what are these?

[Krystin]

Hi again, I wish I had something to offer besides questions! Anyway, now that my tank is starting to produce strange creatures, it has me nervous, I never know what is good or bad. I keep seeing long, hair-like "feelers" that are definitely alive. They wave around, but retract into the LR when they sense motion. I tried to find info on these critters couldn't find anything similar except spaghetti worms, but the photos of spaghetti worms I saw had many, slightly thicker "feelers". I only see one in each location. Here is a pic of one of them. I've seen at least four in different areas of the tank. (outlined in red).

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

That would be a digitate hydroid. They tend to sting nearby corals and have the potential to spread quickly.

 

[Krystin]

Of course my next question is, what do I do about it? I've written to wetwebmedia, they usually respond quickly but haven't answered my question (it's been over a week). I've checked their site and it seems like there are different answers depending on who is on duty for the day.

I've been told that getting a couple of shrimp might help because they might eat them.

Other options sound very complicated. I suppose if I just try to pull them off they'll just grow back, right?

Have you ever had them before?

~Krystin

 

[djconn]

I don't think that they would ever become a real problem but I could be wrong. I'd just leave them.