worms with silk?

Evil McToast · 08-14-2006, 01:50 PM

I bought some pink zoos a week ago, and they have little worms on them. it looks as though they have spider web string coming out of them that they let out. Are they eating my zoos? I always see them sticking their heads out over the top of the polyps. They are small and slender. Is this a serious problem?

Paintbug · 08-14-2006, 02:43 PM

what you have are called vermetid snails, for the most part they are harmless filter feeders, but that close to a coral sometimes will cause the coral to be irritated. the best way to remove them is with a pair of needle nose pliers, and just smash it. if you see them on the LR, they generally are not a problem but over time they will pop up everywhere and can be come an eye sore to look at

. heres some info
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

Evil McToast · 08-14-2006, 03:02 PM

thank you

Paintbug · 08-14-2006, 03:44 PM

no problem

. heres a pic of some i just took from my tank.

Evil McToast · 08-14-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintbug

no problem

. heres a pic of some i just took from my tank.

Weird. Mine are more narrow. I was thinking from the article that maybe they were a different type, but after watching them for several minutes, I think they really are worms.

They suck the silk trail back in after moving. They are very strange little things.

Paintbug · 08-14-2006, 06:25 PM

theres many types of these guys. these ones in my pic are only about 1/16" thick. when i feed the tank they spit out the webs, then feed on what they catch. unlike real snails, they dont move around, they attach to the rock and build a tube. i still dont know why they are called snails instead of worms

.

JY13131 · 08-17-2006, 12:33 PM

So HOW do you get rid of the little boogers?

jdbassin · 08-17-2006, 12:40 PM

They're harmless and beneficial why would you want to get rid of them???

jd

JY13131 · 08-17-2006, 12:53 PM

Sometimes I come home and look at my tank and it looks like a tarantula web exloded in there!

Paintbug · 08-17-2006, 03:37 PM

the only way i know of removal is to smash them with something. i just use my fingers. they are effective fiter feeders, but i agree ,they are not the most attracive thing in the front of the display. they will also irratate some corals. thats when i remove them. they are not bothering anything i just let them be.