Creature ID - Feather duster on snail?

[chaserdogg01]

Hi all,

Was admiring my tank when I saw these pulsing critters on the back of one of my snails. See attached vid. Looks similar to a feather duster but looked slightly different than those I had seen. What do yall think it is?
View attachment 20251217_145720_482BEF77-6E44-4DB5-95B6-8EDC398AD5BE.mov

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all,

Was admiring my tank when I saw these pulsing critters on the back of one of my snails. See attached vid. Looks similar to a feather duster but looked slightly different than those I had seen. What do yall think it is?

I see small tubeworms which use their fan to capture food. As these can spread, you can scrub them off in a container of tank water with a firm toothbrush or leave if you desire them

 

[chaserdogg01]

Hi all,

Was admiring my tank when I saw these pulsing critters on the back of one of my snails. See attached vid. Looks similar to a feather duster but looked slightly different than those I had seen. What do yall think it is?

I see small tubeworms which use their fan to capture food. As these can spread, you can scrub them off in a container of tank water with a firm toothbrush or leave if you desire them

Thanks Vetteguy! Will they irritate any coral or fish or cause any harm besides cosmetic?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks Vetteguy! Will they irritate any coral or fish or cause any harm besides cosmetic?

They should not. Just steal food

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Hi all,

Was admiring my tank when I saw these pulsing critters on the back of one of my snails. See attached vid. Looks similar to a feather duster but looked slightly different than those I had seen. What do yall think it is?

Barnacles - harmless filter-feeders. Their cirri look similar to the feeding crown of feather dusters, but they feed by curling their cirri in a rake/closing fist-like motion.