Mushroom Parasite?

Some of my mushrooms are infested with what looks like a parasite, but I
can't find any information on them. I have several different types of
mushrooms, but the infestation seems to be limited to one or two types. The
ones they're concentrated on are dark grayish-green and have a fuzzy
canvas-like texture. They're also on some of the red and the reddish
multi-colored mushrooms. The parasites are slow moving creatures that seem
a little larger than the head of a pin. They're about the same color as
pink coralline algae, and they're almost translucent. They seem to move in
a slow squirting motion. They look like the same creatures I discovered in
my refugium several months ago, but those were a clear translucent color.
None of the other fish or corals appear to be infected, and everything seems
healthy. My reef has been up for almost two years, and other than a few
bouts with ick, I've never had any significant parasite problems. These
things seem to be on the verge of exhausting some of the dark mushrooms. I
hope they don't spread. I haven't plucked the mushrooms yet, but it's
looking like I'm going to have to do something pretty quick. Any help is
appreciated!!
Royce

Are they Flatworms?
Steve

"Royce" wrote in message
...
Some of my mushrooms are infested with what looks like a parasite, but I
can't find any information on them. I have several different types of
mushrooms, but the infestation seems to be limited to one or two types.
The
ones they're concentrated on are dark grayish-green and have a fuzzy
canvas-like texture. They're also on some of the red and the reddish
multi-colored mushrooms. The parasites are slow moving creatures that
seem
a little larger than the head of a pin. They're about the same color as
pink coralline algae, and they're almost translucent. They seem to move
in
a slow squirting motion. They look like the same creatures I discovered
in
my refugium several months ago, but those were a clear translucent color.
None of the other fish or corals appear to be infected, and everything
seems
healthy. My reef has been up for almost two years, and other than a few
bouts with ick, I've never had any significant parasite problems. These
things seem to be on the verge of exhausting some of the dark mushrooms.
I
hope they don't spread. I haven't plucked the mushrooms yet, but it's
looking like I'm going to have to do something pretty quick. Any help is
appreciated!!
Royce

Yes, they sound like flatworms to me as well. You can siphon them off with
flexible airline tubing.

Marc


Steve \"Srfmon\" wrote:

Are they Flatworms?
Steve

"Royce" wrote in message
...
Some of my mushrooms are infested with what looks like a parasite, but I
can't find any information on them. I have several different types of
mushrooms, but the infestation seems to be limited to one or two types.
The
ones they're concentrated on are dark grayish-green and have a fuzzy
canvas-like texture. They're also on some of the red and the reddish
multi-colored mushrooms. The parasites are slow moving creatures that
seem
a little larger than the head of a pin. They're about the same color as
pink coralline algae, and they're almost translucent. They seem to move
in
a slow squirting motion. They look like the same creatures I discovered
in
my refugium several months ago, but those were a clear translucent color.
None of the other fish or corals appear to be infected, and everything
seems
healthy. My reef has been up for almost two years, and other than a few
bouts with ick, I've never had any significant parasite problems. These
things seem to be on the verge of exhausting some of the dark mushrooms.
I
hope they don't spread. I haven't plucked the mushrooms yet, but it's
looking like I'm going to have to do something pretty quick. Any help is
appreciated!!
Royce



--
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Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

I'm not sure if they're flatworms. I'll have to do a little research to
decide. The creatures I found in the sump (that these are similar to) had a
forked tail. They almost looked kind of like a squid or octopus with a
forked tail, but sure didn't move in the same way. It's really tough to
describe. They stuck to the glass and kind of squirted along. Good idea
Marc. I'll try to suck them out. On the negative side, I'm thinking the
mushroom will just close up, but that still sounds like the best idea so
far.

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
Yes, they sound like flatworms to me as well. You can siphon them off
with
flexible airline tubing.

Marc


Steve \"Srfmon\" wrote:

Are they Flatworms?
Steve

"Royce" wrote in message
...
Some of my mushrooms are infested with what looks like a parasite, but
I
can't find any information on them. I have several different types of
mushrooms, but the infestation seems to be limited to one or two
types.
The
ones they're concentrated on are dark grayish-green and have a fuzzy
canvas-like texture. They're also on some of the red and the reddish
multi-colored mushrooms. The parasites are slow moving creatures that
seem
a little larger than the head of a pin. They're about the same color
as
pink coralline algae, and they're almost translucent. They seem to
move
in
a slow squirting motion. They look like the same creatures I
discovered
in
my refugium several months ago, but those were a clear translucent
color.
None of the other fish or corals appear to be infected, and everything
seems
healthy. My reef has been up for almost two years, and other than a
few
bouts with ick, I've never had any significant parasite problems.
These
things seem to be on the verge of exhausting some of the dark
mushrooms.
I
hope they don't spread. I haven't plucked the mushrooms yet, but it's
looking like I'm going to have to do something pretty quick. Any help
is
appreciated!!
Royce



--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com