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FAQs about Live Rock Hitchhiker/Creature Identification
20
Related Articles: Live Rock, Reef
Systems, Refugiums,
Related FAQs:
Live Rock, Answering Some LR FAQs by James Fatherree,
LR Hitchhiker ID 1, LR Hitchhiker ID 2,
LR Hitchhiker ID 3, LR Hitchhiker
ID 4,
LR Hitchhiker ID 5,
LR ID 6, LR
ID 7, LR ID 8,
LR ID 9, LR ID 10,
LR ID 11, LR ID 12, LR
ID 13,
LR ID 14, LR ID 15,
LR ID 16, LR ID17,
LRID 18,
LRID 19, & Non-Vert IDs 1,
Tubeworm ID, Polychaete
Identification, Live Rock 1,
LR 2, LR 3, LR 4,
LR 5, Curing Live Rock,
Live Rock Selection,
Shipping/Moving, Placement,
Lighting, Water Quality,
Live Rock Studies in Fiji Collaboration &
Charts, Copper Use, Marine
Landscaping, Marine Biotope, Sumps,
Refugiums, Faux
Rock, |  |
Fluffy
beige stuff, LR HH ID f' – 11/03/09
Hi Guys,
<And Gals Nan>
I have looked over your site as best I can as it is one large and
informative place and have not been able to find an answer. My guess is
that it is there but I am not computer savvy enough to pull it up :(.
<Wish I was better at making all more easily available>
I have a 180 gal reef tank that has been up and running for several
years now. I have had some problems off and on but have been able to
resolve most of them, up until now. A brief rundown : Eco system
filtration, Tunze circulating pump, small Red Sea skimmer, well water
run through Kati/Ani system. Livestock of several soft corals- the
mushrooms thrive, a few stonies, one large Sebae anemone, a few feather
dusters and some sponges that hide under the rocks. 6 large fish and
several smaller ones. Misc crabs and snails and a few small bristle
worms. I trapped the jumbo ones out some time ago. Water parameters: SpG
0.024, <1.024> ph 8.3, Alk 4meq, ca 450, the rest 0 with use of Tropic
Marin Pro salt.
For a couple years I have noticed what looked like minute soft 'antlers'
on the underside of the rocks. As they didn't seem to hurt anything and
would be difficult to remove I left them there. Recently I have noticed
a beige sediment occurring on the top of the rock along with these fuzzy
antlers. I can blow the sediment off and it turns the water murky but
the antlers stay. I have tried to suck it off with water changes but
that is
impractical as the corals get in the way. I thought about tearing the
whole thing down, cleaning it and starting over but that seems a bit
drastic. I did attempt to take a pic for you but it didn't really show
much.
Any idea what I may be dealing with and how to get rid of it?
Thanks,
Nancy D
<Mmm, best guesses are either some sort of sponge life, or an algae...
Neither are really detrimental, may well be beneficial in many
ways/aspects, and I would leave them in place. Just "blow water" about
these areas during water change-outs. Bob Fenner>
Re: fluffy beige stuff
11/3/09
I can do that. In fact, it sounds like a quick and simple fix.
Thanks,
N
<Ahh, welcome Nan. BobF>
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Live Rock Hitchhikers: Chiton and Whelk – 10/9/09
<Hello Glenn, Lynn here this evening.>
I was hoping you could confirm a couple of live rock hitchhikers and
maybe give some more information.
<Will sure try.>
Currently I got 50 lbs. of live rock curing in quarantine and I came
across these two beauties.
<Neat! The pinkish, mottled, low-rider is a beneficial, herbivorous
Chiton. The black and yellow snail is a whelk of some sort.>
Should I remove them or are they reef and invert safe?
<Keep the Chiton, lose the whelk.>
This rock will eventually end up in my 180 gallon tank with fish,
squamosa clam, diadema urchin, snails, Acropora and Montipora coral.
<Nice!>
I believe one is a flat worm maybe a Polyclad but not sure.
<Good news, it’s not! It’s a neat little Chiton (Polyplacophoran). For
more information, please see the following link:
http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=298&p=3108&hilit=chiton#p3108
>
The other is a snail in the Buccinidae family.
<Oh yes indeed. It’s a whelk alright, and very similar to one I’ve seen
before. It’s in the family Buccinidae Pisaniinae, most likely in the
genus Engina (Pusiostoma), and I wouldn’t trust it around a corner.
