Spirorbid Worms

[AydenLincoln]

How long does it take spirorbid worms to die out of water? Does dipping them in coral dip kill them? I got some hermit crab shells from the fish store and I noticed some of them had spirorbid worms on it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

How long does it take spirorbid worms to die out of water? Does dipping them in coral dip kill them? I got some hermit crab shells from the fish store and I noticed some of them had spirorbid worms on it.

anywhere from 1-3 months. They will eventually starve. They prefer a nutrient-rich environment, where they can breed at a high rate. While they are harmless in a reef tank, though they can be a bit unsightly clinging on the glass and looking like dirt or infestation. leopard wrasses are known to eat them

 

[AydenLincoln]

anywhere from 1-3 months. They will eventually starve

1-3 MONTHS!!!! OMG!!!

 

[vetteguy53081]

1-3 MONTHS!!!! OMG!!!

See additional comment above

 

[EricR]

OP was asking how long they could live (on dry shells) out of water.
Vetteguy wasn't saying they could live 1-3 months out of water,,, just overlooked that piece of the question (I assume).

...but I don't have an educated answer

EDIT -- maybe clarify:
Did you buy empty shells (no hermits inside) out of a tank and now you want to dry them out to kill the spirorbids?

 

[AydenLincoln]

OP was asking how long they could live (on dry shells) out of water.
Vetteguy wasn't saying they could live 1-3 months out of water,,, just overlooked that piece of the question (I assume).

...but I don't have an educated answer

EDIT -- maybe clarify:
Did you buy empty shells (no hermits inside) out of a tank and now you want to dry them out to kill the spirorbids?

Yes I did. And yes correct.

 

[AydenLincoln]

anywhere from 1-3 months. They will eventually starve. They prefer a nutrient-rich environment, where they can breed at a high rate. While they are harmless in a reef tank, though they can be a bit unsightly clinging on the glass and looking like dirt or infestation. leopard wrasses are known to eat them

OP was asking how long they could live (on dry shells) out of water.
Vetteguy wasn't saying they could live 1-3 months out of water,,, just overlooked that piece of the question (I assume).

...but I don't have an educated answer

EDIT -- maybe clarify:
Did you buy empty shells (no hermits inside) out of a tank and now you want to dry them out to kill the spirorbids?

Yes out of water there’s no way it takes that long out of water right? They aren’t in my tank they are on shells that I bought.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

@ISpeakForTheSeas do you by chance know the answer? I am in a similar situation and wondering how long the equipment needs to sit out of the water for them to die/not reproduce once reintroduced

I would figure 24-48 hours would be enough for them to die out of the water

Thanks!!

 

[Reefering1]

If they are empty shells, why not just remove what you see and bleach the shells?

 

[PharmrJohn]

If they are empty shells, why not just remove what you see and bleach the shells?

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Wasabiroot]

There's also a good chance that there are plenty in places that you don't normally look, i.e. down your overflow drain etc. I wouldn't reinvent the wheel to get rid of them. Seems like they're fairly inevitable. That said, still need to ensure everything is flowing correctly and check for obstructions.

 

[BeanAnimal]

FWIW

Spirobis….

not

Spirobid