Boring parasite on Seriatopora?

[crpeck]

Hi,
Just got a Seriatopora (Bird's Nest) that has some hitchkiker bored into it. I can't get a good look at it to tell just what kind of creature it is. It is black and has bored into a circular hole on the coral. When I tried to pick it out, it receded back into the hole and the top of the creature is flush with the opening. When it comes out, it extends about 2 - 3mm and that's about how big around it is also. At one point, when it was out, I saw "feelers" or transparent "worms" coming out of it.

Here is a picture ... sorry ... will try again to get better focus of the creature and also a picture of the entire coral (approx 3" across) so you can get an idea of it's size in relation to the coral. I'll pass on other tank parameters since they don't have anything to do with the issue.


Please, someone tell me what it is and how to get rid of it.

Thanks!
Cathyhttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/33483seriatoporabug.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/33483seriatopora.jpg

[crpeck]

That picture is awful .. sorry. I'll try to get better if I have to crank up the ole manual focus SLR.

[EricHugo]

Ron would be best able to help you on this. I'd love to, but I am running out of time, and this one will take a few back and forths to determine what it is. There are so many animals that dwell in coral - just about every invert phylum.

[crpeck]

Thanks, Eric.

I'll try Dr. Ron when I can get a better picture. I'm a little discouraged because I can't even get a good look my self let alone with a camera. It's so small and doesn't come out far enough to even get a look as to what kind of body type it has.

As long as I'm not in immediate danger of some pararsite moving through my tank, I'll watch it and try to figure out more information that would help ID it.

Have a great trip to the Keys.

Take care,
Cathy