Please see the FAQ titled “Black and yellow snail ID: Engina
(Pusiostoma) sp. - 5/2/08” at the following link for more information
and a photo: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailid16.htm
Here are two possibilities (knowing location of origin will help rule
in/out possibilities): Engina histrio:
http://www.gastropods.com/0/Shell_53500.shtml
Or Engina alveolata fusiformis:
http://www.gastropods.com/0/Shell_20970.shtml
More from this genus at this link:
http://www.gastropods.com/Taxon_pages/TN_Family_BUCCINIDAE_PISANIINAE.shtml
>
In addition I have about ten Aiptasia or Anemonia that I’ve got to get
rid of
<Good thinking - get rid of any pest anemones now.>
..and identify three little crabs.
<Next time you see them, count the walking legs. Do they have three on
each side plus two claws, or four on each side (plus claws)? In general,
three legs = porcelain crab of some sort and not likely much of a
problem. Four legs = true crab and a potential concern. If you can get
some good photos, do send them along and we’ll take a look. If possible,
leave the crab submerged in tank/container while photographing. Include
a shot from above showing the carapace and all legs, and one from the
front showing the claws. You can learn a lot about a crab from just
looking at those claws!>
All I can say is quarantining my live rock has saved me a ton of trouble
down the road.
<You are wise, grasshopper! Good luck and enjoy!>
Glenn
<Take care, LynnZ>
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Saltwater Hitchhikers - Wanted or Unwanted? - 10/07/2009
re: saltwater PESTS :-(
Hi
<Hey there!>
I got 60 pounds of live rock from a friend these rocks were in his
tank for about 2 years. I placed them in my tank about 2 months ago
and this is where it all starts. I have noticed many little white
snails, AIPTASIA, Hydroids, BRISTLEWORMS, SPIONID WORMS, AMPHIPODS,
COLLONISTA SNAILS or maybe SUNDIAL SNAILS.
What do you recommend, should i clean out the tank and start all
over again or .... ? Please advise.
<Mmm, I would not. Most of the things you have listed are a good
thing, and will not be a detriment to your tank -- the small white
snails, the bristleworms, the Spionid worms, amphipods, and
Collonista snails are all
welcome visitors and will help with detritus removal from the tank.
The Hydroids, aiptasia and sundial snails can be problems, but can
be treated -- read here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hydrozoans.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pestsnailfaqs.htm and related links
above.
-JustinN>
My tank 90 gallon about 3 months old
also 90 gallon sump in the basement, deep sand bed and Chaeto in
tank i got
2 clown
1 Chromis
1 yellow tail damsel
1 blood shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp
2 peppermint shrimp
1 fox-face
10 mixed snails
1 mushroom
1 polyp
1 zoo
1 hammer head
Thanks
Dan
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Sponge I.D. 9/28/09
Hi Crew,
Have a sponge id I'm hoping you guys can confirm or help with a kick in
the right direction. I know they're hard to id due to the 1000's of
species, but after scouring databases and WWM, I believe this to be
Spirastrella vagabunda.
<Mmm... I don't think so, but...>
I have thought this from their first appearance on the new live rock,
but they have spread to 50% of the live rock(colonies approximately the
size of quarters and dimes) in a 55 gallon aquarium in less than 3
weeks. I wasn't aware of this species reproducing at such high rates.
Hopefully the pictures aren't absolutely horrible. I'm an avid diver and
aquarist.... but a HORRIBLE photographer. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
--
~ Glenn
<Your pix show definitely some sort of sponge, but also I think an
encrusting algae... Definitive ID to at least Class... could be done
with a simple microscope and reference. Bob Fenner>
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Re: Sponge I.D., control
9/29/2009
Mr. Fenner,
Thank you for the quick response. I have "Systema Porifera: A Guide to
the Classification of Sponges"
<!? Wow:
http://www.amazon.com/Systema-Porifera-Guide-Classification-Sponges/dp/0306472600
Have you a 'scope?>
and a couple of pocket reef guides by Ned DeLoach, but have found
nothing that really identifies the sponge beyond class, Spheciospongia.
My concern is that the rate of growth I am seeing is an indication
that this is an unwanted organism in my systems.
<A subjective evaluation... but do agree with you concerning
overgrowth... Can be undesirable>
Any opinion there?
