LR ID F 32

FAQs about Live Rock Hitchhiker/Creature Identification 32

Related Articles: Live Rock, Reef Systems, Refugiums,

Cyano? 1/2/12
Hi Bob,
<Dave>
I started raising the salinity very (very) slowly. I also removed some aggressors. I see overall fish health, color, behavior, and eating very improved.
<Good>
I left town for the week and turned off the skimmer to avoid a cup
overflow. I also gave pre-measured feeding doses to the tank sitter. I came back to this (see pictures) - I had seen growth beginning before I left, but heavier now. I also see growth in the newly added Up flow Algae Scrubber
(per SantaMonica license/guidance).
Do you agree that this is likely Cyanobacteria? Very curious/unique manifestation that I have not seen otherwise in pictures on the 'net, although I suspect it is a variety that does better at my current salinity (?).
<Mmm, appears more to be some sort of encrusting sponge than an algae...
Scrape some off and look at under a 'scope>
Harmful or not: I don't have any concerns with it aesthetically (probably confirms how odd I am). But I suppose it could be harmful to the fish?
I planned lighting and flow at lower levels due to non-reef needs in my FOWLR display. Lighting is subpar (about 25w LED (Marineland Double Bright)
for this 30"H 200G tank, also considering WWM guidance that my Volitans is light-sensitive).Flow is about 800gph flow (per my return pump), which I presumed may be sufficient also due to my open-top system (i.e., increased oxygen exchange). Seems my lighting/flow are within range albeit at the lower end - or should I upgrade?
<If you want>
Below are my levels. Seems I've created a haven for Cyano at the moment per the lighting/flow and nitrate/phosphate levels:
Amm/Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40
<Too high by about twice... see WWM re NO3 control>
Temp - 78
pH - 8.0-8.2
PO4 - .1ppm
Thanks for your thoughts, and happy new year. Dave
<And you, BobF>

Re: Cyano? 1/2/12
Bob, thanks. Wow, incredible that this could be a sponge. So this is a possibility given the 1.013 salinity?
<Mmm, yes. There are even freshwater Poriferans>
I've never studied them much. Time to hit WWM sponge articles...
I forgot to mention that there seems to be bubbles forming under the green part of it.
<Could be other photosynthetic life involved, mixed tog.>
Also, for scale on how large this is, the harlequin tusk in the picture is about 6". Most growth happened over a week, and now I see spots in other areas as well (green spot surrounded by darker, starting out light/faded).
It seems that the better-lit areas have been hit first (including the algae scrubber, which is lit by 2 45w grow lights).
<Well... could be algae... but the color, texture...>
I'll see if I can get access to a 'scope...or, judging on how many times you've advised that I use one, if I can find one online to add to my personal effect arsenal...
<Look, search on WWM. I have a conventional light and QX-3 Mattel-Intel here above my desk... Not expensive, and fun to use. BobF>

strange growths 12/27/12
Hello,
<Hi Jennifer>
I have 2 strange growths on my live rock that even my local saltwater shop was not sure about when I showed them the pictures. I have a 90 gal. bowfront reef tank which I just recently transferred from a 60 gal. I did not add anything new into the tank and had the 60 gal established for over 7 yrs.
Upon the transfer and new equipment, a new lamp with VHO, leds and a timer with dawn, day, dusk, and moon light cycle I recently had an algae bloom so upon my cleaning up the algae I noticed these odd things on my rock. What are they? My saltwater guys at the shop, one thought one was a mushroom which if it is, never seen anything like it and the other photo a pink sponge which he said to just scrape
it off. But I'm just curious as this growth occurred in a months time.
Ideas?
<The first picture does appear to me a Corallimorph. The second photo is a Rhodophyta, possibly Kallymenia sp.>
from the back of my tank I found this odd thing.. ?
<Not sure what this is in reference to.>
Thanks for your help!
<Anytime.>
Jennifer Cooper
<Jordan>

Strange marine thing 12/23/12
Hi, Can you identify this please. It appeared one day in my marine tank.
I'm not sure if it is eating the purple mushroom type coral or the coral is doing something odd. The marine tank set up in its youngest elements is 6 months, I got a larger tank, Angela Hoynes so some of the live rock came from that tank and some is new.
<Oh Lynn! >

