Wierd worm type thing

[millcityrider]

Every time I take out my flashlight at night and look at the tank I regret it. Last night was no exception.



After looking at all these cool pictures on here of corals under actinic lighting I thought it would be cool to see what my tank looked like under these lights. I switched everything off except the actinics and within minutes these white things about 1/16th of an inch long shot up from the liverock like rocket ships and headed for the surface, squirming the whole way up. Two of them made it to the surface and squirmed around leaving a white residue. Then the fish caught on to what was happening.

It turned into a game for the tangs, the four of them lined up in formation and took turns picking off these worms as they made their way up. After about 10 of these things were devoured I started to get nervous that they were some kind of parasite and I turned all the lights off.

Any Ideas?

Pics would be impossible, I have pretty good vision and the best I can describe them is solid white, 1/16th of an inch that wiggles seemingly without any goal but making it to the surface. They shot up so fast it was like they had an air bubble inside them.

My idea is a larva of some sort.


I know my tank has a population of terebellidae and small bristle worms. I can also scoop water off the the surface at night and capture a whole bunch of pods, could they be related?

thanks in advance.

 

[Greg Hiller]

I cannot say I know what they are, but seems to me to have that much life coming out of your rock is a good thing. That the fish like them is even better.

 

[millcityrider]

I thought the same thing, the more life the better. And if the fish like it that makes it better still.

I find it a little concerning that people who have been in this hobby for many many years haven't come across this. This tank has been established for about 2 years and thats about as far as my sw knowledge. So far I have been very lucky.

I just hope its not something bad. We'll see.

 

[jbishop]

Its probably something good. If the fish eat them I would be happy.

 

[RayD]

Pods by scooping water? I'm jealous.

+1 on Greg's comments!

 

[nicks387]

critters

I get these little guys in my tank too. If you leave the lights off and get a flashlight on the glass they will come to the light and dance around it so fast its unbelievable. They are small white snake like and verry fast. They are attracted to light, thats why they went to the surface because the actintics were on. They are nothing to worry about. If they are not bothering anything don't worry about them. And if the fish are eating them thats a bonus.
Nick.

 

[millcityrider]

I get these little guys in my tank too. If you leave the lights off and get a flashlight on the glass they will come to the light and dance around it so fast its unbelievable. They are small white snake like and verry fast. They are attracted to light, thats why they went to the surface because the actintics were on. They are nothing to worry about. If they are not bothering anything don't worry about them. And if the fish are eating them thats a bonus.
Nick.

That matches the description. They must come out at night and the actinics provided just enough light for the fish to go after them.