What is this on my torch?

[Coast2CoastReef]

I recently noticed on my hg torch a bunch of tube like things growing out of the base. Further investigation I saw damage at the base. The damage could be from cleaning but I’m unsure. The tubes have feeding strands and look like they’ve bored into the base. Any idea on what this and how to treat?

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

Here’s a better picture of the hole

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Coral-boring Spionid Worms - the two feeding strands from each hole are called palps. You don't want these worms spreading.

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

Coral-boring Spionid Worms - the two feeding strands from each hole are called palps. You don't want these worms spreading.

What’s the best way to treat?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

What’s the best way to treat?

Honestly, at this point, any treatment is experimental. In-tank treatments for bad infestations have been done with some very mixed results, so dips using Ivermectin and Agri-Mectin seem to be the current hope, but there's no guarantee of success (again, this is experimental):

Those are Spionid for sure. One guy told me he dipped a lot of his LPS with good results.

May be worth a try if the coral is dying anyway.

Try this dose:

1% Ivermectin (get at any feed store or online)
Approximately 8-9 drops per 473mL.
473mL = 1/8 gallon or 1 Pint.
I dip for 1 hour.

Report back if you do.

If the dip doesn't work, then getting rid of the coral before they spread is the best option at this point.

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

Honestly, at this point, any treatment is experimental. In-tank treatments for bad infestations have been done with some very mixed results, so dips using Ivermectin and Agri-Mectin seem to be the current hope, but there's no guarantee of success (again, this is experimental):

If the dip doesn't work, then getting rid of the coral before they spread is the best option at this point.

so I did an experimental dip today in a 5g with a power head and heater. I added 5mL of ivermectin. The first coral I dipped was a hammer. I let it sit for 45 mins. At about minute 15 I started to see the worms floating in the water. The second coral was a torch. I placed in the qt for about 15 minutes and videoed the whole process. Both corals have bounced back as of today. The torch being less affected seems to have been almost unbothered. I am going to reevaluate tomorrow and see what progress has been made. As of right now, there are no visual worms left on the base of the frags. I will be looking to treat the display tank but want to see how this plays out first. I have not done the torch in the original post yet either. Once I gather more info I intend to do that one next. I appreciate the input.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I will be looking to treat the display tank but want to see how this plays out first.

The thread below would be a good place to look for DT treatment:

1% Ivermectin (in-tank) Treatment for Coral Boring Spionid Worms

Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. It’s not reef safe. I will not take any responsibility for anyone crashing their system. I DO NOT recommend anybody try this. :-) Ivermectin used: AGRI-MECTIN 1% Potency: (1 mL = 10mg) Expiration date: 11/24 Start Date: Sunday 07/28/24 System info: 105/G...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Dburr1014]

so I did an experimental dip today in a 5g with a power head and heater. I added 5mL of ivermectin. The first coral I dipped was a hammer. I let it sit for 45 mins. At about minute 15 I started to see the worms floating in the water. The second coral was a torch. I placed in the qt for about 15 minutes and videoed the whole process. Both corals have bounced back as of today. The torch being less affected seems to have been almost unbothered. I am going to reevaluate tomorrow and see what progress has been made. As of right now, there are no visual worms left on the base of the frags. I will be looking to treat the display tank but want to see how this plays out first. I have not done the torch in the original post yet either. Once I gather more info I intend to do that one next. I appreciate the input.

Wow 5ml.
Thanks for the update.

 

[Reef Wizard]

Coral-boring Spionid Worms - the two feeding strands from each hole are called palps. You don't want these worms spreading.

Can you explain the difference in coral boring spionid worms and spirorbid worms

To me this look like harmless spirobid worms and I also have these in my tank similar to OP

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

Day 2 post dip. I have no visual worms on the torch or the hammer. Both have recovered extremely well. Currently dipping the torch from the original post. I will post the pictures here soon of the dip in progress and the after results.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Can you explain the difference in coral boring spionid worms and spirorbid worms

To me this look like harmless spirobid worms and I also have these in my tank similar to OP

The Spirorbids are the little spiral shaped tubes; the Spionids are the tubes that jut straight out just a little way out of the skeleton and have two long, hair-like appendages sticking out to feed with.

The appendages (called palps) are how I generally ID them - you can see them on the left side of the coral in the first pic; they're most visible up by the frag plug/base of the coral.

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

The thread below would be a good place to look for DT treatment:

1% Ivermectin (in-tank) Treatment for Coral Boring Spionid Worms

Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. It’s not reef safe. I will not take any responsibility for anyone crashing their system. I DO NOT recommend anybody try this. :-) Ivermectin used: AGRI-MECTIN 1% Potency: (1 mL = 10mg) Expiration date: 11/24 Start Date: Sunday 07/28/24 System info: 105/G...

www.reef2reef.com

I read this one and one other. The only two I have been able to find on treatment. I may place these 3 corals back in the display and see if any pop up anywhere else. I would hate to treat the whole tank and crash my pod cultures. I have a 25g so I don't have the water volume to really dose slowly. It would have to be a half dose. But I am not there yet we shall see how this goes with the dip.

 

[Reef Wizard]

The Spirorbids are the little spiral shaped tubes; the Spionids are the tubes that jut straight out just a little way out of the skeleton and have two long, hair-like appendages sticking out to feed with.

The appendages (called palps) are how I generally ID them - you can see them on the left side of the coral in the first pic; they're most visible up by the frag plug/base of the coral.

So the torch in this case has both on it
Blue is Spirorbids?
Red is Spionids?

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

So the torch in this case has both on it
Blue is Spirorbids?
Red is Spionids?

where you the craters or on the sides they have two feeding tentacles that stick out. I am about to upload the pics here in a minute

So the torch in this case has both on it
Blue is Spirorbids?
Red is Spionids?

pics are uploading now

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

 

[Reef Wizard]

Yeah I see those holes now. Thankfully I dont have those just the white spirals

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

So the torch in this case has both on it
Blue is Spirorbids?
Red is Spionids?

Correct - and as pointed out above.

 

[Dburr1014]

I read this one and one other. The only two I have been able to find on treatment. I may place these 3 corals back in the display and see if any pop up anywhere else. I would hate to treat the whole tank and crash my pod cultures. I have a 25g so I don't have the water volume to really dose slowly. It would have to be a half dose. But I am not there yet we shall see how this goes with the dip.

Yeah, not worth doing in tank.
Just a dip for now. Rinse after, the med gets in the skeleton. A rinse just to insure it's mostly off the coral.

 

[Coast2CoastReef]

Update on the tank. All the corals I dipped are doing great with no visible worms. I believe it worked. If I do see anything pop up I’ll make sure to update the thread!