Coral parasites?

[tucc185]

Anyone have an idea of what this could be? A good size piece of Colt leather coral arrived at my work with some small, translucent whitish worm-like things attached to the end of some of the stalks. The worms are about 4mm long, with a split head (or tail) at the end. Are they harmful? the coral doesn't seem to be doing well-could that be the cause? any treatments?

 

[skyedolphan]

my guess would be a nudi? do you have the calfo/fenner reef invert book?

 

[tucc185]

yeah, I checked the book, they're definitely not those nudis. They look like a really common parasite you see on aquatic turtles that are wild-caught. Planarians? I think
that's the name.

 

[tucc185]

They look like a very simple organism, and they look attached or embedded in the tips of the stalks

 

[NateHanson]

flatworms? Try a coral disinfecting dip like Lugols, maybe?

 

[dad300]

Check on Dr rons forum onRC.I remember a link about worms that lick corals and gorgonians to death. Basically they get on one the end and lick there way through it.