Hitch hiker identification

[thabo]

Good day all.

I've been silent for a while but have a question for the experts on here

I've obviously picked up a hitch hiker which is now proliferating throughout my tank.

These worm-like creatures are usually about 3/8" long and about 1/50" in diameter but some are growing quite a bit larger.
They are a pale white, and feel like overcooked spaghetti.

I assume they are a type of sponge.
Can anyone help?

 

[DDenny]

Can you get a picture under white lights?

 

[thabo]

Can you get a picture under white lights?

Actually had tried to add these photos to my original post and thought they're uploaded... Guess they didn't

 

[DDenny]

I have those as well and I believe they are a type of tunicate.

 

[Peair]

I have those as well and I believe they are a type of tunicate.

Good day all.

I've been silent for a while but have a question for the experts on here

I've obviously picked up a hitch hiker which is now proliferating throughout my tank.

These worm-like creatures are usually about 3/8" long and about 1/50" in diameter but some are growing quite a bit larger.
They are a pale white, and feel like overcooked spaghetti.

I assume they are a type of sponge.
Can anyone help?

I’ve seen those white worms allot years back, they come from dirty pet stores, most of them are harmless, very few are dangerous, they are more like a pest, get a good cleanup crew to clear it up, and groupers if your tank can handle them.

 

[DDenny]

I’ve seen those white worms allot years back, they come from dirty pet stores, most of them are harmless, very few are dangerous, they are more like a pest, get a good cleanup crew to clear it up, and groupers if your tank can handle them.

Mine are on gulf live rock and came with them on it so maybe not the same thing.

 

[Peair]

Mine are on gulf live rock and came with them on it so maybe not the same thing.

These are the three most common: Detritus, Rhabdocoela, and Planaria, I think you have one of them, they usually come on live rock, but can come on coral skeletons also.

 

[thabo]

Thanks.
My tank can only manage a small piece of grouper so that's not gonna work.
Are there shrimps or hermit crabs I should look out for that Would eat them?
If they are tunicates I assume they will help with water quality but too many of them will be unsightly

 

[Peair]

I think Banded boxer shrimp would be the best.