.htm http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rs/index.php http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html> Thanks, <No worries> Chip (Arlington, Va) <Simon (Truro, Cornwall at the moment)><<Perhaps w/ coralline algae growing on the outside of the tubes. RMF>>

Re: Trying to identify if the attached pictures are worms/tunicates/or something else.  3/12/10 <Hello Chip> You may not have expected an answer, but here's one. <Ok...> I appreciate the fact that you are trying to help people with their problems and questions...but don't make them look like a jerk in the process. <I did not mean to Chip, at all. I have no idea of your level of expertise> See below. I know an anemone shouldn't move if it is healthy and in a good environment...perhaps you should have explained why it isn't good for an anemone to move or explain why it would move here. <There is plenty to be read on the subject: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm> Just an etiquette FYI. <Thank you for this, Simon><<"Chip" on his shoulder? B>>

I have a new "flowering" tube worm, can you help me identify?   3/6/10
Hello, I have searched the internet web and images trying to find something that resembles a new creature I just found in my saltwater tank. Recently one of my feather dusters lost its crown, and we were unable to even see where the leftover tube was, but then about a week later, I noticed when feeding that something moved quickly (the way the feather dusters go back in the tubes when touched) and I looked closer, and there was a hole, the same size as the tubes, in the algae near where the other feather duster was. There is <are> also 2 feather dusters close by that area, but when I sat and watched, this really dark brown thing started coming out of the hole, it was dark brownish red, and has a tip of cream color on the edges, but as it came out farther, about 1/4 in. if that, I resembles a rose blooming, and then as if using the petals to search the sand around the edges.
<Neat!>
I'm not sure if that's what the feather duster would look like if the crown fell off or not,
<Could be>
then I noticed it came out farther when I turned the light back on today, it was out about 1in. and the top part is the only part that resembles flower petals, the rest is worm like, with scales.
<Might be the worm itself... the crown... the Featherduster appearing part, is only part of the feeding apparatus>
Is this just my feather duster, or do I have something new growing in my tank. I cant find any pictures. l just want to make sure that its not something that is harmful. Thanks so much!
<I wouldn't be concerned here... Is likely the worm, regenerating its crown. Happens. Read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/featherbehfaqs.htm
Bob Fenner>

Polychaete question, that or tubiculous snail ID   1/02/10
Hey their Guys,
<Howsit?>
I know Polychaete questions and bristle worms can become annoying but I have scoured the internet for this one and cannot find anything close to it. Anyways The worm in the tank is white and has 4 antennae. Now this is rather normal but it gets better. It lives in some sort of calcium type white egg it is oval and about 1/4" in diameter. It is slightly opaque and I can see him inside of it during the day. It is really shy but it apparently like to collect stuff and put it around its egg house. Right now it collected red seaweed, a very tiny clam, and another piece of seaweed.
It comes out of the egg type deal for a few seconds and then backs up into it immidetly so a picture is rather hard to capture. Have you come across any worms or Polychaetes or bristles that live in a semi transparent opaque white circular egg thing?
<Mmm, yes... though this might also be a tubiculous snail...>
Any information would be great. Also it resembles a centipede and does not contain bristles on its body and has 4 antennae around its mouth area.
<Many Sedentariate Polychaetes appear smooth-sided... There are thousands of species... Do you have pix to send along? Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/HighInvertInd.htm
the second tray... FAQs on Worm ID's, further down on Polychaetes... Bob Fenner>

Re: Polychaete question 1/4/2010
Ok guys,
I have finally identified the questionable animal it is a Eunice norvegica.
<A neat animal>
If anyone describes a worm like creature that has no bristles,
<Mmm, actually, this species does have noto- and para-podia>
looks like a centipede, and builds cocoons out of bits and pieces of seaweed, clams, or corals it is most likely what I currently have living in my tank. They can also be rest assured that they are safe, excellent scavengers, and have a relationship with corals by taking sps corals and "gluing" them to their tube for protection.
Cheers, Jerry
<Thank you for sharing Jerry. Bob Fenner>

Distinguish Between Hydroids And Bispira Cluster Dusters 9/12/09
Hello,
<Hi Vivian>
First of all I would like to thank you for this wonderful resource. I have and continue to learn SO MUCH in this great (but addictive hobby).
<You are welcome my dear, glad you enjoy.>
In any case, I have been searching through all your pages, but I cannot resolve this issue. I have little beasts in my LR which, according to pictures from some web sites are described as beneficial Bispira fun worms . On the other hand, in some of your pages you do show pictures of hydroids that look awfully similar to photo 1 (see photo).
<What photo?>
Do you have any pointers on how to distinguish between hydroids and Bispira?
<Hydroids are any of numerous, usually colonial marine coelenterates having a polyp rather than a Medusoid form as the dominant stage of the life cycle. Hydroids have a simple cylindrical body with a mouth like opening surrounded by tentacles. Most species form colonies with individual hydroids branching off from a common hollow tube that is probably used for sharing ingested food.
Bispira are basically a tubeworm and/or feather duster where the "duster" is the crown of a worm that lives in a tube, and it is both a feeding apparatus and a breathing gill.
Hydroids do not have or retract into a tube. I nice pic of a smaller colony of Bispira for comparison can be seen here.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bispira_sp._(Tubeworm).jpg>
Thank you SO MUCH
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
best,
Vivian

