Live Rock ID question

diverjm · Nov 22, 2022

Hey guys,
I just recently purchased some live rock from my LFS. I was told it was Fiji live rock from a tank take down. It’s covered in tubes and such. I’m wondering if the tubes are some type of tube worm/fan, snails, or something else? Any help is much appreciated!!

EricR · Nov 22, 2022

Looks like a bunch of vermetid snails to me

diverjm · Nov 23, 2022

EricR said:
Looks like a bunch of vermetid snails to me

In your opinion should I try to return this rock to my LFS? These rocks are covered in these tubes. I’m setting up a new tank and if theses are vermetid, they are a bad pest correct?

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Nov 23, 2022

diverjm said:
In your opinion should I try to return this rock to my LFS? These rocks are covered in these tubes. I’m setting up a new tank and if theses are vermetid, they are a bad pest correct?

It's very possible that the tubes are old shells from long-dead snails...

EricR · Nov 23, 2022

diverjm said:
In your opinion should I try to return this rock to my LFS? These rocks are covered in these tubes. I’m setting up a new tank and if theses are vermetid, they are a bad pest correct?

I think I would. There's things you can do but you have a ton so it'd be way too much work, in my opinion.

If they're all dead, no big deal. You could just break off the tubes but in some of the pics, I almost feel like I can see them retracted inside the tube.

Wait for other opinions.

diverjm · Nov 23, 2022

Bump. Any other opinions?

kevgib67 · Nov 23, 2022

Hard to tell but they look empty to me and the openings appear much bigger than any Ive seen in my tanks. Scrape one off at the base and inspect, Im betting it is empty. Good luck.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Nov 24, 2022

EricR said:
I almost feel like I can see them retracted inside the tube.

No offense, but I highly doubt this.

WheatToast · Nov 24, 2022

diverjm said:
Bump. Any other opinions?

I can just barely make out an operculum and pair of tentacles in some of the tubes which would be indicative of live vermetid snails.

Ex: https://www.fantaseaaquariums.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Vermetid-snail-840x405.jpg
You can glue the openings shut or crush the snails’ bases to eliminate them, though with the sheer number I am seeing on the rock, it might be best to return the rock if you can. Some use bumblebee snails to control vermetid snails to varying degrees of success.

EricR · Nov 24, 2022

WheatToast said:
I can just barely make out an operculum and pair of tentacles in some of the tubes which would be indicative of live vermetid snails.
...

Yeah,,, that's what I thought I saw too.

diverjm · Nov 24, 2022

Just an update, I turned off my powerhead and let the rocks sit overnight. This morning I started poking around with some tweezers and confirmed these tubes do in fact have creatures living inside them. I was able to pull one out and it looks like a worm more than a snail. I cant find pics of vermetid snails outside of their tubes. I contacted my LFS and they agreed to take these rocks back but would only give me a store credit. They tried to get me to swap them out with other live rock, however it’s all in the same bin together and I’m guessing the snails will infest everything in that system. Thanks for the help guys and happy Turkey day!

WheatToast · Nov 24, 2022

diverjm said:
Just an update, I turned off my powerhead and let the rocks sit overnight. This morning I started poking around with some tweezers and confirmed these tubes do in fact have creatures living inside them. I was able to pull one out and it looks like a worm more than a snail. I cant find pics of vermetid snails outside of their tubes. I contacted my LFS and they agreed to take these rocks back but would only give me a store credit. They tried to get me to swap them out with other live rock, however it’s all in the same bin together and I’m guessing the snails will infest everything in that system. Thanks for the help guys and happy Turkey day!

No problem! Did they look like this:
https://dfzljdn9uc3pi.cloudfront.net/2017/3158/1/fig-4-full.png