hitchiker I.d reqd

[b4rrett]

i have recently noticed a few hitchikers in my tank which has been up and running for about 4 months. can anyone hazzard a guess on what they are as i dont have pictures, but i will get some posted up tonight.
the 1st one is worrying me the most as some are on the stalks of my zoos although they dont seem to be bothering them at the minute. they are shaped like the lead bit on the tip of a pencil but white and has a hole on the end that looks like a mouth that is constantly open. ive just noticed about a dozen near the back of my tank on the glass and rock
2nd one is also as above but on a much larger scale about 2 cm long by 1cm wide and looks abit like cotton, its been attached to my large mexican turbo snail for months.
the last one is a grey colour which is less than a 1cm long which is has a almost transparent skin and 2 holes 1 on either side that opens and closes. its on my rock out of the light
thanks,
gareth

 

[earlybird]

The cotton and last one sound like a sponge to me but hard to tell without pictures. If it is a sponge it's a beneficial filter feeder.
As for the first one I'd like to say that they are pods but I dunno about the mouth that is constantly open.
Can you get pictures?

 

[perfectdark]

The first one sounds like a type of hard tube worm.. very common in reef tanks and harmless.
The second sounds like a fungus, algea or sponge also harmless but can multiply. If you can get to it you can pull it out.
Not sure about the last one though..
All of these are best guesses going by your description and IMO I wouldnt touch anything until you get a picture up here so we can ID it for sure.

 

[b4rrett]

Im hoping they are beneficial, only really noticed the 1st one last night and worried they are a parasite. i will get some pics uploaded one i finish work.
thanks for the quick replys.

 

[michaeltx]

pictures are almost a must your description leaves alot open to the imagination and can be almost anything.
IE number one the first thing that comes to my mind is chitons or key hole limpets by the description but perfect dark says tube worm to very different thoughts on it.
Mike