Weird Worm Thing?

Eb0la11 · #1 02-03-2010, 04:09 AM

Ok after watching it for a while, it definitely casts its web or net our to the adjacent rock that is about 3-4 inches away and then collects debris in the water for 5 minutes or so and then reels the whole web back in. It then occasionally will shoot out a puff of "smoke" or sediment I suppose after eating the food.

Obviously the worm is a filter feeder but Im just interested in it. Anyone know what it is?

Carmen · #2 02-03-2010, 04:14 AM

Vermatid Snail.

Actually abit of a pest as it will cast it's web out across corals and such.

burrows14 · #3 02-03-2010, 04:17 AM

Ive notice this in my tank too! The web can get pretty big too! How do you rid this guy?

simplycoral · #4 02-03-2010, 04:27 AM

Use marine putty and plug the end. Once it goes hard the snail is stuck; unless it finds another way out; which hasn't happened yet!

Works for me.

burrows14 · #5 02-03-2010, 04:32 AM

Nice and simple! I like that

Cheers

Quote:

Originally Posted by simplycoral

Use marine putty and plug the end. Once it goes hard the snail is stuck; unless it finds another way out; which hasn't happened yet!

Works for me.

Eb0la11 · #6 02-03-2010, 04:32 AM

haha too bad! Hes pretty cool. Im gonna leave him for a bit until he causes problems since I like him. I dont have enough corals near him yet for him to be a problem.

lorenz0 · #7 02-03-2010, 05:26 AM

they get huge and start spreading. get rid of them asap, i had a battle with them under a sps colony last sumer

naesco · #8 02-03-2010, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eb0la11

haha too bad! Hes pretty cool. Im gonna leave him for a bit until he causes problems since I like him. I dont have enough corals near him yet for him to be a problem.

All you want to know about these guys by the expert on such things, Ron Shimek.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

Summary good guys unless they really spread. Hermit crabs eat them if that is the case.
The mucus on their threads does not harm corals but corals and other stuff feed on the mucus.

I agree with you. Leave them alone unless you see them multiplying too much and than get a hermit crab or two.

banditpowdercoat · #9 02-03-2010, 03:24 PM

So THATS what they are! I have alot of them. They cut my hands to shreds when Im handling the LR. Clog plumbing etc. Just a nusance really. I have 2 hermits, but never noticed them going for them? I'll have to look more often I guess.

justinl · #10 02-03-2010, 05:42 PM

I always think it's a shame when people over react to such cool invertebrates in their tank because intentional livestock (fish and corals) is only a third of the fun for me. Especially the relatively harmless ones; vermetids rarely cause any significant problems. a 2 inch vermetid is not something you see every day in captivity (the small 1/4 inch guys are far more common) and I'd be interested to see how it does. I think they're pretty cool.

... but on the other hand I find copepods fascinating, so I suppose I don't represent the majority of the population.