Re Distinguish Between Hydroids And Bispira Cluster Dusters 9/13/09
Thank you SO much James.
<You're welcome.>
That is a beautiful picture! From the practical point of view, given that my Bispira or hydroids are so very tiny (I have to get a magnifier glass) that I can not really go through the description with the necessary detail, Do you think that then, an easy way to tell would be to touch the prospective crow/ tentacles to see if they retract?
<Do try, if they are dusters, the crown will retract instantly, revealing the tube..>
As an aside, I HAVE seen these tiny jellyfish kind of thingies beating around the tank ( I do not have a camera good enough to show, but they look like brown transparent umbrella shaped creatures of about
5mm.....I guess that would be consistent with hydroid medusas (no?).
<Can be, dusters/fanworms do not roam.>
all the best,
<And to you. James (Salty Dog)>
Vivian

Tube worm? 7/15/2009 Hi there, <We're as happy as can be...> As always, when in doubt, ask WWM! your website is truly a wealth of information. Here is my question. I recently examined my tank and noticed a bunch of brown 'anemone' like creatures growing on a small piece of live rock. <Mmm> Fearing the worst (Aiptasia) I took the rock out of the water and noticed that each of the 'flowers' (for lack of a better word) had retracted into individual semi-rigid, semi-transparent brown tubules that bend when pressed but snap into place when released. Am I dealing with a pest or is it something benign like tube worms? <The latter... Sedentariate Polychaetes make all sorts (or none) of tubes... some are chitinous, others of "sand", and some are rigid as yours here... No problemo> I've attached a picture for your reference. Your help is greatly appreciated. Regards, Luis. <Thank you for being part of it. Bob Fenner>

Re: Tube worm? - 7/16/09 Hi Bob, <Luis> Thanks for the speedy response! Just one more question to put this one to rest: someone who saw the pictures (same ones I sent on my first message) suggested they may be Hydrozoans. Any chance of that being the case? <About as close to none as we'll ever get> I will certainly defer to your expert opinion. Once again, your helpful insight is greatly appreciated. Regards, Luis. <And you, BobF>

Feather Duster? ...Yes, Yes it is.   6/7/09 Hi there! <Hi here!> Just a small question tonight, <Good, I'm tired and small questions suit me fine right now.> we are having trouble identifying our new feather duster on the rock. <Is a feather duster... on a rock.> We have tons of feather dusters on all of our rocks but this is completely different. <Does look unusual.> My husband and I are stumped by the bell shape at the end of it. Any ideas? <No actually, I'm not sure I'm understanding what I'm seeing, is it possible to get another shot? I mean photo... no more shots please, I've had enough!> Sherri Clark <Mich> "Take each day as it comes, live only for today and don't worry about what tomorrow will bring" <Yay! No need to worry about retirement!>

Plus... RMF

Aiptasia? Please Help 4/20/09 I am sending a picture, it is not very clear. Can anyone tell me what these things are, and what I can do to get rid of it. I was told Berghia Nudibranchs would help. <Not Aiptasia, picture a little blurry, but they appear to be fan worms, Bispira. I call them cluster dusters, and are safe, no need to get rid of them, desirable. James (Salty Dog)>

Hard white worms??  2/23/09 Hello, <Hi Heather, Mich here.> I had a question about identifying something I found in my filter of my saltwater tank recently. I have had my tank for about a year and it is doing just fine. I have a Picasso trigger fish and a flame angel fish as well as an algae "lawnmower" blenny. I was doing a water change and happened to notice some weird white things that looked like small worms. They don't move at all and when I touched one it was hard. I broke it open and there was something red inside of it. I also found a few of these things on a magnetic glass cleaner that I always keep in my tank. I didn't know what these are or if they are something I should be concerned about. Will they harm my fish or clog my canister filter? <They are tiny feather dusters, part of the family Serpulidae and are harmless, beneficial filter feeders. They will live happily in your filter, their tubes are calcareous but stay pretty small and usually attach pretty firmly. But you may have to remove a few depending on their location. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/feather.htm > I really appreciate the help!! <I'm happy to assist!> Thanks, Heather. <Welcome, Mich>

Hydroids? Maybe Not -- Possible Spirorbids? 1/21/09 <Hello there> I have these strange white spots that started on one side of my 125g reef tank and have started to spread across the whole tank, including the LR. I read on another forum that it very well may be hydroids. <Unfortunately, I can't see any individual well enough to determine exactly what you have. They could be the extremely common and harmless Spirorbids (filter feeders) or Hydrozoans. Take a close look at one with a magnifying glass. If it looks like a very small (no larger than a couple of mm) hard white spiral, then it's a Spirorbid. If it looks like a soft white blob with tentacles, then it's likely a Hydrozoan. Please see the following links for more information/photos: Spirorbid (see photo on the right at FAQ titled 'Oh Mich.... ID Spirorbis spp. and possibly Collonista spp. -- 09/29/07"): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailid12.htm Hydrozoan (see FAQ titled 'Help identifying 2 pics? 06/21/08'): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hyzoidf5.htm I have had coral, Zoas and mushrooms, for about 6 months. I have attached links to the photos. If it is hydroids, I have read that tear down and sterilization is the only way to eradicate them. Am I, and my coral, doomed? <Not necessarily! Let's first confirm exactly what you have and go from there!> http://s488.photobucket.com/albums/rr249/mantisman51/?action=view&current=hydroids003.jpg http://s488.photobucket.com/albums/rr249/mantisman51/?action=view&current=hydroids001.jpg <I'm hoping that you do indeed have Spirorbids instead of Hydrozoans, but if not, let me/us know. Take care, -Lynn>