Help me please...Critters on the Sidewalls

[tranbri]

Hello. I have a 50 gal fish only aquarium that is about a year old; 2 damsels that are the same age and a maroon clown that i got around July. I have recently noticed small hard white spots around the glass and in the filter system. I don't know if it is ich, as the fish look fine. There has also started som red algea i think, (its stringy and on top of the rock)if you have any info for me it would be greatly appreciated.

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

I moved your post out of the Fish Disease Forum into the Reef Forum because the things you see are not Marine Ich nor any fish disease (you'll be happy to know, I'm sure). They are more likely a pod or tiny crustacean of some sort that someone here in the Reef Forum may help you identify. Sometimes, if you have a herd of snails, it could even be baby snails.

[Ninong]

Hi tranbri,




First off, the "hard white spots" are NOT ich. Can you please describe them in a little more detail? "Hard white spots" doesn't really say much.

What size are they? Are they spiral shaped?

[tranbri]

Hello, so after the second post i went back to the aquarium to look and it is tiny spots about the size of a pinhead and they seam to be tiny 'worms' spiraled into a circle on the glass. I have them in my canister filter too. would you know how to get rid of them? I dont have a 'cleanup crew' yet; am thinking of getting something.... not sure what yet. Thanks so much for any advice!! Tracy

[Ninong]

...they seem to be tiny 'worms' spiraled into a circle...

That's exactly what they are -- tiny worms spiraled into a circle. They live in spiral-shaped calcareous shells. These polychaetes are in the Family Aberrantidae (sometimes incorrectly called Spirorbidae on the boards but that's an invalid junior synonym).

They're completely harmless but they do sort of get in the way, so you can always just scrape them off with a clean razor blade (carefully) or any of the available hobby scraper tools.

[tranbri]

Can I ask one more quick question?.. Is it a good sign that my tank is healthy or am I lacking on something?? Thanks SOOOO much!

[Ninong]

Hmmm... It's not really a sign at all. It's just life, that's all. It's not good, it's not bad, it's just there.

[tranbri]

Thank You!!