Sringy substance off live rock

So... I noticed that our new frogspawn, which opens to about the size of both my fists, was almost completely closed up. When I got a little closer, I noticed these single hair-like, mucous-like strings that were coming off a piece of live rock and were touching the coral. I started doing some reading and saw that this is most likely some type of worm. Tonight when I went to go check on the tank, I noticed I could practically see the worm on the rock, and see the strings protruding from it into the water. Any idea of these are harmful? If so, how do I eradicate them most effectively?

Ugh...vermetid worms >.< They are certainly a PITA. They spit out webbing as a way to filter feed. You may notice that when you clean your tank and all that crud gets stuck in the webbing, the worm will slowly suck it back into its tube. Gross

When I've eradicated them in the past, I break off the tube the stick out of that protrudes off the rock (it's pretty easy to break off) and clog the hole with frag glue. Now, sometimes they'll just find a new hole to poke out of, but eventually, you'll get 'em.

If there's nothing special on that rock to you, and it's not a huge piece, you can also just take it out and boil it, or dry it out for like 24 hours. I'd try the break and glue method first, though, so you can keep the nice life and bacteria on your rock

So I take it that means that they are harmful to the corals?

Originally Posted by Mishikan

So I take it that means that they are harmful to the corals?

Well in my experience and opinion, yes. Their stringy webbing often covered my zoas to the point where it would prevent them from opening for a few days (depending on how long the worm left its web exposed, or how often it shot it out in the same spot). It just ended up being an inconvenience and a pain to have to wipe off the web from my corals every day. I would say they are a coral irritant more than they are a harm.

Awesome thanks for the help

I have two that are growing in and around a monti I have an it's doing fine. I just use my baster to blow off the strings every now and then. I don't think they really harm anything. I think they help to keep your tank clean!

Personally I like them. I have them all over the tank, but I'm kinda odd too

I like them in small quantity. If they aren't bothering anything, then I let them be. If they are irritating your coral though, I'd get rid of it.

I'm with Shawna too - those dang things are evil!! They always decided to live on my clams, and cause them to close up more than they should be with their stupid webs!! Zoas hate them too... they don't seem to bother LPS or SPS much tho

I also noticed that my SG was a bit low. Could that cause the corals to not open up fully? When I checked it today, it was at 1.024. I used to run it around 1.028, as I have heard that is more suitable for corals.

I try to run mine around 1.025-1.026 - I think 1.028 may be a bit high for corals and fish

Although, even at just 1.024, unless it was a fast change, I don't think would cause the spawn to close up - I still blame the dang snail!! lol and maybe the salinity

Well things have not improved. All the corals have been looking pretty sad. Mushrooms are about 1/2 the size they used to be, frogspawn only inflates about 1/4 of what it used to, and most recently our Kenya tree died. It laid slumped over on the rock for a few days. I tried moving the rock to see if it was bc of too much / little flow, but after a couple more days it hadn't moved. I finally manually moved it in the tank today and it was clearly dead. All the water parameters look good. 0-nirate, nitrite,ammonia. I am running a SG of about 1.027. Alkalinity is at 2.3 ish, and PH is 8.2 - 8.4. Any ideas??? No new additions to the tank except moving over the GSP an Dragonfish. I have been watching the GSP very closely and have never seen him nip at any of the corals. I have done several water changes... I am totally lost....

I had the same problem recently in my smaller tank. My hammer/frogspawn was only halfway opened, and my mushroom were looking less than stellar. My salinity was about 1.027 (just as yours). So, I checked my calcium levels and noticed they were a bit low. I did a 30% water change on the tank, lowering the salinity to 1.025, and I have been dosing the tank with calcium for the past 3 days. I have noticed a significant improvement in the coral since doing this. Maybe try lowering your salinity levels and seeing where your calcium levels are sitting?

Lower that salinity down to about 1.024. You can lower it quickly without harming anything. It's increasing salinity fast that kills things.

Also, check for those little white stars. When I have zoanthids closing up or something else acting strange I find those on them.

Here are some pictures of the dead Kenya Tree. It looks almost as the it was split up the trunk. I also included pictures of the other coral.

And, one last thought - have you dosed anything lately?? It could be a contaminant that doesn't show up on the test results (ie copper, iron, electricity leaking, etc)

Are you getting shocked when you put your hand in the tank?

Do you have corrosion on any of your equipment???

Really, it could be anything, but if things are dieing, it is more than just a stupid snail!!

A full 100% water change could break the cycle too, and bring everything back to normal (in time)

I would say try doing several 30 - 50% water changes over a few days, or smaller over more days. The goal is to replace 120% - 150% of the water in less then a week. Yes I know you can't replace more then 100% of the water, but since totally draining the tank is not an option you need to replace more.

Also you could take all the non-coral bearing rock and swish it in fresh salt water and put it back in the tank. That will knock off any junk there which may help.

And without a doubt replace any mechanical filtration and run new carbon.

Did you check your PO4??

Did you check your PO4??

Is that English?

have you dosed anything lately?? It could be a contaminant that doesn't show up on the test results (ie copper, iron, electricity leaking, etc). Are you getting shocked when you put your hand in the tank? Do you have corrosion on any of your equipment???

No, the only thing I add to the water is Marine Snow for the corals to eat. I will try to get to the LFS to get a copper test kit, as I do not have one currently. The only thing I have added to the sump was an elbow because the hose from my pump to my skimmer was severely kinked. I got it from Home Depot. The guy there recommended something called a "Shark Bite". I think it is Brass, but I told him it would be used in a saltwater tank. I'm not much on of a plumbing expert...

Thanks!

the easiest way to test for stray voltage is to inset the ground part of the probe into the electric outlet ground then the red probe in the water.

PO4 is phosphate. Could cause all the problems you are seeing.

I would not use the "shark bite" fittings. They may be considered "drinking water safe", but so is copper tubing.

Could the brass fitting be causing the problems?