What’s on my hammer? Help!!

[maxemorris]

I just moved my livestock to a new tank, and when I picked up my big hammer colony for the first time in months it had these dark worms and white spongey stuff all over the base. What is it? Is it harmful? I see some of the same white on another hammer. What is it?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

If by dark worms you mean the little spiral spirorbid worm shells, then those are harmless. The white stuff looks like it probably is a sponge to me. Generally speaking, sponges are harmless filter feeders - some invasive ones can start overgrowing corals, but unless you see that start happening here, it’s most likely harmless. Plus, from my understanding, sponges are generally pretty easy to manually remove, so if it does start getting out of hand, you should be able to trim it back relatively easily.

 

[maxemorris]

If by dark worms you mean the little spiral spirorbid worm shells, then those are harmless. The white stuff looks like it probably is a sponge to me. Generally speaking, sponges are harmless filter feeders - some invasive ones can start overgrowing corals, but unless you see that start happening here, it’s most likely harmless. Plus, from my understanding, sponges are generally pretty easy to manually remove, so if it does start getting out of hand, you should be able to trim it back relatively easily.

Thank you! By dark worms I was referring to the brown worm right between the two heads. It’s pretty big not the tiny spirorbid shells you are talking about. Do you know what that is?

 

[MERKEY]

Vermatid snail.

Very hard shell.

They will kill surrounding coral.

Bumblebee snails will eat them once crushed.

If you can take the rock out then crushing and removing is easier.

Vermatid are also smaller in size. You have the larger version. We have both lol

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I can’t believe I missed that the first time around. It most likely is a vermetid snail tube as mentioned above - these feed by sending out a mucus net, and that net can irritate/harm corals (as mentioned above).

 

[maxemorris]

Vermatid snail.

Very hard shell.

They will kill surrounding coral.

Bumblebee snails will eat them once crushed.

If you can take the rock out then crushing and removing is easier.

Vermatid are also smaller in size. You have the larger version. We have both lol

Just did some research, worst news i’ve heard on this forum…

I’m reading that coral grow around them and all I can do is manually remove the ones I see. No dips or treatment will work. Is that true? I appreciate the help

 

[MERKEY]

Just did some research, worst news i’ve heard on this forum…

I’m reading that coral grow around them and all I can do is manually remove the ones I see. No dips or treatment will work. Is that true? I appreciate the help

Yes unfortunately true.

If you can crush the shell in the tank and have bumblebee snails they will eat them.

Taking rocks out and manually removing them is the best bet tho.

 

[maxemorris]

Yes unfortunately true.

If you can crush the shell in the tank and have bumblebee snails they will eat them.

Taking rocks out and manually removing them is the best bet tho.

Alright, I know what my day looks like tomorrow!

Thanks for the help