[FishKid]

I saw what looked like a worm (thats what i thought it was before) but no after closer observation, I doubt that it is a worm. It is about 5 inches long (what I see, I havent seen its full body) it is off-white to clear, and at most 1 mm thick. it never leaves its hole, which is made out of crushed shells, and rubble rock, that is placed in the gap between two rocks. Is this a Hydriod? on closer observation, there is a second "creature" only about 2" but coming out of the same hole. if it is a hydriod how do i get rid of it??

mark

[icemark]

Thought generally most Hydroids swim or float and do not stay in one place.

Gotta picture?

[AquaSeahorse]

Not true - hydroids produce stalks which are stationairy in one place, on the rocks, substarte, etc. They produce a medusa stage of hyrdriod which is a jellfysih sorta creature. I am pretty sute this is how it works but am not 100% positive. Some pictures of hydroids can be found at http://www.rshimek.com/odd_critters.htm They shouldnt be that much of a problem in reef tanks, however they are VERY bad in dwarf seahorse aquariums.

[icemark]

Ah the Medusa stage must be what I was thinking of

[FishKid]

After seeing Doc Rons site, I guess it isnt a hydroid. It is an active worm that doesnt seem to leave its hole, it feels the surface of the rock around its holw, constantly, and has no polyps of any sort. It kinda looks like a white octopus leg with no suction cups...

mark

[hcp28]

Actually hydroids have the ability for movement in a kind of summersault motion. They grab the ground with their heads and release their stalks and kind of flip over, this goes on till they get to wherever they need to go. From my experience with hydroids, if there is one there are many, you will usually find them on your glass kind of inching along. I really don't think you have hydroids, seeing that I've never heard of them getting to 5", however it may be the clear type of apitsia or it may be a feather duster. It could be anything, but my guess is it's not hydroids. If it is hydroids though I know a good solution to the problem.

Henry

[FishKid]

I dont think it is aiptasia (although that is a possibility!!!) because I only see 2 tentacles, and... ah who am I kidding? I bet that is aiptasia. I cant get rid of that garbage!!!

[srgtkoons]

fishkid dont worry, they are harmless and a good addition to your sandbed. I have them all over the place and find it fascinating to watch them build their tubes. I always called them spaghetti worms, somthing akin to what ipsf sells as mama mia worms, i think this are a different color then what ipsf markets.

[organicreefer]

fishkid they are spionid worms,and srgtkoons is correct they are very similar to terrbellids.