Strange marine thing    12/23/12
Oh Lynn!
<Oh, brother! Heheee - I saw this query yesterday and couldn't hit the "back" button fast enough! It almost looks like a curled up Corallimorph of some sort but...?? I'll go ahead and send a reply asap.
<<Oh yeah! At first glance, I'm... Uhh, is this a Prosobranch of some sort?
Mmm, don't see any sensory structures... Umm, a Cnidarian/coelenterate it sort of reminds me of... something in my distal, way back past? Oh, best send along to Lynn!>
How was the trip?
<Ahh, very nice. Good weather for the most part, good folks, friends to share all with... Interesting diving, though too much BGA and reef damage to suit me>
I bet you got some great photos to post, huh?
<A few; am thinking to post some by group on FB, Facebook... do you look at them there?>
Can't wait to see some neat critter shots in the dailies!
<Oh yes... am a couple years ahead on the marine side currently... but you can look/see what the archived/newer ones will be... Again, mostly only organisms that are new to the site, or something to add to the current depictions there of worth>
Take care,
-Lyn
<And you, BobF>
Re: Strange marine thing     12/23/12
Oh, I don't see it in the crew mail, so I'm guessing you already sent a reply? If so, thanks!!
Happy Holidays,
-Lynn
<Oh no! Had/stuck in the emails w/ graphics folder... am moving to yours!
BobF>
fw: Strange marine thing
Oh Lynn!
<Oh, brother! Heheee - I saw this query yesterday and couldn't hit the "back" button fast enough! It almost looks like a curled up Corallimorph of some sort but...?? I'll go ahead and send a reply asap.
<<Oh yeah! At first glance, I'm... Uhh, is this a Prosobranch of some sort?
Mmm, don't see any sensory structures... Umm, a Cnidarian/coelenterate it sort of reminds me of... something in my distal, way back past? Oh, best send along to Lynn!>
<<Heeee - yep, I can relate. Like I said, I saw that thing and took off. My last thought was that I hoped to heck that you or Jordan knew what it was because I sure didn't!>>
How was the trip?
<Ahh, very nice. Good weather for the most part, good folks, friends to share all with... Interesting diving, though too much BGA and reef damage to suit me>
<<Jeez, that's so sad. Glad though, that you had a good time otherwise.>>
I bet you got some great photos to post, huh?
<A few; am thinking to post some by group on FB, Facebook... do you look at them there?>
<<Unfortunately, no. I've been so busy that I've totally neglected Facebook and even considered shutting it down. The good news is that things should settle down this week after Christmas so I'll check in then.>>
Can't wait to see some neat critter shots in the dailies!
<Oh yes... am a couple years ahead on the marine side currently... but you can look/see what the archived/newer ones will be... Again, mostly only organisms that are new to the site, or something to add to the current depictions there of worth>
<<I look forward to seeing them.>>
Take care,
-Lynn
<And you, BobF>
<<Thanks, Bob and Happy Holidays>>
Strange Marine Thing: Possible Corallimorph – 12/23/12
Hi,
<Hello there, Lynn here today.>
Can you identify this please.
<I’ll sure try, but no promises on this one! My first impression is that it looks like some sort of Corallimorph that’s reacting to the other nearby Corallimorphs by curling away from contact.>
It appeared one day in my marine tank.
<Interesting>
I'm not sure if it is eating the purple mushroom type coral or the coral is doing something odd.
<I think it’s trying to avoid contact. What doesn’t make sense to me is why one would suddenly appear in the middle of those that are incompatible? Perhaps it was dislodged/floated away from its original position and somehow ended up there? If it were me, I’d gently nudge the thing to see if it comes loose and if so, place it elsewhere. If it doesn’t, you can either leave it as and let the dominant organism(s) “win” or do whatever it takes to remove the larger specimen with the understanding that it could either die or grow back if enough is left behind. For more information regarding Corallimorphs, please see the following link (as well as associated links listed at the top): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallim.htm >
The marine tank set up in its youngest elements is 6 months, I got a larger tank, Angela Hoynes so some of the live rock came from that tank and some is new.
<Gotcha, thanks. If you have any other questions or problems, please let me/us know. Take care, Lynn Z>
Re: Strange marine thing   12/24/12
Oh, I don't see it in the crew mail, so I'm guessing you already sent a reply? If so, thanks!!
Happy Holidays,
-Lynn
<Ahh! Have just done. Thank you Lynn. BobF>

