LR ID F 28

FAQs about Live Rock Hitchhiker/Creature Identification 28

Related Articles: Live Rock, Reef Systems, Refugiums,

Dear Bob,
Hi Bob,

I put some new live rock in my tank the other day and was looking over the tank later in the evening when I saw a jet of what looked like smoke appearing from the rock! I couldn't trace exactly where it was coming from but it looked similar to cigarette smoke in appearance. Is this an excretion from some critter or spawning perhaps? I'm puzzled.

Thanks,
Paul

The more likely possibility is that this is evidence of a reproductive event, most likely in turn either worms of some sort or mollusks (snails, bivalves). In either case, even if this is foecal material, there is no real worry re the amount, kind of matter polluting your system overmuch. Unfortunately, given the nature of our captive systems'¦ with their abundance of mechanical filtration, and dearth of foodstuffs for larvae, you would have to make some provision for collecting and rearing young of whatever this is in another culture set-up

Marine Critter ID/Chitons 5/22/2011
Hi WetWebMedia,
<Hello James, always liked that name.>
I've been searching around trying to ID the critter in the attached photo. I have had a good search but haven't seen a photo of anything particularly similar although I may be looking in the wrong place!
It is slug-like, approx one inch long, and was on the glass during the night. I have never seen it before and have not seen it for a few days since.
Any help greatly appreciated.
<Your critter is a Chiton. See here.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chitonidf.htm
Kind regards,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
James M

Saltwater Question - Live Rock Creature ID 4/6/11
Hello WWM crew,
<Sharon>
Thank you all for taking the time to help answer the many perplexing questions this hobby provides.
<Welcome>
I've read the site for years but due to the abundance of information I have not had to ask any questions. Today is the day I am stumped. Despite searching whatever terms I could think of I cannot ID this creature. It appeared as a flat *thing*,
<Ahh! Indeed>
maybe 3/4 of an inch in length, and a half inch across. It appears rectangular but the edges are slightly rounded, it almost looks like if you rolled out cookie dough. It is an orangish/tan color. It presented itself on a rock after I rearranged my tank. Attached is a photo showing this creature in a variety of phases, I apologize for the poor quality in advance. The creature began
flat looking, then became somewhat curled up, then became in a "U" shape.
It moved from the rock to the substrate eventually, it was fascinating to watch. I researched various worms but I did not have any luck finding a positive identification. Any help or guidance towards the right path would
be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time,
Sharon
<This is a flatworm of some sort/species. If singular and in a good-sized volume (tens of gallons), I'd leave, enjoy. If there come to be many... Do read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/fltwmcont.htm
and as much of the linked files above as gives you sufficient input to move forward, stay put. Bob Fenner>

Identifying very young anemone (Aiptasia?) 3/21/11
I have something resembling Aiptasia sprouting out of my young live rock.
I read Bob Fenner's excellent article on Aiptasia here, and learned a lot.
But looking at pictures and reading descriptions is not a good way for a person like me, who does not know what to look for, to identify something.
I wonder if there are definitive characteristics of young anemones.
<Mmm, yes... the shape, size of tentacles; if these vary... the mouth, shape/size of column, presence of verrucae, stickiness, colour...>
Actually, if this is an anemone of ANY type I don't want it in my FOWLR tank, right?
<Likely so>
On the other hand, even though I can easily pull the rock and pour boiling water on the thing, I hesitate to indiscriminately kill anything.
It has the characteristic light brown, almost translucent tapered tentacles, about 3/4 inch long right now, growing slowly.
But there are several things about it that don't quite fit:
1) The anemone photos show a large tube with the tentacles surrounding the edge of the tube. But this thing has no such tube. All of the tentacles radiate from a single holdfast on the surface of the rock. Is this how a young anemone looks, or does this rule out an anemone?
<Could be an Anemone... or a Zoanthid... or a single stony coral polyp that has yet to generate much of a skeleton...>
2) There are several of them nearby. One has about a half-dozen tentacles, one is just a single tentacle attached to the rock, and another is just two. Do young anemones start out this way?
<Some can>
3) I read that they have a 'pull back' reaction if touched. But I lightly prodded it with a plastic probe and it has no reaction at all.
<Some species are relatively insensitive to touch>
What do you think? Should I watch and wait? Or just pull the rock and hit it with boiling water?
Thanks! Tim
<I'd wait, observe, enjoy for now. Unless these animals are obviously stinging your fish livestock, they're not likely trouble. Oh, do send along some well-resolved photos when you can. Bob Fenner>

