How to get rid of Vermetid Snails/ tube worms

lastduke · 10/28/2008, 10:53 PM

Did a little bit research, didn't find the discussion about this.
Anyone has the suggestion?
It has the fast multiple rate and make the "net" in my tank when I feed my fish.

BuddhaKiss · 10/28/2008, 11:13 PM

Some would say reduce your feedings and you should see their numbers decline. I just remove them manually. If you choose the manual route, make sure you remove their base as well, not just the tube.

lastduke · 10/28/2008, 11:54 PM

is there any other way to remove them......

Reefer07 · 10/28/2008, 11:56 PM

I just scrape them off with a razor. Don't be gentle......

ludnix · 10/29/2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reefer07
I just scrape them off with a razor. Don't be gentle......

Don't be gentle, but do be careful. They stick onto rocks extremely well, if its on a secure rock I'd use something like a flat head screw driver to break them off, I've also used forceps to get them off my clams.

kwaters · 10/29/2008, 12:51 AM

I had a ton in the beginning...like every other strange thing I didn't want...except for mojanos and aiptasia, they went away.

There are only a few remaining now. Take care when handling, their little tubes can inflict damage to the human flesh!

Kris

BuddhaKiss · 10/29/2008, 02:06 AM

I use tweezers. Pry off from the base a bit, then pluck them out.

Masoch · 10/29/2008, 05:47 AM

In my experience, diadema (longspine) and echinometra (rock-boring) urchins will mow down the small ones, at least in lit areas. For the big ones (quarter-sized), you'll need dynamite.

stanlalee · 10/29/2008, 07:04 AM

I had a valentini puffer that spent all day snapping them off the liverock. only coral it bothered was an open brain.

lastduke · 10/29/2008, 09:55 AM

Seems that there is no "chemical way" to get rid of them.
Stanlalee, can the puffer take them off the LR and the tube worm dies? But my tank is too small to have a puffer, but I like the puffer looking.

guppychao · 10/29/2008, 10:21 AM

i inject kalk paste in their tube and that seems to kill then.

Rae C. · 10/29/2008, 11:00 AM

Why do you get rid of them? I think they look cool. The kids are fascinated with their "snot" nets.

ADA33 · 10/29/2008, 11:03 AM

I super glue the hole closed.

lastduke · 10/29/2008, 12:00 PM

can I super glue it underwater? it is a pain to bring all the rock out and super glue the worms.

lastduke · 10/29/2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by guppychao
i inject kalk paste in their tube and that seems to kill then.

Hmm... looks llike I can kill both worms and aspasis in the same time. The difficulty is some of the worms are too close to the coral/ploy

maroun.c · 10/29/2008, 12:06 PM

I brake them off the rock with tweezers and then take them out. MAke sure to remove the base on the rock and not only the tube as it will regrow if you only brake the tube .

ADA33 · 10/29/2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lastduke
can I super glue it underwater? it is a pain to bring all the rock out and super glue the worms.

Yes just put the end of the bottle at the opening of the hole and squeeze.

lastduke · 10/29/2008, 12:11 PM

My rock work is sort of tight. Some of them locate in the corner of the rock where the tweezers or finger can not reach

spence0416 · 10/29/2008, 12:22 PM

The ones in my tank seem to cycle in and out. They have never become so numerous that they caused any problems with my corals, but at times they can become unsightly. BUt they keep the water clean so that is reason enough for me to let them hang around. Plus you will never be able to completely get rid of them unless you can get rid of their food source which is pretty much impossible. At least this is my experience...good luck

lastduke · 10/29/2008, 12:33 PM

do they clean the water?

ibnozn · 10/29/2008, 02:25 PM

I've heard stories of Mithrax crabs eating them, Zebra hermits, but don't think there's anything reliable. I crunch 'em at the base with hemostats. Be sure to strain off the pack juice If you're feeding any frozen stuff.

sunfish11 · 10/29/2008, 02:44 PM

I really can't understand the need to get rid of these benificial creatures. So many times we spot something in our tank and then feel the need to kill it. Vermatid snails population is directly related to the food source. They tend to overpopulate an heavily fed and nutrient rich tank. If this is happening cut down a bit on feeding. I am not saying to starve your fish, but give them a couple smaller feedings throughout the day. The population will adjust it's self according to your tank conditions. Same with tube worms and feather dusters.

Lisa

lastduke · 10/29/2008, 02:54 PM

sunfish, got your point, but when you have hundreds of them and making the "spider" thread when you feed your fish, it is not fun to watch, lol.
I sounds like I should reduce feeding. I overfeed the tank because my shimp goby is too shy to come out and fight for the food.

