This guy came attached to my new Merulina. When I first saw the tube I figured it was some kinda fanworm..
It casts out a thin mucous-like string into the current, sometimes it extends several inches from its tube. Occasionally it "reels" it back in.. then casts it out again. Often the strand becomes entangled in the nearby Merulina.. I've never seen anything like this, and I'm wondering if it could be detrimental to the coral.. At best.. it makes it look a bit messy at times... What do you think? The Merulina is about 5 inches wide.. and the critter's tube is maybe 1/4 inch across...
It casts out a thin mucous-like string into the current, sometimes it extends several inches from its tube. Occasionally it "reels" it back in.. then casts it out again. Often the strand becomes entangled in the nearby Merulina.. I've never seen anything like this, and I'm wondering if it could be detrimental to the coral.. At best.. it makes it look a bit messy at times... What do you think? The Merulina is about 5 inches wide.. and the critter's tube is maybe 1/4 inch across...
