yellow transparent balls? -- 04/22/10
<Hello>
I have a 55 gallon salt aquarium and I am not understanding what these growing things are. They are about the size of a dime in diameter and seems to have a yellowish transparent layer for the exterior part of it and I can see lots of tubes inside. I would like to know if they are good or bad to have in the tank and maybe find a purpose for them.
<I think these are sponges>
I did not remove them yet due to they may be some kind of good living thing.
<They are indeed..a beneficial filter feeder>
I am kind of new to the saltwater tanks. Here is a picture to help explain this matter.
<Have a read/ look here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sponges.htm>
Sorry best pictures I could take.
<No problem. Simon>

Something Growing on My Rock? Snail Egg Casings -- 4/11/10
<Hello Bill, Lynn here today.>
I have a 90 gal salt tank 1 large lion-fish, 1 large eel (yellow with black dots), 1 large black pointy sea urchin, 4 conch snails,
<Do you know what variety/species?>
..many Mexican turbo snails, 1 brittle starfish, 1 chocolate starfish, about 80lbs of rock, water tests good most of the time.
<Need to aim for all of the time!>
I use a 1200 gph pump with overflow to sump containing miracle mud and mangroves and a canister filter and turbo twist UV light and a water chiller for temp with average 78 degrees. Can you identify what these things are growing off my rock see picture!
<Yep, they're snail egg casings, possibly left by a Melongenid (Family Melongenidae), which includes species commonly referred to as Conchs and Whelks. The casings you have are definitely not from a Fighting Conch (Strombus alatus or Strombus pugilis), or a Queen Conch (Lobatus/Strombus gigas), all of which are in the Family Strombidae. Their egg masses resemble an amorphous tangle of gelatinous string embedded with sand. Please see the following links for examples:
Strombus alatus (aka the Florida Fighting Conch): http://www.jaxshells.org/1562anne.htm
Strombus pugilis (aka the West Indian Fighting Conch): http://www.jaxshells.org/1540anne.htm Here's an example of a Melongenid's egg casings, specifically Melongena corona (aka the Crown Conch). They're a bit more rounded than the ones you have, but you can see the similarity (and they do vary): http://www.jaxshells.org/mcegg3.htm
Here's another Melongenid example, the Channeled Whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus). Busycotypus/Busycon species' casings are similar but usually have a bit more surface texture (not as smooth): http://www.turtlejournal.com/?m=201002&paged=2
By the way, it looks like you have a nice little population of beneficial Collonista snails, aka 'Mini-Turbos', roaming the rocks! You can find more information on these at WWM. Just enter Collonista in the Google search engine: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/Googlesearch.htm >
Thanks Bill V
<You're very welcome. Take care, Lynn Zurik>

Two ID's if you please 3/26/10
Hello to the crew,
Hope you are taking some time away from the monitors/keyboards to enjoy some of the nicer weather! Two simple (I hope) questions this day:
I was cleaning some hair algae (hate the stuff) from a small specimen in my isolation tank and a 'critter' fell from the underside. Considering the rock was not much bigger then a Toonie (Canadian don'cha know), I wondered how it could remain hidden. The roundish portion is harder as a shell would be, but appears translucent. I have perused your snail ID pgs, but have yet to see similar - would you know what it is? Also, do I keep it... or cook it with garlic?
Second item: I purchased what was touted to be a red Galaxaura rugosa macro algae from a not so local fish store, but the coloration seems too dark - also, the growth does not seem to be in rings but rather in 'sausage links'. The older, inner, branches have what appear to be calcium showing - but only on the thickest ones. Is it what I was told or another?
Thanks for the time you take to help all of us in the hobby.
Richard J.C.
Rich... did you intend to attach some images here? Really need these to help you. Cheers, Bob Fenner
Two ID's if you please - sorry 'bout that 3/27/10
Ok, tell me off, I deserve it... coffee then read and send, I remember now.
<Now having my cafe... for the first, see WWM re "Scutus", the second is a Rhodophyte... maybe an Amphiroa or Galaxaura sp.; see here re:
http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgae.htm
Here are the pics.
Richard J.C.
<BobF>

Help ID Please 3/12/10
Wet Media
<Dom>
I live in Florida and purchased live rock from a local live rock farmer.
I have notice two different life form growing on the rock, they are probably very common species. I have seen the coral on various shell and rocks found along the shore. Thank you for your help.
<Mmm, tis a Glass Anemone (Aiptasia sp.) and a Montastrea sp., a member of the stony coral family Faviidae. Bob Fenner>
Dominick Perrone Jr.