Live Rock Hitchhiker Id

[Yosef]

So, I just got 60 lbs of live rock for my 70 gallon FOWLR, and I immediately noticed a bunch of thin white strands about 6-12 inches long, floating around the tank and tangled in the rock. As far as I can tell, they aren't stinging (by me touching them...whoops) but they kind of detract from the aesthetics of the tank. Anyone know what they could be? I would post a picture if I could get my camera to focus on them, but so far I haven't been able to get any good pictures.

 

[-Nemo-]

Nothing comes right to mind for me...
But most likely they will settle down into the rock and sand in time.

 

[Morri]

it could just be bacterial strings no hitchhicker I can think of would have a 6 - 12" tentacle

 

[seffieuk]

Yosef to the Salty side

Must admit I can't think of anything either how about telling us a bit about yourself and your tank, maybe introduce yourself in 'Meet the Salties' and start a Journel we love watching tanks develop

Seffie x

 

[nick87]

It could possibly be a Spaghetti worm.

 

[Morri]

without a picture its hard to tell

 

[Yosef]

Well ok, I pulled most of them out earlier today anyway so hopefully they won't reappear anytime soon. There are however some different whitish strands I found that could be bad. I'll try to get a decent picture tomorrow, but basically they're about 1-2 inches long, radiating outward from a central point on the live rock (as if they were tentacles) and occasionally they can be seen moving around. Also, at night I have an array of blue moonlight LEDs and recently I noticed that there are a few patches of algae or something on the rock that fluoresce orange at night! Any ideas what this stuff is?

Thanks for all the welcomes guys! I guess I'll eventually introduce myself formally here soon...

 

[nick87]

Does it look something like this?

 

[Yosef]

Yep, that's basically it. Do you know what it is?

 

[nick87]

Yep, that's basically it. Do you know what it is?

Yeah, it's a Spaghetti worm.

As far as i am aware they are harmless and ok to leave in the tank.

 

[seffieuk]

Indeed, harmless and part of a natural reef

Seffie x

 

[Yosef]

Excellent! They're pretty interesting to watch actually, especially at night when they grope around with their tentacles.

I finally figured out how to get pictures of the longer white strands, I'll try to post some tomorrow.