Picture-less ID

[skierguy]

I have recently noticed a number of small tube like organisms showing up in a number of spots in my tank. They are on some of my live rock and are starting to show up on a number of my turbo snails, some snails have up to three of these things on one shell. They look like the tube from a small feather duster only none have a feather coming out of the end. They are about the dia. of a pencil led, and unlike some of the tiny feather dusters I have, these tubes curl once or twice then go straight out. The tubes are two different colors in many cases, the top 1/3 is a deep purple and then it fades to a cream color. I have attached my best rendition for this time of night and will try and get a photo but they are so small and I only have a film camera so it won’t be easy. I hope this is enough.

 

[thomas712]

Look like these?

 

[skierguy]

Yes they do look like that. They are not thick yet, but at the rate tthey are spreading they will be soon. What are they, and more importantly are they harmfull, helpfull or indifferent?

 

[skierguy]

Thanks, I was begining to get concerned because I had not seen anything extend from the tube to filter.

 

[flydan]

Yup, sessile snails. If you take a turkey baster and blow debris off of your live rock you will notice long filaments coming out of those tubes which are sticky and collect debris out of the water. If you have a lot of them it looks almost like a spider web.
HTH,
Dan'l

 

[skierguy]

Thanks again everyone! I feel much better.