help id coral invaders please

[Gary_T]

I bought this coral a few weeks ago. It was starting to recede around the edges, and had what appeared to be a damaged spot. Within a day, the receding edges were gone, and the damaged spot was also hidden. Unfortunately, the damaged spot was actually some kind of invader, and had simply not responded as fast as the coral. They are quite obvous in the picture.

I have three questions:
1) I know they're some kind of worm, but can anyone be more specific?
2) How harmful are they?
3) How can I get rid of them, without seriously damaging the coral?

 

[Anonymous]

I think what you're seeing is some type of sessile invert that has settled on the coral skeleton. The flesh then grows around it. I have a couple barnacles on a green open brain that look very similar to this, and they don't do any harm. It doesn't look like your coral is being harmed by it, so I would just leave it be.

 

[Hippocampus Whoresea]

I've got them as well.........I forget the species that I would up getting from researching them........but they are fine.

They look to be the same......and if in fact they are....you need not worry.......since you don't have a positive ID......just keep an eye on them and see how they fare being where they are.........