Tubes on LR...

[ATLg8tr]

Does anyone know what these are? The Tubes have gotten longer and grown in numbers. They seem to be harmless. If I look really closely in the tubes there seems to be something that is "fanning" water in and out of the tubes. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

Scott

[goodfortune]

I think it is some sort of sea sponge. I'd be interested in what others might think it is.

- Michael

[jdbassin]

My guess would be a sponge or possibly tunicates


jd

[ATLg8tr]

At first I thought it was some sort of Fanworm, but there has never been a crown (fans) sticking out, day or night. I can see some type of animals in a few of the tubes and they seem to be white in color and are "fanning" water in and out of the tubes.

[wildemon]

I have little worms that are in tubes that just have two long threads hanging out. They can manipulate the threads to grab and drag stuff in or throw out the trash. They are all under the bottom of the live rock. Of course there are also a few in similar tubes with various fans but still small.

[Jeremiah]

how long have you had your rock in that tank? I know that feather dusters will lose there feathers when they are stressed. It takes them a few weeks to grow them back. I have seen some other worms in my tank that can extend several inches out of their tubes to scavange for food. Those ones are white and black striped and seem to retract very quickly when you shine the light on them.

[goodfortune]

I have those same worms too. They seem particularly fond of living on the undersides of several of my zoo frags.

- Michael

Originally Posted by wildemon

I have little worms that are in tubes that just have two long threads hanging out. They can manipulate the threads to grab and drag stuff in or throw out the trash. They are all under the bottom of the live rock. Of course there are also a few in similar tubes with various fans but still small.

[ATLg8tr]

I have had the rock for maybe six months. They first started as a few tubes and then have grown in numbers. I have never seen a "feather" sticking out, day or night. I have even waited for the lights to go off, waited a few hours and still nothing. The tubes are growing on the underside of the rock, and like I said I can see a few of the animals in the tubes fanning but not sticking outside of the tube. I did a search on RC and it seems they are in the same family as Featherdusters worms, but dont have the crown and stay in the tubes, they are filter feeders and good for the tank and the develpment of the "reef". Thanks for the input, and if anyone knows for sure what they are please feel free to let me know.

[dfitzz]

see if this helps with ID


http://scilib.ucsd.edu/sio/nsf/fguide/annelida3.html

[ATLg8tr]

nope didnt see them on that site.

[jesspaul]

Those are sponges. I have several in my tank. They hitichhiked on some rock with some yellow polyps. THe ones I have are very blue in the light. I'll find a photo and post it.

[jesspaul]

http://www.arches.uga.edu/~jcrosswh/TankInverts.html

[ATLg8tr]

They look similar to the sponges, but I can see an animal in the tubes, not to mention they are on the underside of the rock. I am just guessing they are some sort of tube worm, and so far seem harmless.

[jesspaul]

Are they hard or soft? Tube worm tubes are hard. Some of my sponges are on the bottom of rocks and they look just like that. Pods will make a home in the sponge tube so that my be what your seeing moving around.