Pest ID

Renmarie93 · Jan 31, 2023

My tank is about a year old. These white/translucent worm type things are all over my rock and back chamber media now. At first I thought they were pineapple sponges and then I was told they were colonial hydroids but when I search that these things don't look anything like those. I was told they are impossible to get rid of, they seem to prefer being under rocks not directly exposed to light/flow. I'd like to ID these things for research purposes. I just started an upgraded tank and I'm scared of infecting that tank with these pests.

Big G · Jan 31, 2023

"Cryptic" Sponges. As you said, they are very difficult to get rid of, and I wouldn't bother trying scraping, etc. (see video). On the plus side they use silicates to build their structures.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 31, 2023

Agree - cryptic poriferan sponge which can creep and expand. Use a dental type pick or small crochet needle and gently pull off. Other option is to inject with air or vinegar via syringe which will stop it