NoChikenStrips Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Recently noticed these things spreading. They are 1/2 inch long tubes with 1 polyp/feather per tube that would retract into the base of the tubes or live rock when aggrivated. Polyps/feathers glow under actinics. I've removed 2 small colonies(thumb nail sized) and left this one alone. The tubes feel like roots and where not as easy to remove as i thought i'd be. Does anyone one have a clue what this is? Maybe in the tubeworm family? Link to comment
Matt'sMax Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Yep! They're just a harmless feather duster colony (That doesn't usually get to much bigger than what we see in the picture). There is no need to pull them out! They won't harm anything, barely take up any space, and aren't like ugly and super noticeable. I'd just leave em. Link to comment
jkaese Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Recently noticed these things spreading. They are 1/2 inch long tubes with 1 polyp/feather per tube that would retract into the base of the tubes or live rock when aggrivated. Polyps/feathers glow under actinics. I've removed 2 small colonies(thumb nail sized) and left this one alone. The tubes feel like roots and where not as easy to remove as i thought i'd be. Does anyone one have a clue what this is? Maybe in the tubeworm family? [/quot Looks like feather dusters looks cool Link to comment
knives2886 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 they look neat, haha id leave them there since you now have them in a controlled area and down to 1 colony. Link to comment
brandon429 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 sabellidae their larvae being suspended in the water as they spread among the tank is the best sps food there is. Link to comment
lakshwadeep Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 They are colonial hydroids. The easiest way to distinguish them from feather duster worms is to see if the tubes are very flexible (most feather dusters have calcified tubes). Notice also that they have tentacles, not branched "feathers". Glowing (fluorescence, in this case) is also a feature for some colonial hydroids. Link to comment
joshnanoreef Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I agree with lakshwadeep. I have them too. Link to comment
jeffblly Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I have some and they are impossible for me to get rid of. They irritate all the coral around them. Link to comment
NoChikenStrips Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 Thanks everyone for the fast respond. I knew they couldn't be feather dusters. Now that i know what they are, time to rid them. Some will say leave them as they will not harm or bother anything. I think prevention is better then having to deal with them in the future incase they become invasive. Link to comment
Builder Anthony Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 These things are comon in reef tanks. Link to comment
geyser Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 I have a bunch of these things in my tank and they have been spreading fast. Is there any way to get rid of them? I have tried picking them out and even scrubbing them with no luck. Link to comment
lakshwadeep Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 You could try aiptasia removal methods like different chemicals or, more drastic, using a flame/torch to burn them. Link to comment
geyser Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Cool, thanks lakshwadeep, I think I will try your last suggestion Link to comment
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