Weird worm looking thing on fox coral?

[AAAReefing]

Hello all, I was recently looking at my fox coral when I noticed this weird worm looking structure on the side of its skeleton. It seems to have a pattern of some sort? It’s not reactive to any touch or movement and it seems hard, almost like it’s a part of the skeleton. Could it just be a weird growth in the skeleton or is it some kind of worm? Thanks.

 

[fishguy242]

hi, can't see video, can you post a few pics ? sounds like a vermited ?

 

[AAAReefing]

hi, can't see video, can you post a few pics ? sounds like a vermited ?

Sure, I don't think it's vermitids as it's not really like a tubular structure and it's more like a bristleworm almost, but I did have them in the tank from a hammer.

 

[AAAReefing]

Sure, I don't think it's vermitids as it's not really like a tubular structure and it's more like a bristleworm almost, but I did have them in the tank from a hammer.

It also hasn't seemed to move at all throughout the day/night

 

[Crabs McJones]

Could be a fan worm tube if it's got a hard skeleton

 

[AAAReefing]

Could be a fan worm tube if it's got a hard skeleton

Should i try to feed phyto near it and see if something comes out?

 

[Crabs McJones]

If you haven't seen any movement out of it or anything coming out of the end it may already be dead and just a skeleton. I'd say just remove it to be safe since it's easily accessible at this point. If it's a fanworm they're good filter feeders, but if it's dead the skeleton isn't harming anything. But without knowing what's inside better safe than sorry.

 

[AAAReefing]

If you haven't seen any movement out of it or anything coming out of the end it may already be dead and just a skeleton. I'd say just remove it to be safe since it's easily accessible at this point. If it's a fanworm they're good filter feeders, but if it's dead the skeleton isn't harming anything. But without knowing what's inside better safe than sorry.

I would try to remove it but it almost seems like it's buried down in the skeleton. Should I just leave it?

 

[fishguy242]

we really need a pic to id... ;)

 

[AAAReefing]

we really need a pic to id... ;)

Did the pics not work? I inserted some in

 

[fishguy242]

cannot id, try to scrape off skeletons as best as can ,outside of tank , could be coral boring ?
when in doubt,take it out

 

[BristleWormHater]

Might be a xenomorph... be careful.
@ISpeakForTheSeas?

 

[AAAReefing]

Might be a xenomorph... be careful.
@ISpeakForTheSeas?

Wait… those people outside my door last night with the long heads weren’t early trick or treaters?