Snail hitchhiker - Vermatid Snail?

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Hello,

just got a bunch of snails today and one got a red "tunnel" thingy on it. What is it? Good or bad and if so how to get rid of it?

Thanks guys!

Ricox · Mar 30, 2022

It looks like it's just a bristleworm.

Ricox · Mar 30, 2022

Which isn't actually a bad thing as it will eat detritus in your tank. However they aren't the prettiest to look at so many people like removing them. I only see it as a problem if your nutrients get high so the population starts getting out of control. Completely your decision. Also try not to touch it as the tiny hairs on it hurts!

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Ricox said:
It looks like it's just a bristleworm.

Ricox said:
Which isn't actually a bad thing as it will eat detritus in your tank. However they aren't the prettiest to look at so many people like removing them. I only see it as a problem if your nutrients get high so the population starts getting out of control. Completely your decision. Also try not to touch it as the tiny hairs on it hurts!

Yikes. I saw a bunch of picutes and videos. True nightmare stuff

Any idea on how to remove it, seems pretty solid attached to the shell. Maybe dip just the shell in freshwater so it comes out/off?

Ricox · Mar 30, 2022

Has it been moving? If it is firmly attached and hard it might be something else.

Ricox · Mar 30, 2022

Try ID it with photos if bristleworms on the internet and see if it matches to make sure.

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Ricox said:
Has it been moving? If it is firmly attached and hard it might be something else.

So far no. Its a pretty solid tube and something is in there

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 30, 2022

It's a vermatid. Scrape it completely off the snail shell and rinse the snail off before putting it back in your tank.

Ricox · Mar 30, 2022

Inversus said:
So far no. Its a pretty solid tube and something is in there

Yes it would be a vermatid then.

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Erin1971Texas said:
It's a vermatid. Scrape it completely off the snail shell and rinse the snail off before putting it back in your tank.

Ricox said:
Yes it would be a vermatid then.

Not the most pleasant work but i got it done, thanks guys! I watched the other snail closer in the tank and there are small feathers on it? Is it a feather duster? They moving aka comming in and out

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 30, 2022

Inversus said:
Not the most pleasant work but i got it done, thanks guys! I watched the other snail closer in the tank and there are small feathers on it? Is it a feather duster? They moving aka comming in and out

Most likely feather duster but could be colonial hydroids which you DO NOT WANT!!! Is it just one critter or a group?

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Erin1971Texas said:
Most likely feather duster but could be colonial hydroids which you DO NOT WANT!!! Is it just one critter or a group?

Seems to be just one. I tried to take a picture but its so small and didn't wanted to come out when I had my camera ready

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 30, 2022

Inversus said:
Seems to be just one. I tried to take a picture but its so small and didn't wanted to come out when I had my camera ready

When in doubt, it's usually better to remove, but Google colonial hydroids and see if your "duster" matches.

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Erin1971Texas said:
When in doubt, it's usually better to remove, but Google colonial hydroids and see if your "duster" matches.

Now I got a pictures. Seems to be more than one:
But cant say what it is. Google pics are not matching

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 30, 2022

It's hard to tell, but that might be a barnacle. Are the "feathers" all the same length or do they go from long to short?

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Erin1971Texas said:
It's hard to tell, but that might be a barnacle. Are the "feathers" all the same length or do they go from long to short?

I would say same length. The longer I look the more of them appear

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · Mar 30, 2022

Do the feathers pop in and out all at once or does it kind of "wave" ?

Check out the video in this post... Zoom in to see what I mean. This is a barnacle.
Thread 'Feather duster or?' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/feather-duster-or.774062/

Inversus · Mar 30, 2022

Erin1971Texas said:
Do the feathers pop in and out all at once or does it kind of "wave" ?

Check out the video in this post... Zoom in to see what I mean. This is a barnacle.
Thread 'Feather duster or?' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/feather-duster-or.774062/

So Hard to Tell. Could be, could not be. The ones in the videos you posted are moving pretty quick, mine not so. But maybe because the feathers didnt catch anything edible
There are small ones and a bigger one seemingly outside All the time now.