Hitchhiker ID: Filterfeeder edition

Vibrant Orange Zoanthids · Mar 9, 2019

I have spotted an interesting organism on a new batch of Zoanthids. I was admiring them after the light turned off and this guy poked out. He has a thin, white-orange tube attached to the rock and his little 'fan' is orange. It is sensitive to movement and will retract if anything gets near it. As you can tell by the picture quality, it is very small. Seems similar to a featherduster however the tube looks to be much harder. Clearly a filter feeder, but I don't want to take pest chances. I had a video but uploading it seemed to be too strenuous for my brick of a computer.

Crabs McJones · Mar 9, 2019

Description sure does sound like a tube worm or feather duster. Can you get a clearer picture?

Vibrant Orange Zoanthids · Mar 9, 2019

Crabs Mcjones said:
Description sure does sound like a tube worm or feather duster. Can you get a clearer picture?

I've been attempting too. The only way to clearly see it is with the flashlight from my phone. It usually shrinks away when it comes on and the phone cannot take pictures with the light on at the same time. When it shrinks the crown pulls together in a featherduster style.

CoralHut · Mar 10, 2019

I would bet feather duster if it has a crown on it and tends to "fan in" on itself when retracting. If you've ever seen the big "coco" worms their shell is very thick

Vibrant Orange Zoanthids · Mar 10, 2019

CoralHut said:
I would bet feather duster if it has a crown on it and tends to "fan in" on itself when retracting. If you've ever seen the big "coco" worms their shell is very thick

I doubt that it is a coco worm due to the looks of the fan, but at this point I believe it is a featherduster.