What is living under my Rhodactis?

[907_Reefer]

So I noticed multiple wormy, tentacles spreading from underneath my Rhodactis today. I've seen 3 at once, they extend an inch or more, flow in the current, when I lightly bump the mushroom it retracts and exposes what appears to be a worm tube.. Rhodactis seems fine and dandy. ID please and thanks!

 

[Daenion]

Those look like hydroids to me. But there are people with much better knowledge than I possess

 

[907_Reefer]

Ugh..

 

[907_Reefer]

I wonder if my new friend @EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal can help confirm..

I've done some research this morning, can't really match it to any of the hydroid photos I've found, unless it's just hiding in the tube with a few tentacles out at a time. They do extend pretty far, over an inch from the tube or so, when not retracted. With the tank still dark now, I can see the tube and one of the tentacles floating around about 1 cm out.

Luckily this is the only place in the tank I've noticed, on my newer Rhodactis frag still on the rack - thinking I can pull it today and scrape the tube off with a knife maybe..

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Is the tube make of sand? If so, they are Phyllochaetopterus or Chaetopterid worms - harmless filter feeders similar to spionids.

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.php

Regardless, they're definitely not hydroids

 

[907_Reefer]

Is the tube make if sand? If so, they are Phyllochaetopterus or Chaetopterid worms - harmless filter feeders similar to spionids.

https://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.php

Regardless, they're definitely not hydroids

Thanks!!

I'm not sure on the tube yet, it does look similar to my feather duster shells though.

My only note against a Chaetopterid worm is that I'm pretty sure I've seen 3 tentacles out at once, will keep an eye on it today however.

And will get some better pics once the lights are on. Appreciate the help!

 

[MAH]

Those look similar to Spionid worms.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I noticed multiple wormy, tentacles spreading from underneath my Rhodactis today. I've seen 3 at once, they extend an inch or more, flow in the current, when I lightly bump the mushroom it retracts and exposes what appears to be a worm tube.. Rhodactis seems fine and dandy. ID please and thanks!

This is clatharina sponge and will spread. Take a tweezers and carefully pull off and discard. You can also place frag in a container of tank water and be sure to scrape it all off. Not spinoids which utilize two palps- not one for feeding

 

[907_Reefer]

As an update, if I recall I had made a mild attempt to remove this guy, then we ended up moving the tank in August 2023, 250 miles, with new sand. Haven't seen him since but noticed what looks like the same guy today on the sand bed.

Definitely 2 tentacles, reaching out a good few inches. No clear shot at the tube without excavation, and I hadn't seen any others since so doesn't seem like any spreading.

Best shots of about 50 photos

Rhodactis has split a number of times and no sign of anything on the plug since.