Coral boring spionid worms on torch, how to get rid of them?

[LuckyBlowns]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum…

In October 2024 I got for 20 dollars aprox a hellfire torch, it was very cheap because it was not opening fully, the Store owner thought it was because a melanorus wrasse was picking at it, as well as other corals.

So I took it home with a splattered hammer from the same tank (the hammer was and still is completely healthy), a couple of weeks passed and I notice little hairs on the skeleton on the torch, so started to investigate but could not ID them, so no action was taken thinking they were harmless.
But yesterday I encountered a post in a facebook group were a Frogspawn had the same kind of hairs on the skeleton, went through the comment section and someone mentioned the name of “coral boring spionid worms”, so I looked for pics of them on Google and found out thats what is on my torch, I investigated more and found they stop coral growth and make them retract their polyps, and that is likely the cause why my torch has not openned fully since I bought It.

I don’t think is a parameter issue because everything else in the tank is doing OK (acros, hammers, montis, zoas, stylos, gonis, etc.)

I have only found that the only thing that kills them is an ivermectin dip, but the doses on internet are for acros, I haven’t been able to find a dose for torches, anyone has the quantity for such dose? Or what other methods can I use to get rid of them? I yesterday tried to scrape them of with a blade but they are still there today

 

[Magok]

Hello,
Use of Ivermectin is experimental and any dosing is comming from people trying and sharing the results.

With that beeing said you may find a similar case here,

What is this on my torch?

I recently noticed on my hg torch a bunch of tube like things growing out of the base. Further investigation I saw damage at the base. The damage could be from cleaning but I’m unsure. The tubes have feeding strands and look like they’ve bored into the base. Any idea on what this and how to treat?

www.reef2reef.com

Remember to rinse the coral very well and maybe in a container with GAC to remove as much medicine as possible before placing it back into your DT.

 

[LuckyBlowns]

Hello,
Use of Ivermectin is experimental and any dosing is comming from people trying and sharing the results.

With that beeing said you may find a similar case here,

What is this on my torch?

I recently noticed on my hg torch a bunch of tube like things growing out of the base. Further investigation I saw damage at the base. The damage could be from cleaning but I’m unsure. The tubes have feeding strands and look like they’ve bored into the base. Any idea on what this and how to treat?

www.reef2reef.com

Remember to rinse the coral very well and maybe in a container with GAC to remove as much medicine as possible before placing it back into your DT.

Thank you very much for your reply, you gave me what I need, thank you!

 

[SomeWobbles]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum…

In October 2024 I got for 20 dollars aprox a hellfire torch, it was very cheap because it was not opening fully, the Store owner thought it was because a melanorus wrasse was picking at it, as well as other corals.

So I took it home with a splattered hammer from the same tank (the hammer was and still is completely healthy), a couple of weeks passed and I notice little hairs on the skeleton on the torch, so started to investigate but could not ID them, so no action was taken thinking they were harmless.
But yesterday I encountered a post in a facebook group were a Frogspawn had the same kind of hairs on the skeleton, went through the comment section and someone mentioned the name of “coral boring spionid worms”, so I looked for pics of them on Google and found out thats what is on my torch, I investigated more and found they stop coral growth and make them retract their polyps, and that is likely the cause why my torch has not openned fully since I bought It.

I don’t think is a parameter issue because everything else in the tank is doing OK (acros, hammers, montis, zoas, stylos, gonis, etc.)

I have only found that the only thing that kills them is an ivermectin dip, but the doses on internet are for acros, I haven’t been able to find a dose for torches, anyone has the quantity for such dose? Or what other methods can I use to get rid of them? I yesterday tried to scrape them of with a blade but they are still there today

I have these aswell, on a torch, monti and stylo. Makes me want to restart the tank, as i will never feel comfortable selling anything out of it and passing them to someone else. I was waiting for a solution to come up but nothing anyone tries seems to work and too few people have this pest

 

[tetris rox]

Hi, this is my first post on this forum…

In October 2024 I got for 20 dollars aprox a hellfire torch, it was very cheap because it was not opening fully, the Store owner thought it was because a melanorus wrasse was picking at it, as well as other corals.

So I took it home with a splattered hammer from the same tank (the hammer was and still is completely healthy), a couple of weeks passed and I notice little hairs on the skeleton on the torch, so started to investigate but could not ID them, so no action was taken thinking they were harmless.
But yesterday I encountered a post in a facebook group were a Frogspawn had the same kind of hairs on the skeleton, went through the comment section and someone mentioned the name of “coral boring spionid worms”, so I looked for pics of them on Google and found out thats what is on my torch, I investigated more and found they stop coral growth and make them retract their polyps, and that is likely the cause why my torch has not openned fully since I bought It.

I don’t think is a parameter issue because everything else in the tank is doing OK (acros, hammers, montis, zoas, stylos, gonis, etc.)

I have only found that the only thing that kills them is an ivermectin dip, but the doses on internet are for acros, I haven’t been able to find a dose for torches, anyone has the quantity for such dose? Or what other methods can I use to get rid of them? I yesterday tried to scrape them of with a blade but they are still there today

Hi, sorry you are having this problem, I found this in a similar post...

These are spinoid worms and use the threads known as palps to capture food. While harmless can multiply and are not cuc but pests especially around nearby coral. Cover tube opening with coral putty or break off with needle nose pliers at the base of each one

I've also read how some people cover the area with super glue

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi, sorry you are having this problem, I found this in a similar post...

I've also read how some people cover the area with super glue

Gel super glue should work also

 

[LuckyBlowns]

Thanks to all of you for your tips, recently I have the 1% ivermectin dip for a bit more than an hour, now there are no visible worms, in adition to the dose recomended by Magok, at about the 45 min of the dip I applied a bit more ivermectin with a syringe right were the worms were, now there are no visible worms on the torch!!!

Hope this helps other people, I will keep you updated