10/28/2008, 10:53 PM	#1
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	How to get rid of Vermetid Snails/ tube worms Did a little bit research, didn't find the discussion about this. Anyone has the suggestion? It has the fast multiple rate and make the "net" in my tank when I feed my fish.

10/29/2008, 12:51 AM	#6
kwaters Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 364	I had a ton in the beginning...like every other strange thing I didn't want...except for mojanos and aiptasia, they went away. There are only a few remaining now. Take care when handling, their little tubes can inflict damage to the human flesh! Kris __________________ Pacific North West Marine Aquarium Society (PNWMAS)-Secretary Kris Waters Current Tank Info: 110 gallon tall

10/29/2008, 10:21 AM	#11
guppychao Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: MD Posts: 130	i inject kalk paste in their tube and that seems to kill then. __________________ were just 2 lost souls swimming in a fish bowl

10/29/2008, 11:00 AM	#12
Rae C. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 916	Why do you get rid of them? I think they look cool. The kids are fascinated with their "snot" nets. __________________ Rae C It's 8:30, kids. Turn off the tank and go to bed! Current Tank Info: 65 gal, softies, 1 mandarine, 1 clown

10/29/2008, 12:06 PM	#16
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	I brake them off the rock with tweezers and then take them out. MAke sure to remove the base on the rock and not only the tube as it will regrow if you only brake the tube . __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

10/28/2008, 11:13 PM	#2
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	Some would say reduce your feedings and you should see their numbers decline. I just remove them manually. If you choose the manual route, make sure you remove their base as well, not just the tube.

10/28/2008, 11:54 PM	#3
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	is there any other way to remove them......

10/28/2008, 11:56 PM	#4
Reefer07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,090	I just scrape them off with a razor. Don't be gentle......

10/29/2008, 02:06 AM	#7
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	I use tweezers. Pry off from the base a bit, then pluck them out.

10/29/2008, 05:47 AM	#8
Masoch Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 549	In my experience, diadema (longspine) and echinometra (rock-boring) urchins will mow down the small ones, at least in lit areas. For the big ones (quarter-sized), you'll need dynamite.

10/29/2008, 07:04 AM	#9
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	I had a valentini puffer that spent all day snapping them off the liverock. only coral it bothered was an open brain.

10/29/2008, 09:55 AM	#10
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Seems that there is no "chemical way" to get rid of them. Stanlalee, can the puffer take them off the LR and the tube worm dies? But my tank is too small to have a puffer, but I like the puffer looking.

10/29/2008, 11:03 AM	#13
ADA33 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Francisco CA Posts: 3,131	I super glue the hole closed.

10/29/2008, 12:00 PM	#14
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	can I super glue it underwater? it is a pain to bring all the rock out and super glue the worms.

10/29/2008, 12:11 PM	#18
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	My rock work is sort of tight. Some of them locate in the corner of the rock where the tweezers or finger can not reach

10/29/2008, 12:22 PM	#19
spence0416 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 106	The ones in my tank seem to cycle in and out. They have never become so numerous that they caused any problems with my corals, but at times they can become unsightly. BUt they keep the water clean so that is reason enough for me to let them hang around. Plus you will never be able to completely get rid of them unless you can get rid of their food source which is pretty much impossible. At least this is my experience...good luck

10/29/2008, 12:33 PM	#20
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	do they clean the water?

10/29/2008, 02:25 PM	#21
ibnozn Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 162	I've heard stories of Mithrax crabs eating them, Zebra hermits, but don't think there's anything reliable. I crunch 'em at the base with hemostats. Be sure to strain off the pack juice If you're feeding any frozen stuff.

10/29/2008, 02:44 PM	#22
sunfish11 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Weyauwega, WI Posts: 2,365	I really can't understand the need to get rid of these benificial creatures. So many times we spot something in our tank and then feel the need to kill it. Vermatid snails population is directly related to the food source. They tend to overpopulate an heavily fed and nutrient rich tank. If this is happening cut down a bit on feeding. I am not saying to starve your fish, but give them a couple smaller feedings throughout the day. The population will adjust it's self according to your tank conditions. Same with tube worms and feather dusters. Lisa

10/29/2008, 02:54 PM	#23
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	sunfish, got your point, but when you have hundreds of them and making the "spider" thread when you feed your fish, it is not fun to watch, lol. I sounds like I should reduce feeding. I overfeed the tank because my shimp goby is too shy to come out and fight for the food.