datagovi
New Member
Hi friends! This is my first post, I didn't think I'd ever go beyond lurking. I really hope I do this right . Today I purchased four cerith snails to add to the two I have in my cycled 16 gallon tank, which also has a dove snail and a margarita snail (which hopefully isn't too many, I just love how hard the two ceriths I have work at cleaning algae!) I am currently drip acclimating them as well as the mocha storm clownfish I purchased (will be my first fish addition).
This is a long-winded introduction, but here's where I need help. The guy bagged me three normal looking ceriths, as well as a fourth that has a gnarly shell (I'll include photos) and looks like he's existed for 50 years. I didn't think anything of it until I noticed that there are very small critters living inside the tube-like structures on his shell. I worried that they were vermetid snails, but they don't seem to be. They are a fan-like shape. If I touch near them, they'll immediately retract. I will try to use my loupe underwater to show what they look like. There are four of the critters in the photo. I'm sorry they're so bad! Is this something I would rather not have in my tank, or is it harmless? I don't want it to be something annoying like aiptasia, vermetid snails, etc. that I have to try to get rid of. I have no clue what it be. I could try returning him if it's something bad and swap him out, or just put him in my tank if it's safe and won't spread. Thank you so, so much in advance!
EDIT: Could it be colonial tunicates? I just found mention of those on this platform. If it is, should I return him?
This is a long-winded introduction, but here's where I need help. The guy bagged me three normal looking ceriths, as well as a fourth that has a gnarly shell (I'll include photos) and looks like he's existed for 50 years. I didn't think anything of it until I noticed that there are very small critters living inside the tube-like structures on his shell. I worried that they were vermetid snails, but they don't seem to be. They are a fan-like shape. If I touch near them, they'll immediately retract. I will try to use my loupe underwater to show what they look like. There are four of the critters in the photo. I'm sorry they're so bad! Is this something I would rather not have in my tank, or is it harmless? I don't want it to be something annoying like aiptasia, vermetid snails, etc. that I have to try to get rid of. I have no clue what it be. I could try returning him if it's something bad and swap him out, or just put him in my tank if it's safe and won't spread. Thank you so, so much in advance!
EDIT: Could it be colonial tunicates? I just found mention of those on this platform. If it is, should I return him?
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It looks like those are some kind of feather duster worm based on the tubes at the base of the "feathers". Definitely beneficial and the snail is a keeper.
