White wisps?

carbondave · Oct 3, 2023

Apologies in advance for the lack of pictures, but these things are so thin they're really hard to capture. I have noticed for a few days some white wispy threads coming from various parts of my rockwork. At first I thought they were vermetid snails, but today upon closer inspection I noticed that the strands have multiple branches to them. A quick search suggested branching hydroids, but these don't look like the pictures I saw. Each thread and branch is no thicker than a hair and sways around quite a lot in the current. The main threads are about 4" long and the branches are about 2". It's almost spider web like. I removed probably about half a dozen, but I'm sure there are more.

Some additional info about my tank: mostly dry rock, added some TBS live rock to the DT and sump about 2 months ago. Tank has been mostly in the dark since as I didn't have any inhabitants and needed time to build the canopy for the lights. Turned on the lights on Sunday and added fish (2 clowns) and corals (shrooms, 2 zoas). Will run some tests for parameters and update.

ISpeakForTheSeas · Oct 3, 2023

Do the branches come off of both sides of the main thread, or just one side?

If just one side, I’d suggest looking up benthic ctenophores and seeing if that’s a match.

Rick's Reviews · Oct 3, 2023

carbondave said:
Apologies in advance for the lack of pictures, but these things are so thin they're really hard to capture. I have noticed for a few days some white wispy threads coming from various parts of my rockwork. At first I thought they were vermetid snails, but today upon closer inspection I noticed that the strands have multiple branches to them. A quick search suggested branching hydroids, but these don't look like the pictures I saw. Each thread and branch is no thicker than a hair and sways around quite a lot in the current. The main threads are about 4" long and the branches are about 2". It's almost spider web like. I removed probably about half a dozen, but I'm sure there are more.

Some additional info about my tank: mostly dry rock, added some TBS live rock to the DT and sump about 2 months ago. Tank has been mostly in the dark since as I didn't have any inhabitants and needed time to build the canopy for the lights. Turned on the lights on Sunday and added fish (2 clowns) and corals (shrooms, 2 zoas). Will run some tests for parameters and update.

Weird but hard to say without pictures, I'm guessing gyro day... or a very bad day for smile's.

Probably vermited but unsure., I have hydroids and they sound similar, sounds like you have some weird species, photos would sincerely help

good luck

carbondave · Oct 3, 2023

ISpeakForTheSeas said:
Do the branches come off of both sides of the main thread, or just one side?

If just one side, I’d suggest looking up benthic ctenophores and seeing if that’s a match.

Ladies and gentlemen we have a winner! That's exactly what they look like. Now I admittedly only did a cursory search but I can't tell: friend or foe?

Also, since I tested parameters:
Salinity: 36 ppt (refractometer)
pH: 8.2 (Red Sea)
dkH: 6 (Red Sea)
Ammonia: 0 (Red Sea)
Nitrate: 2-5 (Red Sea)

I use Instant Ocean Reef Crystals in RO/DI water reading a TDS of 0.