Clear Sand-Tube Worms

[Siege]

Greetings!

So I am fairly new to salt water aquaria -- I kept a planted freshwater for a few years -- and things are going pretty well so far. A short time ago though I discovered a few new "guests" in my tank. They look to be small tendrils/worms encased in sand tubes, which based on a bit of quick googling might be spionid worms based on appearance alone. However, I'm not entirely sure, and if I need to introduce a predator/cut back on feeding or the like I'd as soon know now before this becomes a plague or somesuch, or if they're harmless. Or both, you know.

So, any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Hyde2406]

I have them too never been a problem

 

[ahiggins]

the tubes look to be old skeletons of worms or fans. the little tentacles you see coming out of the sand are most likely spaghetti worms (good guys). (or a bleached aiptasia-I cant make out a mouth lol)

 

[Siege]

Thanks for the help! I suppose my engineer's excavations might have something to do with part of that too...

Yeah, I stared at them for a while. Didn't see any mouths, just clear worms/tentacles. Glad to hear they are probably good guys!

 

[Rob Lion]

they are good guys and alive!, wait a few days, they will send strings out to taste substrate and drag it back to them, they will cover themselves in substrate again soon

 

[Cary Meredith]

yes, good guys in my opinion

 

[cloak]

This link might help.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/ (Figure 10.)

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Those are Chaetopterid or Spionid worms. They are usually not an issue, but if you have an overgrowth of them, they can cement your substrate.

 

[orm20]

Those are Chaetopterid or Spionid worms. They are usually not an issue, but if you have an overgrowth of them, they can cement your substrate.

how do i get rid of them they have taken over the sand in my tank

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

how do i get rid of them they have taken over the sand in my tank

You can't.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

how do i get rid of them they have taken over the sand in my tank

The community is in the process of trying to figure that out, but it's a work in progress at the moment:

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Coral Boring Spionid Worms- Anybody Killed them?

These turds have survived Bayer, Coral RX Pro, KCI, and Exodus dip. They apparently retract into their tubes, and back into the coral skeleton where they apparently are safe from the medications. Below I will post some pictures for reference. The first pic is mine, but the others are just...

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Safe Interceptor Dose | Coral Boring Spionid Worms.

Hello… I have been experimenting with different treatment options for Coral Boring Spionid Worms. I did not realize there was a worm that could tick me off more than Vermetid snails. When I finally kept the Vermetid’s out (100%), I’m so blessed to discover these little devils. Pic unknown...

www.reef2reef.com