Pretty sure Coral Boring Spionid Worms

[liddojunior]

I have a new elegance coral that has 2 spinoid works coming out of its mouth.

Has anyone ever had issues with a coral mouth becoming home to one of these critters ?

Since they are harmless I believe it is fine, but didn’t think they can burrow into a coral mouth.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Sure it’s not poop?

 

[MoshJosh]

Very strange, the antenna do look like CBS. If I am not mistaken the worms bore into the skeleton, so them coming out of the mouth might just be a coincidence/path of least resistance?

I don't know that they are entirely "harmless" as they are boring into the coral and can spread fairly easily. Regardless given their location there is likely not much to be done. There is a deworming medication that has shown promise as a dip (think ivermectin but can't remember, there is a thread somewhere about it). I have used a sharp instrument and "bored out" the worms "bore hole" with mixed results. . . probably not worth trying that on the elegances mouth. . .

 

[liddojunior]

Sure it’s not poop?

Yeah had it for a week straight. And it’s got 2 little extensions that flow in the flow