Crazy Euphyllia worm!: ID white thready worm cluster

[Villareef]

I've seen these explained as menesterial filaments which I believe are incorrect. These attach to coral tissue and do not originate from the mouth of the polyp. They also appear on different parts of the coral if disturbed the previous day. They move, but only at night. The attached pics of this organism after it was plucked from the tip of a frogspawn tentacle. After about 20 min in this black cap, the worm starts to unravel off the coral tissue (second pic). Any idea what this is and do I need to take action? Thought about dipping the coral, but I don't this work because as soon as the coral closes, the worm is attached and protected inside the closed polyp.

View attachment 20180331_124442.jpg

 

[ChiCity]

those are mesenterial filaments, bud...
it’s not moving, it’s unraveling.
and it will continue to do so until it’s completely dead, which will occur shortly because it was ripped from the frogspawn

 

[SAPPER]

100% mesenterial filaments and its normal for them to come from multiple places on a coral. Many things can bring these out from a coral thats to close, something irritating it or some foods will.

 

[Villareef]

Thank you, that was my original thought. Never have seen them appear in multiple spots from day to day. So they are poking through the coral tissue and can do this anywhere on the coral? Maybe food related, not sure what could be irritating it. Wow, I feel horrible. Thanks again.

 

[SAPPER]

Yes they can come from the tissue, they dont just come out from the mouth.

 

[Villareef]

Thanks again, always learning!!

 

[Cnidoblast]

That thing you pulled out looks like a chunk of damaged coral tissue - I would iodine dip the whole frag