Small orange tubes - what are they?

[321Simon]

Looking for help on identifying this orange tube hitchhiker that is spreading. This appeared on a bubble coral (on tube and rock only - not on bubble coral tissue) from local pet store. I have not seen anything come out of tubes but they are spreading. I searched forums but no luck so far. Thank you for any help

 

[fishski13]

Looks to be vermetid snails

 

[G Santana]

The dreaded vermitid critters

 

[321Simon]

Thank you both for the tip. I did not think to search for snails. I have not seen anything come out of them yet but will treat it like vermetid/vermitid

 

[JumboShrimp]

From the looks of that one photo, it looks like you could reach your hand down in there with a clean flathead screwdriver and bust them up right down to their base; it’s important to crush the base, not just snap off the tops. Best wishes.

 

[busfullofderps]

If you want to try controlling population through natural prevention, I have had success with my possum wrasse munching on these and flatworms. Some have had success with bumble bee snails as well, have not tried.

 

[G Santana]

If you want to try controlling population through natural prevention, I have had success with my possum wrasse munching on these and flatworms. Some have had success with bumble bee snails as well, have not tried.

I have bumblebee snails and they do eat vermitid but not at the rate that will decimate them quickly, I have never heard of that wrasse you mentioned but I am intrigued!!!

 

[busfullofderps]

I have bumblebee snails and they do eat vermitid but not at the rate that will decimate them quickly, I have never heard of that wrasse you mentioned but I am intrigued!!!

I may have the name incorrect, but I believe it is a yellow banded possum wrasse. I waited for quite some time to find one at my LFS. This, and the pink streaked wrasse are my favorite for animated behavior and utilitarian pest control. Their movement makes no sense, like a drunkard manning a helicopter.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Bumble bee snails best bet

 

[JumboShrimp]

I second the Bumble Bee snails.

 

[321Simon]

Thank you all so much for the advice. Today I went after all the worms I could find. I'm going to keep after them and try to find both bumble bee snails and yellow banded possum wrasse. Always love adding cool creatures that chip in on taking down pests.

 

[damsels are not mean]

Is there even any evidence of bumblebee snails actually eating vermetids? This has been brought up every time someone mentions vermetids and I have yet to see a single success story... The wrasse sounds even like a worse bet but those are rare enough that it could be unnoticed.