<Rock removal and careful scrubbing... or more extreme... bleaching,
rinsing, air-drying>
The 55 gallon containing my new spongy critters is only used for qt of
rock and seeding rock. Thank you again.
Glenn Fritz
<Oh... bleached rock can be reinoculated with some new placed about...
BobF>
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Growth on Rocks
9/16/09
I have a greenish encrusting substance growing and spreading on my
rocks.
<I see this...>
It was recommended that a pencil urchin be introduced to eliminate it.
<Nah... not an algae; even if so, not all are palatable...>
The urchin has been in the tank for 2 months and will not touch it. I
have a 180 gallon mixed reef with a remote sump, total system is
estimated at 200 gallons. The tank has been running for 3 years. It's
lightly stocked with 2 tangs, royal Gramma, six line wrasse, 2 clowns,
mandarin. Tangs are the largest but no fish is over 3 inches. I cannot
take the rock out of the tank as it is too large and is the base for the
upper rocks. I can peel this off the rocks but cannot get all of it.
Picture is attached. Please identify this for me and recommend a
treatment, as it is spreading out of control and suffocating my corals.
Thanks in advance
R DeNoia
<Is almost assuredly a type/species of Sponge/Poriferan... Please read
here: http://wetwebmedia.com/spongecompfaqs.htm
re Control, and the linked files above for more. The presence, growth of
this life is evidence of your good care, stability here. Bob Fenner>
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Re: Growth on Rocks 9/22/09
I've looked through the FAQ you suggested but cannot find the info I'm
looking for. Do you have any other recommendations or ideas about what
this is and how to get rid of it. I realize it's a sponge but what would
eradicate it from my tank as it's spreading out of control. Thanks
again.
<Is a green encrusting sponge... To eradicate will require removing all
the rock it's attached to, breaking most off with your fingers,
scrubbing with a fine brush, letting the rock dry out. BobF>
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Hitchhiker ID 9/7/09
Hi Crew,
<Hello Tony>
I'm trying to ID something in my tank that showed up on a piece of live
rock that I recently purchased. I've been searching for a while trying
to figure out what it is with no luck. It kinda looks like aiptasia but
I'm
not 100% sure and wanted a second opinion.
<Not aiptasia, but appears to be another type of small anemone, Bob may
accurately ID here.>
Also there is some white stuff kinda behind it that you can see in the
pic.
Is that some type of sponge? I've never seen anything like it.
<Yes, likely a Clathrina specie of sponge, commonly called a Leather
Sponge.>
Thank you in advance for your help.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Tony Watson
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please help me tag these 8/30/2009
Hi!
<G' morrow Mr. G.>
I Googled long and hard trying to identify what this white cotton-like,
flat hairy film is on my live rocks. I thought you might be able to help
me identify them so I know what these may be symptomatic of. I hope the
pics are clear enough for your perusal. Thanks.
Geoffrey
<These are Sponges, Poriferans... evidence of system stability and good
husbandry on your part. See here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/SpongeIDF10.htm
and the linked files above.
Bob Fenner>
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Re: please help me tag these 8/30/09
that's good to hear. now i can rest in peace. ;p thanks bob.
p.s. your site really is a great help to us neophytes. thank you very
much.
<Ahh, welcome Jope. BobF>
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Weird Creature In My Reef Aquarium... Maybe a Spaghetti
Worm? 7/26/2009
Hello,
<Hi Vivian.>
I have tried to research this as much as possible, but I still can
not find any information as to the identity of this "thing" I have
in my aquarium.
<Ok, let's see if we might figure out what this "thing" is.>
It came in a piece of rock with Zoanthids that I bought. It lives
inside what appears to be a calcareous tube, about 1 inch long; 1/8
inch diameter. From this tube it protrudes a white "sort of mouth",
and 2 small white tentacles. It has two kinds of behavior I have
seen. (1) it sends several threads that look like the strands of
a spider web, which attach to rocks. They are quite long (5-6
inches).
Little particles become stuck to the threads and every once in a
while the "thing" begins retracting them into its mouth. (2) Usually
a few minutes after the threads have been completely retracted into
the mouth, the mouth inflates a bit, and expels about 6-8 little
green "dots" that appear to diffuse away in the water. Any ideas
what this is?
<Sounds like a Polychaete worm of some type, possibly a Spaghetti
worm (Terebellidae spp.) A picture might be more helpful. It is not
something I would be worried about. Is likely a harmless filter
feeder.>
Thank you very much. I am SO curious to know.
<Welcome!
Mich>
Vivian
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Unknown Critter..can you help me out
7/18//09
Hey folks!
<Daniel>
First time post here...Let me just say first that your site has provided
me a wealth of information over the years.
<Ah good>
I recently (about 6 months ago now) started up a reef tank again (I had
one going great when living in St. Pete FL but moved to Ohio 2 years ago
to start Ph.D. work so I had to get rid of everything to make the move
easier)...anyway...as I was saying, I started up again as I could not go
without the beauty of reef tank (... it certainly helps relax me at the
end of a school day!!) and everything appears to be doing ok...I really
just have a quick question about this critter(s) that came attached to a
piece of live rock and has been getting larger. I attached a pic...I
want to say that it is a mushroom coral of some sort (or not..lol) but
it appears to have several 'mouths' which I have circled here in yellow.
They are not as prominent in this pic but throughout the day each of
these 'mouths' open and extend the tentacles that surround them...I've
looked WWM up and down yet I am still at a loss...if you could help me
out that would be wonderful!....Thanks in advance!
Take care,
Daniel
<I can't quite make out much detail in this pic (am out traveling and my
laptop may not have sufficient "pitch"/resolution, but this might be a
combination of organisms... Perhaps a sponge with hydroids or other life
living inside its body cavity... Would you please send along a larger
file of better acuity? Bob Fenner>
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Re: Please help with fish
i.d.?/Now Algae ID 7/8/09
Dear Crew/James,
<Luke>
Hi again. Haven't seen the mystery fish since I last emailed you -
occasionally I see a flash of sand as something bolts into the liverock when
I enter the room, I assume this is him (or some other hitchhiker?) fleeing
at my approach.
<Likely.>
Anyhoo, wanted to get your opinion on the algae in the attached pictures
(I'm referring to the feathery, wavy stuff).
Cause for alarm?
<Not at this stage.>
It's spreading fairly quickly but not at an alarming rate; I don't know if
the 3 Ceriths or 2 scarlet reef hermits (which I now know shouldn't have
been added at all) are eating it. If it helps, tank is about 3 weeks old.
I've looked through the algae i.d. FAQs but can't seem to match it up to
anything there.
<I couldn't find any exact matches myself, but I'm guessing it could be a
type of
Caulerpa or possibly Crouanophycus latiaxis. Bob or another crew member may
be able to ID it.>
thanks again,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)
-Luke
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Umm, wrong Kingdom James. RMF |
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Please Help With Fish ID/Now
Algae ID 7/10/09
Bob,
<James>
"Umm, wrong Kingdom James. RMF"
Thank you, but remember, I did say I'm guessing.
Better for me not to answer ID queries if I cannot provide an accurate
answer, keeps me from looking like a fool.
<... Don't respond to queries you don't feel qualified to respond to my
friend... helps no one. Think of "Asparagus Ferns" in this case. I don't
think this is a thallophyte...>
Are you all burnt up yet in the Florida sun? A cold longneck just has to
taste good after a day of diving.
<Oooh, now you're talking. BobF>
James
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Hitchhiker ID: Rock-Dwelling Sea Cucumber – 6/17/09
Hi again,
<Hello Elfrieda, Lynn here today.>
Another puzzler for me....6 months into the set-up of my 24gal Aquapod
w/ metal halide light. It appears to be some sort of worm perhaps???
<Actually, what you’re seeing is the feeding apparatus of a
rock-dwelling sea cucumber/holothuroid. For more information, please
start with the FAQ’s titled ”Please help to ID: Sea Cucumber – 6/1/09”
and “Anemone Id? Nope, It’s A Cuke! 8/10/07”, located at the following
link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/cukeidfaqs.htm . Please also note links
within the two FAQ’s.>
The second time I've seen it on the same rock....and the last picture is
just before it disappeared.
<Nice photos!>
Thanks so very much for your time.
<You’re very welcome>
Elfrieda
<Take care, LynnZ>
Re: Hitchhiker ID: Rock-Dwelling Sea Cucumber – 6/17/09
<Hi Elfrieda>
Another look at this stranger....
<Neat!>
Its tentacles appear to be catching food and one by one are drawn into its
'mouth'.
<Good observations - that’s exactly what it’s doing!>
Thanks again,
<You’re very welcome>
Elfrieda
<Take care, LynnZ>
<<A nice short video clip... that RMF doesn't know how to add to WWM...>>
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Thick Brown Tubes Growing From Live Rock
6/17/09
Hello,
<Hi there>
Your site has been a wealth of information, thank you so much. It's been a
good 12 years since I maintained a small 20 gallon reef aquarium in CA where
I did water changes with sea water and enjoyed all the surprises that came
along with it oftentimes. This year, as I embark on setting up a reef tank
once again, I find there is so much more knowledge about reef systems and
it's wonderful. I am having so much fun reading all the information online
and learning so much.
<Great!>
I have an identification inquiry about some thick brown tubes that have
grown from a piece of live rock covered with Star Polyps in my reef system.
<Are sponges of some sort... a burrowing variety/species... Not harmful>
Any input is greatly appreciated, thank you!
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
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Re: Interesting Hitchhiker:
Pseudocorynactis, Hydroids, Foraminiferan – 6/14/09
Lynn and company,
<Hello Roxanne, Lynn here again.>
Thank you so much! That Pseudocorynactis is really nice;
<Yes, indeed.>
there are more of them each day. They are indeed nocturnal; I should have
mentioned that.
<No worries>
That sort of proves that I did not indeed get all Fiji rock though, right?
<Not necessarily>
Since Pseudocorynactis is from the Caribbean,
<Yes, and the Indo-Pacific region as well. See the following link for photos
of Pseudocorynactis spp. in the Philippines:
http://www.poppe-images.com/images/search_results.php?keyword_mh=pseudocorynactis
>
hmmm, so much for LFS ID's on rock!
<They could well have been right!>
Do I need to feed them at this point?
<Probably not – especially if they seem to be multiplying.>
As for the little unknown things I call hydroids, I have attached a picture;
it's the first photo ("hydroidperhaps). There are 2 in the center of the
picture. They are linear, no tube I can see, and there are little dots along
their length.
<Uh-oh>
They are so small - I took a rather grainy photo to try to get them in focus
(they wave around a lot).
<I can see them and yes, those are unfortunately hydrozoans of some sort.>
Are all hydroids "bad" in our tanks? I know they sting (and especially me!),
but other than that??
<Heeee! They’re not bad if you want a hydroid tank! Seriously, I would not
want these in my system. The good news is that sometimes they arrive on live
rock and simply die out without any intervention. The bad news is that
sometimes they don’t. Hydroids can pack a wallop when it comes to stinging
livestock and people so you really don’t want them around. I’d go ahead and
manually remove them with tweezers (or the like). Also, be sure to keep your
nutrient levels low, so feed whatever livestock you have, sparingly. For
more information, please see WWM, starting at the following FAQ page:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hydrozoanfaqs.htm >
Then there is #2 photo here; is this a filtering holothurian?
<Nope, it’s a harmless little foraminiferan, a Protist that feeds on
particulate matter and possibly bacteria. Please see the following links for
more information:
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchodds.html
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/rs/index.php >
Ignore the hermit crab. He was a bit of a mistake, along with his few
friends. They came with an order of other fun stuff from IPSF,
<Love IPSF!>
which I mostly like. I didn't really want crabs, but didn't have the heart
to do away with them.
<Good. If they become a problem, you can always give them away to a fellow
hobbyist or possibly trade them for something at your LFS.>
Thank you so much!
<You’re very welcome!>
Roxanne
<Take care, LynnZ>
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Hope You Can Identify: Syconoid
Sponges – 6/12/09
<Hello, Lynn here today>
I am relatively new (2 months) to SW tank keeping and have a beautiful piece
of LR with a few mushrooms. I've recently noticed that there are now several
white fuzzy "stalks" growing from the rock. They don't move or retract, just
slowly get bigger. I've also now noticed a few isolated one's on other rock.
Any idea what they could be?
<Yes indeed. They’re harmless, filter feeding sponges in the genus Sycon,
also called Syconoid sponges or commonly known as pineapple or Q-tip
sponges. For more information/photos, please see WWM, starting with the
first FAQ at this link (as well as related links at the top of the page):
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spgidf7.htm >
I'm attaching a couple of pictures.
<Yes I see, thank you!>
Thank you.
<You’re very welcome. Take care, LynnZ>
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