Tentacles..?

[Forty-Two]

Hi - something has taken up residence in an old hermit crab shell and I have no idea what it is.

it appears to have quite long tentacles that are small and thin. I would estimate they are at least 3-4 inches long - possibly longer - and there appear to be several.

About once a day it appears to release something into the water - some sort of film. I want to make sure it’s not toxic to the corals.

Video didn’t work

 

[blaxsun]

I think you may need some better images taken under white light for someone to speculate what this could be.

 

[Forty-Two]

Hmm - I really don’t like to mess with the corals light cycle - but I’ve taken some in white light - hopefully it helps

 

[blaxsun]

From the images it may be a spinoid worm.

 

[Forty-Two]

From the images it may be a spinoid worm.

I guess there could be lots of them in there? Like 6-8?

 

[blaxsun]

I guess there could be lots of them in there? Like 6-8?

I don't know enough about them, I just tried to find some images that matched yours and all seemed to indicate spinoid worms.

 

[WheatToast]

Hmm - I really don’t like to mess with the corals light cycle - but I’ve taken some in white light - hopefully it helps

In the future, try using a flashlight .

 

[dvgyfresh]

It’s a worm/ filter feeder I have a ton of them lol won’t harm anything- I do see some bubbles which could be starting signs of Dino’s though so watch nutrient levels

 

[MaxTremors]

Looks like the arms of mini brittle stars.

 

[Uzidaisies]

I’m leaning towards spionid worms. Not tapered enough for mini brittles IMO.

 

[Uzidaisies]

I’m leaning towards spionid worms. Not tapered enough for mini brittles IMO.

Maybe tapered isn’t the right word. Just proportionally, it doesn’t look like brittle stars to me.

 

[MaxTremors]

Maybe tapered isn’t the right word. Just proportionally, it doesn’t look like brittle stars to me.

You’re right, I only looked at one of the photos, and after looking at the others I think it’s definitely some sort of tube worm.

 

[Forty-Two]

I’m back - with another blurry video - I feel like I’m a Sasquatch conspiracy theororist with these shaky videos

anyways I took the suggestion and used a light - plus I have a bit better of an angle now. Definitely not tube worms.

Ok nm on the images they are horrible. In the video you can see it but this site won’t let me upload it - so nm - nothing to see here.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Have a look at digitate hydroids see if it’s similar to what you got

 

[Forty-Two]

Have a look at digitate hydroids see if it’s similar to what you got

hmm - bit of a tough diagnosis with those. I’ve taken a quick look and I don’t think so but I need to do more research. It seems to move from one end of the shell to the other, and also doesn’t seem to have the barbed like tentacles

 

[sixty_reefer]

hmm - bit of a tough diagnosis with those. I’ve taken a quick look and I don’t think so but I need to do more research. It seems to move from one end of the shell to the other, and also doesn’t seem to have the barbed like tentacles

Do they seem to have a round shape on the foot we’re attached do the rock work?

 

[Forty-Two]

I’m trying this again because it’s in a bit better position now closer to the glass and the lights are off atm. Still not easy to see - but it’s grown so a bit easier