What is this ?

[Idech]

I noticed this a few days ago at night in my tank. They are transparent filaments, looking like thin weed. They are not worms. There is more on this side of the tank, but they seem to be everywhere.

What is it ? How do I get rid of it ?

It might be easier to see around the 1:00 mark.

Thanks !

 

[Steve and his Animals]

looks like threads of mucus, which could be from a number of things living in the sand

 

[Idech]

looks like threads of mucus, which could be from a number of things living in the sand

It really looks like a plant of some sort though. They even seem to retract with light, but maybe I’m just hallucinating, lol !

 

[Steve and his Animals]

It really looks like a plant of some sort though. They even seem to retract with light, but maybe I’m just hallucinating, lol !

a lot of animals let out threads of mucus to filter feed, so they could be pulling them in in reaction to the light.

 

[Idech]

a lot of animals let out threads of mucus to filter feed, so they could be pulling them in in reaction to the light.

So if I try to pull some out and it’s not mushy then it wouldn’t be mucus I guess ?

I have dosed silicates for 2 months. If not mucus, then maybe some type of algae that feeds on silicates ? I have diatoms on the sandbed, only, and that’s where this stuff is.

 

[WheatToast]

Digitate hydroids. I haven’t had issues with them, but some say they are pests.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/digitate-hydroids-spreading-what-to-do.309527/

 

[Idech]

Digitate hydroids. I haven’t had issues with them, but some say they are pests.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/digitate-hydroids-spreading-what-to-do.309527/

Thanks ! Reef tanks will never cease to amaze me !

I think they came when I changed my frozen food, that makes a lot of small particles, unlike my old one. I’ll try to get some of my old food and maybe try a Halloween hermit crab or two.

Oh, and it seems they feed on plankton. I’ll stop dosing for a while.

 

[bnord]

Thanks ! Reef tanks will never cease to amaze me !

I think they came when I changed my frozen food, that makes a lot of small particles, unlike my old one. I’ll try to get some of my old food and maybe try a Halloween hermit crab or two.

Oh, and it seems they feed on plankton. I’ll stop dosing for a while.

Agree with the above ID and they tend to come and go, mostly go…
FWIW, my N of 1 experience is they are cool looking, but will bully, harass, eliminate other smaller hermits. If is utility you want small reds and blues may be your better bet

 

[Idech]

Agree with the above ID and they tend to come and go, mostly go…
FWIW, my N of 1 experience is they are cool looking, but will bully, harass, eliminate other smaller hermits. If is utility you want small reds and blues may be your better bet

Gotcha ! I’ll get the blue legged ones and some peppermint shrimps.

 

[bnord]

Gotcha ! I’ll get the blue legged ones and some peppermint shrimps.

More better in my opinion - plus the right peppermints will make you not know what Aptasia looks like (with luck)

 

[Idech]

More better in my opinion - plus the right peppermints will make you not know what Aptasia looks like (with luck)

Too late, I already know, ha ha ha !

 

[bnord]

More better in my opinion - plus the right peppermints will make you not know what Aptasia looks like (with luck)

And this is where opinions really vary, a small female emerald crab will make you think that Valonia, (bubble algae) only grows on powerheads (where they cant reach) . A big male may make you think it is the cause of every unknown problem in the tank.

 

[bnord]

Too late, I already know, ha ha ha !

I only know what they look like in the overflow - sump has shrimp too - smile