What is this white stringy thing?

dragonboy

dragonboy

Active Member
I see this white stringy thing is attach to the rocks and it retracts on its own on to the rock. Its very light in color I see it few of them with its long strains just floating in the current as the other end is attach to the rock. Anyone have any idea what it is?
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Yep I have an idea, finger hydroids.
I don't have a pic right now but give me a sec
 
zanemoseley

zanemoseley

Active Member
There is a type of snail I think it is that has a tubelike shell permanently attached to the rock and secretes a thin mucus string that collects food that is brings back in.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Or Vermetid snail tubes look like this, they will cast mucus out that catch dibris floating in the water.
 
dragonboy

dragonboy

Active Member
I see no tubes but its thin mucus like string that retracts back to the rock and it like blob of mucus that moves around on the rock.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I'd call a few of them ok but if you have way to many they can wind up stinging things, they pack a punch when there in a bunch.
Oooh that sounded like real bad poetry, sorry.
 
alison

alison

Member
I have those snail tubes in a couple spots on my reef. I never knew until now what they were thanks thomas! I love 'em their cool. It was the first thing that I could find on my live rock back when I started 5 years ago. I thought it was going to turn into a feather duster back then. That first one just died about a month ago. That must be thier life span I guess. -ali
 
T

thomas712

Guest

Originally posted by Magic_Carp
how do i get rid of them?? i ahve them on my rocks, and i have alot!
There are many types of hydroids, and from my reading, sometimes the cure can be drastic, so we won't go there unless you want to boil your live rock.
Suffice to say that they are a product, sometimes, of poor water quality. Clean your skimmer if you have one and the pump for maximum efficancy, do some planned water changes without fail, do not over feed, polish your water with fresh carbon and a polyfilter if you can find one. Try to get your water quality the best you can.
I don't know everything about these critters, I did have them in my 55 for a long time and they were very prolific. This 55 had crushed coral and poor water quality which could explain why I had so many.
Thomas
 
T

thomas712

Guest
More than likely they were introduced by something you put in your tank, could have been a new coral, liverock, something...they are simply feeding off of excess nutrients.
Thomas
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top