Can you identify sand covered tube with tentacle?

renouart · 01/01/2008, 06:52 PM

Sorry, no picture, but about a month ago, a tube started growing along the top of the sandbed out from the rock, and it was coated with sand, as if glued to it. I noticed that a single white tentacle would come out of the tube, apparently looking for food. The tentacle itself was about 2 inches long. The tube is now about 3-4 inches long, and about 1/8 in in diameter. Any thoughts to what it is, and should I be happy or concerned?
Thanks.

Sk8r · 01/01/2008, 06:53 PM

vermetid. Mild pest, food thief, but no problem unless in huge numbers.

Misled · 01/01/2008, 06:59 PM

I agree with Sk8r look here

reefergeorge · 01/01/2008, 07:27 PM

Nice picture.
I have never seen a 3-4 inch long vermetid snail. I didn't know they go that big. Most of mine are under half inch. A picture would help a lot.

renouart · 01/01/2008, 07:38 PM

That is not what the animal I have looks like, though perhaps just a different variety? The tube does not move, only the white tentacle that comes out of it. And the tube lays on top of the sand bed, not sticking out above it. I have those stringy things that are in this picture, but this tube is not the source of it, so I think maybe mine is different?

Misled · 01/01/2008, 07:40 PM

I have a couple that size in my tank. They don't bother much , but one was bugging my Fugi leather so I broke it off. Trouble is they can run back into a rock or the sand.

dsn112 · 01/01/2008, 07:56 PM

I noticed exactly what your describing today. Mine looks like yours sounds. I caught it with its tentacle fully extended and then it went away. It is less then half an inch or so, but doesnt' look like the picture above,

renouart · 01/01/2008, 08:33 PM

looks like a spionid, I think.

Paintbug · 01/02/2008, 08:17 PM

check out the Phyllochaetopterus sp. here.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.php
it is toward the bottom.

01/01/2008, 06:52 PM	#1
renouart Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 91	Can you identify sand covered tube with tentacle? Sorry, no picture, but about a month ago, a tube started growing along the top of the sandbed out from the rock, and it was coated with sand, as if glued to it. I noticed that a single white tentacle would come out of the tube, apparently looking for food. The tentacle itself was about 2 inches long. The tube is now about 3-4 inches long, and about 1/8 in in diameter. Any thoughts to what it is, and should I be happy or concerned? Thanks.

01/01/2008, 06:53 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	vermetid. Mild pest, food thief, but no problem unless in huge numbers. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/01/2008, 06:59 PM	#3
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	I agree with Sk8r look here __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

01/01/2008, 07:27 PM	#4
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	Nice picture. I have never seen a 3-4 inch long vermetid snail. I didn't know they go that big. Most of mine are under half inch. A picture would help a lot. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

01/01/2008, 07:40 PM	#6
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	I have a couple that size in my tank. They don't bother much , but one was bugging my Fugi leather so I broke it off. Trouble is they can run back into a rock or the sand. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

01/01/2008, 07:38 PM	#5
renouart Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 91	That is not what the animal I have looks like, though perhaps just a different variety? The tube does not move, only the white tentacle that comes out of it. And the tube lays on top of the sand bed, not sticking out above it. I have those stringy things that are in this picture, but this tube is not the source of it, so I think maybe mine is different?

01/01/2008, 07:56 PM	#7
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	I noticed exactly what your describing today. Mine looks like yours sounds. I caught it with its tentacle fully extended and then it went away. It is less then half an inch or so, but doesnt' look like the picture above, __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

01/01/2008, 08:33 PM	#8
renouart Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 91	looks like a spionid, I think.

01/02/2008, 08:17 PM	#9
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	check out the Phyllochaetopterus sp. here. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.php it is toward the bottom. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently