What the heck is this?

For several weeks I’ve noticed some sort of macro algae stalk growing on an astrea snail in my girlfriend’s tank. Today, it blossomed into what could only be described as a central disk. It also appears to have some nearly invisible polyps that it might be feeding with. Is it a worm? An algae? I’m stumped!

looks like it… really cool when its a whole bunch

Oh, you nailed it!

you found it John. i have had them from time to time . on snails , like yours, or frag plugs. once in a while they proliferate, but mostly just died off afte a while, or little cleaning. they do look like cool little umbrellas though.