Coral Eating Worm?

Discussion in 'Coral Diseases' started by OnlyTono, Feb 28, 2015.

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  1. OnlyTono

    OnlyTono Spaghetti Worm

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    Glendale AZ
    Great resource. I'll be bookmarking hat one.
    If someone had told me about it as well, I don't think I would have believed it either. I was stunned when I finally caught a glimpse of this guy going to work on my coral
     
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  3. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    It looks like a rock boring worm.Is it possible this worm was just living in a hole on your dieing coral?Not trying to be a wise guy:) but if you were having Alk. problems the 2 may be completely unrelated.
     
  4. OnlyTono

    OnlyTono Spaghetti Worm

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    I defiantly had some ALk issues, but that actually happened AFTER this issue started (I made a boneheaded mistake in how I performed the ALK tests and dosed accordingly) But that's for a whole different thread, and it has since been corrected. :)

    I actually observed, on multiple occasions, a worm that looked just like this one (same round head , same eye shape) actually eating the coral. I couldn't catch it, since it was just too fast. I was able to get a pair of tweezes over his body a few times, but then before I could snap them closed, It would retract and disappear into the rock.

    I can't say with 100% certainty this was THE worm I was trying to catch - there could be another. But I'll keep an eye on the coral with my little red flashlight again tonight to see if he comes out.

    Fingers crossed..
     
  5. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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  6. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

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    I had a rock boring worm just like that demolished my sunset montipora. Reef dip ended up doing the trick and getting them out but I believe they cause damage. I was able to save a small piece luckily but it's crazy how it happens.