Something growing on Candy Cane

[shocker8786]

Hey everyone,

I have something growing on my Candy cane coral, started to become visible within the past week. It looks like 2 brownish worms almost, but they don’t move. Haven’t been able to find anything similar searching the internet yet. Overall the coral still looks healthy except the few heads around the growth that are deflated. Any idea what it is and how to treat? I have pictures with the lights on and off to hopefully give a good view.

thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

Pics a little fuzzy but looks like tube worm

 

[shocker8786]

Could be. There doesn’t appear to be an opening at the end and I haven’t seen any nets come out or anything. Would you remove it (best approach?) or just leave it?

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Following as my candy cane is just 2 heads.
How old is yours please

Could be. There doesn’t appear to be an opening at the end and I haven’t seen any nets come out or anything. Would you remove it (best approach?) or just leave it?

Following as my candy cane is just 2 heads.
How old is yours please

 

[shocker8786]

This 1 has been in the tank for about 10 months. Started as 3 heads. Not sure how many it has now but has been growing great! Here’s a zoomed out view. I added another 3 head blue one a month ago and that one is also looking great.

Not sure what I’m going to do about the brownish growth. It seems to be irritating a few heads, but overall the coral still looks healthy. I don’t like messing with the corals unless I have to. Guess I’ll continue to keep an eye on it for now.

 

[shocker8786]

Slightly better pictures in case it helps. There are clearly some stringy growth coming off the main part of the brownish tube looking things.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Could be vermetid snail, I'm unsure best way to remove from candy cane though as tissue is very soft, could possibly use a soft toothbrush (baby's) but tubes are quite strong if it is this
(Pic of mine I got 1 month ago )

 

[mje113]

Ok this is wild, I just noticed this thing living within my own candycane's flesh. It's hard to see but if you look closely you'll see it's a small fan that comes out and sweeps at regular 2-5 second intervals. Definitely not a feather duster.

no sure if my video upload worked so here's an alternate link:

it's in the left side of the right stalk.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Video is great, thanks, I believe this is a fan worm, similar to feather duster, if I'm right these are a benefit to your aquarium

 

[Duncan62]

Video is great, thanks, I believe this is a fan worm, similar to feather duster, if I'm right these are a benefit to your aquarium

Agree. I've got several of these and they've lived for years. I'd leave it unless it bothers the coral.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ok this is wild, I just noticed this thing living within my own candycane's flesh. It's hard to see but if you look closely you'll see it's a small fan that comes out and sweeps at regular 2-5 second intervals. Definitely not a feather duster.

no sure if my video upload worked so here's an alternate link:

it's in the left side of the right stalk.

That's a barnacle. Harmless.

 

[shocker8786]

Great job catching yours! I still haven’t seen anything coming out the end of mine. There are definitely a couple heads that are upset by whatever this is. Overall health looks good though. I might pull it out tomorrow and see if I can get s as better look, just can’t get a good look/picture in the tank. Tried to take more, not sure any are better.

wife thought maybe it’s just new growth but I haven’t seen a growth pattern like that before where the stem grows over existing heads.

 

[mje113]

Yeah, I wasn't too concerned, figured it was beneficial other than causing a weird growth pattern with the coral. It's been over 10 years since my last tank but I swear I had something similar in a candy cane way back then.

 

[ying yang]

Barnacle ,you can see it in video trying to swipe food rather than just extend fan and wait