Digitate Hydroid Worms.Good or Bad?

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by T.Lites, Sep 17, 2008.

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  1. T.Lites

    T.Lites Plankton

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    I recently had these little guys start popping up all of the place.

    [​IMG]


    They're Digitate Hydroid Worms.They only come out at night and quickly recede back into the rocks when the lights come on.

    Question: Are these guys bad for my tank? I read both good things and bad things(That seems to be the trend).I heard they're harmless filter feeders and I've also heard that they can get out of control and start stinging and killing coral.

    I don't know anything about these worms.I do know that I am beginning to see more pop which has me a little bit concerned.Any advice on getting rid of them or just dealing with them would be great.Thanks.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2008
    T.Lites, Sep 17, 2008
    T.Lites, Sep 17, 2008
    #1

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  2. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    They're bad. They sting and spread quickly.
     
    missionsix, Sep 17, 2008
    missionsix, Sep 17, 2008
    #2
  3. geekdafied

    geekdafied 3reef Sponsor

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    Well considering that pic came from melevsreef.com and thats a pic from Marc's tank. You might wanna read his site about them.


     
    geekdafied, Sep 17, 2008
    geekdafied, Sep 17, 2008
    #3
  4. sweetriden76

    sweetriden76 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    I have a couple of these also, should we be worried, that info wasnt really a definative yes or no...and is there anything you can even do other then kill th rock its in...
     
    sweetriden76, Sep 17, 2008
    sweetriden76, Sep 17, 2008
    #4
  5. jimw369

    jimw369 Fire Shrimp

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    jimw369, Sep 17, 2008
    jimw369, Sep 17, 2008
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  6. geekdafied

    geekdafied 3reef Sponsor

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    I would assume they are harmless because they are filter feeders. They are not the common Hydroids (jellyfish in the polyp stage). If their numbers get high, then I could them being a problem. If they're multiplying at a high rate, its a sign of other problems.
     
    geekdafied, Sep 17, 2008
    geekdafied, Sep 17, 2008
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  7. T.Lites

    T.Lites Plankton

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    I read that you can pluck them out with tweezers, but the they'll grow back if you don't delicately remove the entire body.If you can remove the rock(s),Put the piece(s) in some RO for a few days,Little dudes will be gone.So i've read.Makes sense to me.

    What other problems are we talking about?Obviously supplying proper nutrients for them to thrive on.Is there any thing to rid them from my tank?
     
    T.Lites, Sep 17, 2008
    T.Lites, Sep 17, 2008
    #7
  8. PackLeader

    PackLeader Giant Squid

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    Generally when you have a worm problem that gets out of control its a sign of overfeeding.
     
    PackLeader, Sep 17, 2008
    PackLeader, Sep 17, 2008
    #8
  9. T.Lites

    T.Lites Plankton

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    Whats Kalk paste and how do you make?Is it that calcium kallwassser(???)stuff and you make a paste out it?.I read you make a paste and patch up the holes.Or can i use some Marine epoxy and be cool with it.Sounds like it would work.
    Definitely not over feeding.I've got 1 skunk clown (in a 110 tall) that gets fed like 2 pieces of flake food twice a week and my hermits are full on snails and pods.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2008
    T.Lites, Sep 17, 2008
    T.Lites, Sep 17, 2008
    #9