Do tube worms kill corals ?

reefrubble · 08/02/2009, 03:52 PM

I just lost a coral , and parts of two other corals . The only thing I could find around these corals , was hard calcium tubes . The tubes had some kind of worms inside . I will try to get some pics of one of the tubes .

Ted

reefrubble · 08/02/2009, 04:21 PM

This is one of the tubes .

NONNA58 · 08/02/2009, 08:04 PM

Ted, I believe that is a serpulid worm that resided in the tubes. I did not think they did anything other than filter feed.

Gary Majchrzak · 08/02/2009, 08:10 PM

looks like a filter feeding vermitid snail.
My SPS grow around them and vice versa. Not a coral killer IME.

evil.konceptz · 08/02/2009, 08:17 PM

Perhaps a bristleworm or something else pesky commandeered the tube to sneak attack a snack? I had and unknown tiny(1/2") neon yellow worm take up residence in one of those tubes, couldn't ID him so I just evicted him. It occurred to me that this could explain your situation as well. JAT

screamincamaro · 08/02/2009, 09:25 PM

I'm pretty sure they dont' harm corals and it's probably an irritant at worst. I have a few SPS that grow around them.

reefrubble · 08/03/2009, 04:40 AM

The tubes have been there , for quite a while . The one coral had an area of tissue loss close to the tube . then one morning I see nothing but white skeleton . then I see a branch of a purple Digi all white . that branch was in the same area . So it was good by tube worm . I will keep checking to see if any more damage occurs . Ted

reefrubble · 08/03/2009, 09:24 PM

Well I looked in the tank using a flashlight , after lights off , and I saw one of my Emerald crabs eating my Digi . I didn't think Emerald crabs ate corals , but this one was really going to town on my Digi . Has anyone else ever noticed emerald crabs eating corals ? Ted

screamincamaro · 08/03/2009, 09:41 PM

They are opportunistic feeders....scavengers. They run out of their preferred food source and it's on to the next thing on the food chain.

GlassReef · 08/04/2009, 07:33 AM

Sorry to hear about the lost corals, Ted. Wasn't that really nice blue one from Emmitt was it?

reefrubble · 08/04/2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GlassReef
Sorry to hear about the lost corals, Ted. Wasn't that really nice blue one from Emmitt was it?

No Tom , It was my purple Digi . , and another small frag I got from John ( I can't remember the name ) . I think it may be the Emerald crabs . Ted

Camocustom98 · 08/06/2009, 10:53 AM

most likely the emerald crabs, I have seen them pick at certain things....Crabs are EviL!!!

08/02/2009, 03:52 PM	#1
reefrubble Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fort Myers , Fl. Posts: 5,718	Do tube worms kill corals ? I just lost a coral , and parts of two other corals . The only thing I could find around these corals , was hard calcium tubes . The tubes had some kind of worms inside . I will try to get some pics of one of the tubes . Ted __________________ Ted Proud member of SHARK (Spring Hill Area Reef Keepers ) Proud member of TBRC (Tampa Bay Reef Club ) Save the reefs , Grow your own Current Tank Info: Marineland 300 DD Tank Custom metal stand , and canopy DIY LED lighting I-Tech Super Beast skimmer . I do not have a tank at this time . I sold the 300 Gal. system

08/02/2009, 04:21 PM	#2
reefrubble Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fort Myers , Fl. Posts: 5,718	This is one of the tubes . __________________ Ted Proud member of SHARK (Spring Hill Area Reef Keepers ) Proud member of TBRC (Tampa Bay Reef Club ) Save the reefs , Grow your own Current Tank Info: Marineland 300 DD Tank Custom metal stand , and canopy DIY LED lighting I-Tech Super Beast skimmer . I do not have a tank at this time . I sold the 300 Gal. system

08/02/2009, 08:04 PM	#3
NONNA58 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lutz, Florida Posts: 4,007	Ted, I believe that is a serpulid worm that resided in the tubes. I did not think they did anything other than filter feed. __________________ Sue Proud member of Reef Vision's Community Current Tank Info: 300g reef, 65g seahorse,pipefish, shrimpfish.

08/02/2009, 08:10 PM	#4
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	looks like a filter feeding vermitid snail. My SPS grow around them and vice versa. Not a coral killer IME. __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

08/02/2009, 08:17 PM	#5
evil.konceptz Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa Posts: 166	Perhaps a bristleworm or something else pesky commandeered the tube to sneak attack a snack? I had and unknown tiny(1/2") neon yellow worm take up residence in one of those tubes, couldn't ID him so I just evicted him. It occurred to me that this could explain your situation as well. JAT __________________ -James aka EViL.KoNCEPTz Current Tank Info: 29 gallon AGA standard Non-drilled, Mixed-Reef LPS and Softies

08/02/2009, 09:25 PM	#6
screamincamaro Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,549	I'm pretty sure they dont' harm corals and it's probably an irritant at worst. I have a few SPS that grow around them. __________________ 300g DD, SWC 250a skimmer, 4 MP40wES, Schuran JS1 Reactor, A360WE Kessils, RKE

08/03/2009, 04:40 AM	#7
reefrubble Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fort Myers , Fl. Posts: 5,718	The tubes have been there , for quite a while . The one coral had an area of tissue loss close to the tube . then one morning I see nothing but white skeleton . then I see a branch of a purple Digi all white . that branch was in the same area . So it was good by tube worm . I will keep checking to see if any more damage occurs . Ted __________________ Ted Proud member of SHARK (Spring Hill Area Reef Keepers ) Proud member of TBRC (Tampa Bay Reef Club ) Save the reefs , Grow your own Current Tank Info: Marineland 300 DD Tank Custom metal stand , and canopy DIY LED lighting I-Tech Super Beast skimmer . I do not have a tank at this time . I sold the 300 Gal. system

08/03/2009, 09:24 PM	#8
reefrubble Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fort Myers , Fl. Posts: 5,718	Well I looked in the tank using a flashlight , after lights off , and I saw one of my Emerald crabs eating my Digi . I didn't think Emerald crabs ate corals , but this one was really going to town on my Digi . Has anyone else ever noticed emerald crabs eating corals ? Ted __________________ Ted Proud member of SHARK (Spring Hill Area Reef Keepers ) Proud member of TBRC (Tampa Bay Reef Club ) Save the reefs , Grow your own Current Tank Info: Marineland 300 DD Tank Custom metal stand , and canopy DIY LED lighting I-Tech Super Beast skimmer . I do not have a tank at this time . I sold the 300 Gal. system

08/03/2009, 09:41 PM	#9
screamincamaro Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 1,549	They are opportunistic feeders....scavengers. They run out of their preferred food source and it's on to the next thing on the food chain. __________________ 300g DD, SWC 250a skimmer, 4 MP40wES, Schuran JS1 Reactor, A360WE Kessils, RKE

08/04/2009, 07:33 AM	#10
GlassReef Got Reef Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 2,501	Sorry to hear about the lost corals, Ted. Wasn't that really nice blue one from Emmitt was it? __________________ Tom No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it remains stationary.

08/06/2009, 10:53 AM	#12
Camocustom98 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Port Richey, FL Posts: 88	most likely the emerald crabs, I have seen them pick at certain things....Crabs are EviL!!! __________________ Daniel