Hammer coral weird growth

Vdlibrtr · May 4, 2021

Hey all, i have a hammer coral thats been in my tank for a while, it did really well the first week or so, but after that its always been slightly retracted (or more) it doesn't seem like it's dying or anything, but it has these branch like protrusions coming from its base, one is pretty close to the polyps and im wondering if it could be irritating it. Any ideas what these growths are?

Also probably worth noting this guy came with a few hydroids attached near the frag plug and a bunch of algae from a store I wont be going to anymore.

gentlefish · May 4, 2021

I think you refer to vermetid snails, tube worms that build these calcified tunnels and throw out tentacles to capture food. They can irritate corals and are unwanted. Supergluing the hole, or crushing them seems to be common. I have them, did not cause too much upset in my system.

mdb_talon · May 4, 2021

I cant see them in picture, but from description you gave i would agree with gentlefish as a possible cause.

Vdlibrtr · May 4, 2021

gentlefish said:
I think you refer to vermetid snails, tube worms that build these calcified tunnels and throw out tentacles to capture food. They can irritate corals and are unwanted. Supergluing the hole, or crushing them seems to be common. I have them, did not cause too much upset in my system.

Yeah, I have never seen any sort of tentacles ever come out of them, but its definitely a tunnel like protrusion. It definitely wouldn't hurt the coral if I crush it and it's not a vermitid snail?