Anyone know what would make this?

[KRains]

I have a mixed reef with no issues. I noticed this in the corner today. Any idea what would make that kind of pattern? The sand is coiled up

sorry for the crappy picture.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Pictures under white lights would be helpful, but I'd guess some kind of large gastropod eggs such as eggs from a conch or - more likely from what I can see - some species of sea hare.

 

[WheatToast]

Various sand-dwelling worms (ex. lugworms and acorn worms) consume and defecate sand to create mounds like these, though I have never heard of them hitchhiking into reef aquariums. They are said to consume detritus and (potentially beneficial) microfauna in the sand.

 

[vetteguy53081]

worm creation no doubt

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Various sand-dwelling worms (ex. lugworms and acorn worms) consume and defecate sand to create mounds like these, though I have never heard of them hitchhiking into reef aquariums. They are said to consume detritus and (potentially beneficial) microfauna in the sand.

That is both very cool and very gross, haha - learn something new every day.

 

[KRains]

Various sand-dwelling worms (ex. lugworms and acorn worms) consume and defecate sand to create mounds like these, though I have never heard of them hitchhiking into reef aquariums. They are said to consume detritus and (potentially beneficial) microfauna in the sand.

I can’t get a better picture without destroying it. The Caroline in that back corner is solid. I haven’t seen any unusual worms. Ive been up and running for 3 years and haven’t added anything other than frags in over a year. I have some big snails astrea snails but no sea hares it conchs. This is the first time I’ve seen it. I was just wondering. I’m not really too concerned.

I did seed this aquarium 3 years ago with aquacultures rock from Tampa bay salt water. I suppose it’s possible to have some worms I haven’t seen

 

[Dburr1014]

That would be a big worm... No?