Strange Growth 12/17/12
I have had the following growth appear in my Red Sea 250 several times in the past few months. My nitrates are under 5ppm ammonia is 0. Growth of corals and livestock is good. Tank is approximately 11 months old. The growth can appear in under an hour and can be from 6 inches to several feet it is tubular when in the tank and becomes a slime when removed. I have included a picture of the growth
http://s1109.beta.photobucket.com/user/dbburkart/media/855815C4-15ED-4E32-A2B3-32AB5617F9D1-2221-0000058888A997B9.jpg.html
Regards,
Dave Burkart
<With this fast growth, physical characteristics... must be an algae or fungus... Very interesting.
The means to restrict? Nutrient limitation and competition (a more diverse, vigorous group of other life). Bob Fenner>

Re: Strange Growth - 12/19/2012
Bob,
<Dave>
Thank you so much, I have had opinions on everything from some type of sponge to I have no idea what it could be. It does not seem to be harmful other than the fact that it clogs the pumps when it goes through them.
Happy Holidays,
Dave Burkart
<Mmm, yes... not harmful likely... some sort of decomposer... in fab circumstances... plenty of nutrient, lack of competitors, predators... to grow, reproduce so rapidly. Cheers! BobF>

Re: Hitchhiker ID       12/11/12
Lynn... what is this? B
<I think I might just know! If I'm right, it's a species in the genus Lygdamis (family Sabellariidae). Check out the photo at this link for comparison: http://www.kudalaut.eu/en/dph/3705/Photos-Sale/Sabellid-worm .
I'll go ahead and send a reply to Alex asap. Take care, Lynn
<Yes! I believe you're right. B>
Hitchhiker ID: Sabellariid, Lygdamis spp. – 12/12/12
Hi,
<Hello Alex, Lynn here this evening.>
I was wondering if y'all might be able to help me ID something.
<Fire away.>
Here is a picture: http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss28/awpong/WeirdHitchhikerID.jpg
Here is a video: http://youtu.be/Xb1i9xWjoPo
<I believe what you have is a neat little Sabellariid (family Sabellariidae) in the genus Lygdamis.>
This hitchhiker has 2 tentacles that are about 1 cm each and are covered in hairs. The entire creature lives inside of the sand-tube shown in the picture, and as seen in the video, it will retract when disturbed.
<Yep, all of this is typical. The two, almost “horn-like”, appendages are covered with feeding tentacles and the tube is constructed of mucus and bits of sand/shell/debris. Please see the following link for examples of the genus (series of 8 photos):   http://doris.ffessm.fr/photo_gde_taille_fiche2.asp?varpositionf=&varSQL=SELECT * FROM fiche_liste wherefiche_numero = 1233&varposition=1&varSQLphoto=SELECT * FROM vue_photos where photo_fiche = 1233 ORDERBY photo_ordre&fiche_numero=1233&origine=
The following link does a good job of describing anatomy, habitat, and behavior:
https://repositorio.uac.pt/bitstream/10400.3/142/1/pp37_42_Nishi_Nunez_17A.pdf >
I've never seen anything like this before, and I haven't been able to ID him.
<I’ve never seen one of these show up as a hitchhiker, that's for sure! It’s certainly a neat little creature and a nice addition to the biodiversity of your system.>
He has been in my tank for about a year without spreading. This is just the first time I've been able to photograph him. He was originally attached to the rock base of one of my SPS, but he moved after I buried him in the sand.
<Yep, they can build another tube elsewhere if the occasion calls for it.>
The only way I can describe him is by making bunny ears with my index and forefinger.
<Heheee!>
Thanks in advance,
<You’re very welcome.>
Alex
<Take care, Lynn Z>

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