Re: Identifying very young anemone (Aiptasia?) 3/21/11
Bob - Thank you for the reply! This thing is so small that it's hard to get a good picture, but I have attached the best one I could get. The item in question is the tuft of light brown tendrils at the upper-right of the photo.
<Bizarre...>
If you think there is any chance at all that this is Aiptasia, I'd like to get it out now, because as of the moment it is on only one small area of one rock. I'd like to attack before it spreads. But if you think it's
not, or if you think immanent spreading is unlikely, I'll just let it go and keep watch.
<... I'd like to snip a piece off and take a look-see under a scope... to me this looks like some sort of aberrant red(dish) algae more than anything else>
By the way, do you have any idea what that cute little green stalk in the lower-left of the photo might be?
<Yes... a green... Neomeris spp., maybe N. annulata>
Also by the way, I bought and am reading "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" and I just ordered your invertebrate book. Excellent!
Tim
<Thank you Tim. BobF>

Re: Identifying very young anemone (Aiptasia?) 3/21/11
>> I'd like to snip a piece off and take a look-see under a scope <<
Bob - Well, if you thought it would keep through the mail, I'd be happy to mail you a piece. Let me know.
<Mmm, do take a quick read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/microscopfaqs.htm>
I do have a decent microscope, but I have no idea what to look for.
Unfortunately, it's an old-fashioned scope with no attached digital camera, so I can't send you a photo. I do want to buy one of those some day. More toys!
<As you'll see the "QX" series of scopes is really affordable... I have/use one.>
Anyhow, you seem fairly confident that it's not Aiptasia, so I'll just let it go. When it gets significantly bigger I'll send another photo, and maybe it will be more clear then.
<If it's akin to some things I've seen like this before, it will stay the same size, perhaps laterally multiply. Not detrimental chemically or physically>
My inexperienced gut tells me that it's a plant, even though it's not green. Just the way all of those tendrils converge to a single holdfast point makes it resemble a plant.
Tim
<Cheers, BobF>
Re: Identifying very young anemone (Aiptasia?) 3/22/11
Bob - Well, you inspired me to buy another toy. :) I did an online search for computer microscopes, and I found one that costs about twice what a QX costs but has much higher digital resolution (the CCD sensor). As my long-suffering wife knows all too well, I tend to solve problems by throwing money at them. Anyhow, when it arrives I'll snip a piece of that mystery thing and try my hand at a photo-micrograph of it, and send it to you.
Tim
<Sounds good. Thank you, BobF>

Egg Mass? 3/21/11
Hi,
I spotted this tonight and am trying to figure out if it's an egg mass.
Possible culprits could be Tomato Clowns, Porcelain Crabs and Sally Lightfoot Crabs. If I can find out what (if any) type eggs these are then I might be able to get setup to feed the fry in a separate tank.
Thanks,
Richard
<Are you referring to the inverted cone shaped object in the middle of your pic? This is a sponge. Bob Fenner>

Re: Egg Mass? Spg. LR ID 3/22/11
Yes,
That is exactly what I am speaking of. Obviously it must have arrived as a hitchhiker, would it be better to leave it alone or should it be removed?
<I'd leave it be...>
Thanks yet again (and I did name the bristle worm Bruce)
<Hotay! BobF>
Richard

Please Help.../ID Request 3/17/2011
Hi Crew,
<Hello Christo>
Can you possibly identify the blue "gummy thing" in the attached photo.
The picture was taken at Umdloti North Beach, South Africa at low tide.
The picture shows the underside of a large rock with the water still pushing in and out.
Looking at similar photos on the web it may be a sponge but I would like to be certain.
<It appears to be a sponge colony, possibly a Suberites species which fares well in high surge areas. I will ask Bob for his input here as well.><<Do agree>>
Regards,
<Cheers. James (Salty Dog)>
Christo Erasmus
Re Please Help.../ID Request, spg. 3/17/2011- 3/22/2011
Thank you for the answer!
<You're welcome, Christo. James (Salty Dog)>
Christo Erasmus

