A mystery in my tank!

[JVH]

Ok, maybe its not a mystery to anyone else but can someone please tell me when are those little twig/stick like things that grow off of the rockwork, snails, plugs and basically any hard surface in the tank. It like a tiny 1/4 " to 1/2 inch skinny little tree branch. I have one growing out of a chalice plug, a few snails, rockwork and when my hammer closes up at night there are 2 twigs that look like its attached t the skeleton! I am assuming its harmless but does anyone know what it is and what causes it?

 

[cloak]

It sounds like they might be Vermetid snails.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

 

[Wichbeast]

I'll be following this one. I have snails with this and I'm guessing some kinda coral as its has some kinda string like substance coming out of it and ticking off other corals as the snail moves about. So I condemed it to the refug for now.

 

[JVH]

Nope! It looks exactly like a twig! its brownish and hard like a mini stick. No substance comes off it. It just exactly like a twig!

 

[TheEngineer]

Vermetid would have been my guess too. Can you post a picture?

 

[Breakthecycle2]

Pics would help.

 

[JVH]

Ok, so I looked up Vermetid and the pics I found were different than what I have but o decided to scroll further and bingo! I believe that it! Only I don't believe I have seen any mucus!
Should I just snap them off with pliers? Or will it release some toxin or something like that?

 

[cloak]

You could try snapping them off, but if you don't kill the snail itself it will just build another shell. Some people have had success putting a dab of super glue gel over the tip to seal them shut, but this can be kind of tedious to do. IME they usually just go away on their own, providing that the nutrients in the water are kept low. How old is your tank?

 

[JVH]

You could try snapping them off, but if you don't kill the snail itself it will just build another shell. Some people have had success putting a dab of super glue gel over the tip to seal them shut, but this can be kind of tedious to do. IME they usually just go away on their own, providing that the nutrients in the water are kept low. How old is your tank?

good idea with the glue if that works.. Ill try snapping and gluing! Or maybe a tiny ball of epoxy. My tank is an upgrade about 6 months old but the rock and coral that have it can from my original 30g so all toll its about 1 year old. I wish I realized it prior to transferring all the rock! I certainty would have removed them..This hobby is never boring! Thanks for the suggestion this weekends water change Ill be doing that for sure!

 

[JVH]

Ok so after further inspection I definetly have A vermetid snail problem! Now that I know it's not just a twig or harmless growth I snapped off the few I was aware of. This morning I was looking around and oh my goodness! I have at least another 10 or more to remove so that leads me to believe I have even more than that!!
They are in holes in the rockwork..
I wish I looked into it sooner..
No other way to remove them
???

 

[TheEngineer]

You should be able to keep them in check with an occasional snap and glue. Just be careful because the shells can be quite sharp.

 

[Waters]

I have found that their population comes and goes. Unfortunately there really isn't anything that eats them (although some say a species of wrasse "might".....I believe it is the yellow coris?) Unless they are bothering your coral with their webs, I personally wouldn't worry about them.