Space Aliens

[Allaric]

I need some help to identify strange creatures in my tank. I have no idea what it might be. I have a tiny amount of aptasia that I am currently fighting and I thought that these might be babies, but they don't resemble aptasia. No tentacles or smooth stalk, and the little fan that seems to be attached at the top is very short and pointed. They almost look like a filter worm of some kind.

They are 3mm to 8mm long and seem to prefer low-flow, low light areas. They are soft and crunch like tiny piece of celery. They are everywhere in the sump and in a couple corners of the display. They don't seem to cause any problems, but are starting to multiply at an alarming rate.

Tank has been running for 6 months after a move, and they have gone from non-existent to a few hundred in maybe 2 months. I have added some coral and for what it is worth I saw nothing like this on them when I dipped them.

0.02ppm PO4
0.08ppm NO3
465ppm Ca
1500ppm Mg
9.5 dKH
1.026sg
8.3 PH

I'd like to know what they are and how to get rid of them. If they are actually aliens then I would like to donate them to science.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Allaric]

Could it be a pineapple sponge?

 

[GHOSTLY]

Hard to tell. looks like it but also like an amphopod

 

[Sharkbait19]

I’d assume pineapple sponge, especially based on the crunching. Could be hydroids.
Pods wouldn’t be so fuzzy and would move around.

 

[Isopod80]

Benthic foraminiferans. The fiberglass looking hairs are feeding structures. They are sessile absorption feeders. Harmless and most will likely die off on their own as the tank matures. You can also scrape them off very easily with an old credit card if you wish. They are absorbing excess silicates among other things to build their structure. That's what gives them the crunchy texture.

 

[Allaric]

Thanks for the identification. I am glad to know that these are not something to be overly concerned about.