Identification Help, sans pic 3/16/2011
Dear WetWebMedia,
<Samantha>
I need your help identifying something in my saltwater aquarium. I've been seeing these puffy little oblong-shaped things in my aquarium for over a month now. They are white in color with a grayish/purplish tint. I thought it was just a few of them because they blended in with the LR, but upon closer inspection this afternoon, there's a TON of them! I guess they're multiplying...? I took a scalpel and tried to scrape one off the rock. It seemed soft, and when I tried to scrape it off the rock, I ripped it open and it looked like it released a bunch of little specks (spores, maybe?).
Do you know what they are, and are they harmful?
<Would be impossible to accurately ID your invaders without a pic. My best guess would be sponges or tunicates (Sea Squirts) which would not be harmful in your system.>
My aquarium is 50 gallons with a 20 gallon sump, and it has been set up for almost a year. My non-coral livestock consists of a yellow watchman goby, a splendid leopard wrasse, 2 naked clownfish, two sand-sifting starfish, a cleaner shrimp, two peppermint shrimp, 2 emerald crabs, scarlet hermits, blue-legged hermits, and Nassarius, Trochus, margarita, Nerite, and zebra turbo snails.
Thank you so much for your help,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
~Samantha
Re Identification Help 3/16/2011 - 3/17/2011
Dear WetWebMedia,
<Samantha>
Thanks for your help. I've attached a picture to this e-mail of the "creatures" in the hope that you may be able to get a more exact ID.
<Difficult to see any detail as the pic pixelizes when blown up. I'm guessing a sponge or Ascidian of some type, likely the later. Bob may have a more accurate ID.><<Appear to be Nerite eggs... Do read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/SnailEggIDF2.htm and on WWM re the family (Neritidae). RMF>>
Thank you,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Samantha

White Spots: Possible Nerite Egg Capsules -- 3/9/11
Hello,
<Hello there, Lynn here this evening.>
Our tank has been up and going for around 7 months. In the last 48 hours or less these white dots have appeared on my live rock. I have done several searches for them and asked the question on a couple of forums before bringing it to you guys. It started as 5 spots that I noticed on one rock. Last night I noticed a group of ten of them one the same rock. This afternoon I found say 50+ of them all over the tank. The tank is 180 gallon and I have these peppered all of the way across. I am at a total loss for what it might be. All of my water parameters are within normal limits. I enclosed a picture with some of the spots circled to help with the ID.
<By any chance do you keep Nerite snails? If so, then those are more than likely egg capsules. Nerites typically deposit loose groupings of oval to round, white to cream colored capsules on hard surfaces, and are often compared to sesame seeds. Each capsule contains a number of eggs that soon hatch into free-swimming larvae with, unfortunately, very little chance of survival. For more information and photos for comparison, please see the related FAQ's at this link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/SnailEggIDF1.htm?h=
More info here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/9/inverts >
Again thanks again so much guys this will be a great help to us.
<You're very welcome! By the way, if you don't have any resident Nerites, let me/us know what other snails you do have and we'll take it from there. Also, if you could get a close-up shot of one of the spots, that would be great! Take care, Lynn Z>

Need help with ID 3/1/11
At the LFS I got this piece of live rock and on it was this the lady that works there said it was a type of coral but she did not know what kind. It can flatten out then re-blob to move itself. If it gets scared it shoots out white stuff from a small hole in its side. At night it stands much thinner and taller. It likes to be hand fed hunks of krill. It will take it with its little flap/lip thingy and hold it until its mouth is open big enough to eat it. I need to know if it is okay to have in my tank.
Attached Thumbnails
<Mmm, nothing attached. Please try sending to yourself, and re-send to us.
Bob Fenner>

re: Need help with ID 3/1/11
Update it has started growing tentacles and has moved itself in-between the top and bottom of the rock.
<... bizarre. Your pix are too blurry to be of much use. The first actually looks to be an Ascidian, a Sea Squirt... See WWM, the Net, books... re... non-motile. BobF>

Sea squirt ?

Please ID liverock growth 1/13/11
Hi crew, I am having trouble identifying the object in the attached photo.
I'm not sure if this is a worm, sponge or some sort of macroalgae. Perhaps one of you with all your wisdom can help me out.
<Mmm, tis a green algae, Neomeris sp.>
thanks
Ian
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

I found this on Nokomis Beach, Nokomis, FL 12/21/10
Dear sirs;
<Hello Donna... my sis' name as well, just finished visiting>
I found this on Nokomis Beach in Florida up by the dunes and I was wondering if it is coral and what type of coral it is (if it is) . It is approximately 8" wide by 6" deep at it's widest point and 3" in height. It
is hard and sharp. I am attaching two pictures of it (one close up and one full photo).
Thank you for any help.
Regards,
Donna Bailey
<This is either a mass of tubeworms or tubiculous (tube-building) snails.
Do take care as the edges/openings of these tubes are quite sharp. Bob Fenner>

Re: I found this on Nokomis Beach, Nokomis, FL 12/22/10
Very cool! Thank you so much Bob and Merry Christmas to you.
<Welcome, thank you>
Oh, and I am being safe with it because it is definitely sharp!
<Ah yes>
Have a safe and prosperous new year!
Donna :-)
<And you my friend, and sister's name keepsake. BobF>

Algae Identification 12/21/10
WetWebMedia,
<Les>
Would you please identify this algae (See attached pic) ? This algae is long single thread-like stands growing up from LR. Each algae strand has an air bubble attached to the end. I can clean off the rock with a vacuum and the algae will gown back 6" the next day. It is slowly spreading to other LR. The 175 future reef tank is 3 mo young and all water parameters are good. Also, can you tell me what might eat this algae?
<Mmm, can't tell much definitively... do agree with you that this is a thread-like algae of some sort... a Green, perhaps BGA... growing very rapidly in this setting... so much so that gas is accumulating>
Use good lighting with proper circulation and skimming. Using 30 gal sump with Chaeto (no sand bed). Two Little Fishes reactors, one with Phosguard and one with non-phosphate leaching carbon, both reactors are cleaned every two weeks along with a 20% RO/DI water change - no phosphates or silica in water supply.
<Mmm, am a fan of other measures for controlling PO4, other nutrients... which aren't being limited here obviously>
FYI Critter & Fish: 30 White and blue leg hermit crabs, 5 emerald crabs, 10 Cerith snails, 25 Nassarius snail and turbo/Astrea snail, 1 coral banded shrimp (possible mistake), 2 false percale clowns, 2 fire fish gobies, 1 lawnmower blenny, 2 Mushrooms, 2 Toadstools and 3 Zoo frags. Recently deceased - 1 cleaner and 2 peppermint shrimp (probably from CBShrimp).
Thank you very much for your help & Merry Christmas.
Les Currey
<Thank you. Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
and the linked files where you lead yourself. By your reading, can you list steps to further control this algae here? Bob Fenner>

Or hydroids?

Re: Algae Identification 12/22/10
Thanks Bob. See additional 3 questions in blue
<<Yikes... such coloration doesn't come through on our mail server. Will look for>><<>>
and thanks again so much for your help, I could not have made it so far w/o your assistance. Please know that I have spend hours reading articles in your website and I only ask email questions when I can't find the answer on WetWebMedia. I'm trying my best to learn w/o bothering you guys.
Les
<<Not a bother>>
Subject: Algae Identification
WetWebMedia,
<Les>
Would you please identify this algae (See attached pic) ? This algae is long single thread-like stands growing up from LR. Each algae strand has an air bubble attached to the end. I can clean off the rock with a vacuum and the algae will gown back 6" the next day. It is slowly spreading to other LR. The 175 future reef tank is 3 mo young and all water parameters are good. Also, can you tell me what might eat this algae?
<Mmm, can't tell much definitively... do agree with you that this is a thread-like algae of some sort... a Green, perhaps BGA... growing very rapidly in this setting... so much so that gas is accumulating>
Do you know anyone who can identify it. I would be nice to know exactly what it is.
FYI - It is a light olive green in color and only on the very top rocks nearest the light.
<<Would/will need a live sample, microscope... and reference works. Do read on WWM re this sort of identification work. Not actually hard to do>>
Use good lighting with proper circulation and skimming. Using 30 gal sump with Chaeto (no sand bed). Two Little Fishes reactors, one with Phosguard and one with non-phosphate leaching carbon, both reactors are cleaned every two weeks along with a 20% RO/DI water change - no phosphates or silica in water supply.
<Mmm, am a fan of other measures for controlling PO4, other nutrients...
which aren't being limited here obviously>
Please explain, I thought I was doing everything by your recommendations with skimming, RO/DI, frequent H20 changes
and Phosguard. PO4 was .2 to .3 before Phosguard and <.2 after. Silica is almost at 0.
<<Per the growth of this material, HPO4 is being taken up by it... otherwise it would not be present... Again, am not a fan of such chemical filtrant use, unless there is so much excess dissolved nutrient, AND a need for rapid removal>>
FYI Critter & Fish: 30 White and blue leg hermit crabs, 5 emerald crabs, 10 Cerith snails, 25 Nassarius snail and turbo/Astrea snail, 1 coral banded shrimp (possible mistake), 2 false percale clowns, 2 fire fish gobies, 1 lawnmower blenny, 2 Mushrooms, 2 Toadstools and 3 Zoo frags. Recently deceased - 1 cleaner and 2 peppermint shrimp (probably from CBShrimp).
Thank you very much for your help & Merry Christmas.
Les Currey
<Thank you. Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/avoidingalgaeproblesm.htm
and the linked files where you lead yourself. By your reading, can you list steps to further control this algae here? Bob Fenner>
PS: Bob, my tank is only 3mo w/water & substrate and 2mo w/ LR. I still get a brown diatom film over 70% of my glass every two days that must be wiped off. Is this normal at this point or do I have a problem?
<More normal than not. See WWM re...:
http://wetwebmedia.com/brownalgcontfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. There is no shortcut to understanding what is archived on these topics... You need to understand the underlying causes, science and your options for redirecting the use of resources in your captive slice of the sea. Cheers! BobF>

Re: Algae Identification 12/26/10
Bob.
<Hey Les>
After reading WetWebMedia posts concerning algae for several days now, I understand the importance of determining causes rather than treating symptoms.
<Ahh! A very important lesson in life>
In my particular situation (fighting a thread type algae) I thought I'd consider this treatment while I continue to determine the cause. My 175 display has LR running left to right across the entire tank and averages about 20" tall. Only the very top rocks (4ea) on the extreme left side of the aquarium have this severe thread algae problem, the center and right side of the aquarium are fine. I purchased "Walt's Rock" but later added 6-7ea more rocks from my LFS, this may be the algae culprit - I'm not 100% sure. My thoughts would be to remove these four rocks and put them in a covered (no light) Rubbermaid container with display water and an air stone until the algae dies and then return them to the display. What is your opinion, and how many days should I leave them in the dark container?
<Worth trying; about a week>
Does a short duration of air exposure (30 second transport to a container) cause severe damage to rock life.
<None whatsoever>
Note: My LR is only 3 months old and doesn't have much coralline algae yet. I considered just scrubbing the rocks w/a tooth brush but most people say the algae just comes right back.
<Often the case, yes>
Thanks,
Les
PS: lmjcurrey is now a WetWebMedia financial contributor.
<I/we thank you. BobF>

New red mushroom or algae 12/6/10
Hello.
You guys have been great in the past helping me identify new and interesting life in my tank. Can u take a look at the attached pic and give any insight?
Thanks
Mike
<Is a Rhodophyte, red algae of some sort. See WWM:
http://wetwebmedia.com/redalgidfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>

Re: New red mushroom or algae 12/6/10
Is it invasive?
<Mmm, not "very">
Should I do something to head it off & or so what recommendations?
<I'd harvest a bit every maintenance period... when/while you're already in the tank... Reds are by and large slow-growers, not really competitors w/ other chemoautotrophs>
Again, thanks for you help and quick response.
Mike
<Certainly welcome. BobF>

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