Not sure what these are

[Caesar305]

Hi everyone! I've had my tank for about 6 months now and noticed these strange looking things in my sump. They look like slugs but I don't see them moving. Also, I see these sticks (for lack of a better word) growing everywhere, on emails, on rocks even on some of my zoas which seem to be killing them. Anyone know what both of these are?

Thanks!

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[DianaKay]

That last picture makes me think what you are wondering about might be Pineapple Sponges. They grow in shaded places and are harmless filter feeders.

Check this (off site) link for other hitchhikers...
http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker.shtml

 

[DianaKay]

The "stick like things" are most likely Vermetid Snails....

 

[NickF]

The sticks are probably Vermetid snails, I've got loads in my tank and they're a pain. I snap them whenever I see them.

 

[DianaKay]

The sticks are probably Vermetid snails, I've got loads in my tank and they're a pain. I snap them whenever I see them.

I have them OUT OF CONTROL in my tank too...
Nastly little boogers, I hate them!

 

[rostervandross]

Those snails! Are they mobile or do they just set up that hard stick skeleton and live inside it?

 

[nanoreefing4fun]

+1 pineapple sponges - harmless filter feeders

 

[Dracko]

I have them OUT OF CONTROL in my tank too...
Nastly little boogers, I hate them!

Sure-fire methods to kill vermetid include covering the ends of their tube openings with superglue gel, reef-safe epoxy, and injecting caustic chemicals such as HCl (muriatic acid) and NaOH (lye), the latter being a better option around calcareous live rock.

 

[Caesar305]

Sure-fire methods to kill vermetid include covering the ends of their tube openings with superglue gel, reef-safe epoxy, and injecting caustic chemicals such as HCl (muriatic acid) and NaOH (lye), the latter being a better option around calcareous live rock.

OMG! Sounds so barbaric! lol. They have completely taken over my tank, they are everywhere!

 

[DianaKay]

OMG! Sounds so barbaric! lol. They have completely taken over my tank, they are everywhere!

They aren't "deadly" and can be removed with a clean small flat screwdriver from areas if you see that they are irritating corals near them. Still, I wish there was a natural predator for them.
I do have one of the BIGGER ONES that I think I will glue shut since @Dracko gave me the idea. It has a tougher larger tube.
That one shoots webs over one of my candy cane corals daily