What is that!! A R2R guide to common new tank hitchhikers.

[Lovemyreef2015]

can any one help me? I found a white/opaque worm about 2" long wrapped around my Xenia. it kinda resembles a bristle worm. it has some hair on it and a group of hairs at its head/end. the coral does not appear to be harmed at all. noticed it about a week ago, then again today. when I touch it with tweezers to try to remove it, it darts into the Xenia polyps or the rock. it is lightning fast. please help me if you can, im worried it might be a bad worm

Does it look like this? If so then it is a digitate hydroid

 

[Cassian]

Does it look like this? If so then it is a digitate hydroid

hmm no. its not that hairy on the body and it is thicker

 

[Cassian]

here is the best pic I can get if this helps anyone ID

 

[miham]

it looks like it could be a stomatella snail. If so they are good guys. Welcome to R2R!

Yes, looks like it... Thank you, for your welcome.

 

[ccombs]

@Crabs McJones - I want to thank you for this post! I see new members join all the time just to ask about hitchhikers. This thread has helped me immensely in answering their questions and providing advice. Thank you so much for this great post!

 

[OutsideBrian]

hmm no. its not that hairy on the body and it is thicker

Maybe a spirorbid?

 

[Heavymman]

I cannot figure this one out at all. I have looked all around and still no idea. It is small red branching on the glass appearing in multiple areas. I’m thinking some kind of tube worm and the red is their “tube”. No idea

 

[Cassian]

Maybe a spirorbid?

it does look like that a little. but its not curled up. it just hangs out on my Xenia

 

[Hemmdog]

Any ideas? It has a thin shell that is kind of opalescent.

Stomatella?

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

Any ideas? It has a thin shell that is kind of opalescent.

Stomatella?

Looks like a stomatella to me

 

[Spaceshrimp]

What are these

 

[KJ]

I cannot figure this one out at all. I have looked all around and still no idea. It is small red branching on the glass appearing in multiple areas. I’m thinking some kind of tube worm and the red is their “tube”. No idea

Look like Labyrinthulaceae.

 

[Heavymman]

Look like Labyrinthulaceae.

Thanks!

 

[Oberst Hajj]

What was this guy, a bristleworm?

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

What was this guy, a bristleworm?

Yes, common bristleworm.

 

[Ursala]

This is a great thread.

 

[Matt Carden]

Ok so I have an interesting one. I have this thriving ivory branch hitchhiker coral that has something growing out of or attached to on of the polyps:

 

[Jayh86]

Is this Aiptasia??

 

[KJ]

Ok so I have an interesting one. I have this thriving ivory branch hitchhiker coral that has something growing out of or attached to on of the polyps:

Look like a sponge!

 

[KJ]

Is this Aiptasia??

Yes:mad: