parasite / algae on rock?

[ronnieroach]

Can anyone identify the brown, stringy things growing out of my rock?

They dont seem to be moving & are thicker than hair algae (that i've seen).

Any guesses?!

Thanks for any & all help!
-Ronnie

 

[ccCapt]

Probably some type of spionid worm.

 

[ronnieroach]

Probably some type of spionid worm.

they're not really worm-like .. they are stiff & dont move

 

[Schism]

If they look green then my guess would be pieces of macro algae, likely chaeto.

Otherwise my guess would be tube worms.

 

[lovemyreef]

I also agree with tube worms. I have them all over in my tank as well.

 

[ronnieroach]

no green .. pale brown, beige looking .. they're very short & look like a closed polyp .. google images for tube worms didnt turn up anything similar, but i dont doubt you guys.

they dont move though, do tubeworms? and are they negative at all?

i tried ripping them out and it was almost impossible (but they're small & i have fat fingers so it wasnt ideal) and a toothbrush did nothing.

its a great piece of building rock, but i think i might just boot it .. or break it and use where they arent

THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!!! i really appreciate it

 

[lovemyreef]

If they are in fact tube worms I would just let them be the are filter feeders and do not hurt my tank at all. They can be like little needles if you have to move rocks around though. I have stabbed myself a few times lol.

 

[Ingy]

Agree on tube worms. Looks like the protective shell they build around themselves.

 

[ezy33]

Gelidium , Red Wiry Turf Algae.