SooperD November 29, 2012 Share November 29, 2012 Hello All, I have 2 different growths on the underside of my porites coral. The first is a colony of white sponges that is growing around the edge (Pic #1). I am concerned that it will interfere with new growth. The second are two separate small (<1cm) worm like things. They each have one orifice and seem to be spinning a web to catch loose stuff. Pic #2 shows one of them, greenish gray stump attached to rock on which porite is growing, with a pink mouth. I think I just saw it chewing on the poop that my feather duster extrudes..... Are either one of these bad news? Thanks! --S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8 2 RISE November 29, 2012 Share November 29, 2012 Pic 1 doesn't look like a harmful sponge. The ones that can sometimes be a problem are the ones that grow in more of a "matt" sort of pattern. IME at least. I can't really tell from the picture, but Pic 2 sounds like vermetid snails which are definitely a pest and I would suggest getting rid of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind November 30, 2012 Share November 30, 2012 The first looks like pineapple sponge or also called scypha sponge. They are good water filters. The other is vermetid worms and the strings are what it uses to catch detritus to eat. I don't consider either one of them pests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SooperD November 30, 2012 Author Share November 30, 2012 Thanks, super helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k November 30, 2012 Share November 30, 2012 I think that if the sponge is interfering with the growth, prune it back. Neither critter is a pest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SooperD November 30, 2012 Author Share November 30, 2012 the info you guys provided plus this: http://reefbuilders.com/2012/07/23/vermetid-snail-stony-corals/ is enough to make me get rid of the vermetids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L8 2 RISE November 30, 2012 Share November 30, 2012 Exactly the link I was about to post to defend my self! In small numbers I've never had issues, but when they start spreading they can be very densely packed in areas and they become a huge eyesore and seem to bother the corals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SooperD November 30, 2012 Author Share November 30, 2012 Yes there are two of them and although they seem innocent enough now, I don't want it getting out of hand. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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