Unknown Hitchhiker

[chicken_parm]

These guys are all over my tank. I have looked everywhere and asked many people, and no one seems to know what these are. They seem more active at night and when trying to touch the tentacle it retracts. I know it is definitely not a bristle worm or vermitid. And I do not think these things move. They might move but I could never tell. Any help would be appreciated because they may be stinging or irritating some of my corals. The tank has been up for almost two years. Thanks for the replies!

 

[blaxsun]

Very weird...

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Almost looks like some kind of hydroid? Not sure though

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Almost looks like some kind of hydroid? Not sure though

Yeah, it's most likely a Candelabrid (taxonomic family Candelabridae) hydroid species, though I'm not sure which species, and good photos of them are pretty difficult to find. That said, the link below has pics of a Candelabrum sp. (tentatively ID'ed as Candelabrum frichtmanii) that look pretty similar to this:

Aquarium Invertebrates: A Creature From Outer Space Or A Hydroid For Liberace’s Piano?

Based on the brief descriptions of the different Candelabrum species, it appears likely that the one at the Lovett school is undescribed. It may also be a first known strictly tropical species, or it may give a range extension for an already known species.

reefs.com