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FAQs about Non-Vertebrate Animal Identification 39
Related Articles: Marine Invertebrates,
Marine Invertebrate Systems, Marine
Invertebrate Compatibility, Marine
Invertebrate Disease, Marine
Invertebrate Reproduction,
Quarantine of Corals and Invertebrates,
Feeding Reef Invertebrates,
Lighting Marine Invertebrates,
Water Flow, How Much is Enough,
Related FAQs: Non-Vert IDs 1,
Non-Vert IDs 2, Non-Vert IDs 3,
Non-Vert IDs 4, Non-Vert IDs 5,
Non-Vert IDs 6,
Non-Vert IDs 7, Non-Vert
IDs 8,
Non-Vert IDs 9,
Non-Vert IDs 10, Non-Vert IDs 11,
Non-Vert IDs 12, Non-Vert IDs 13,
Non-Vert IDs 14, Non-Vert IDs 15,
Non-Vert IDs 16, Non-Vert IDs 17,
Non-Vert IDs 18, Non-Vert. ID 19,
Non-Vert. ID 20, Non-Vert. ID 21,
Non-Vert. ID 22, Non-Vert. ID 23,
Non-Vert. ID 25, Non-Vert ID 26,
Non-Vert ID 27, Non-Vert ID 28,
Non-Vert ID 29, Non-Vert ID 30,
Non-Vert ID 31, Non-Vert ID 32,
Non-Vert 33, Non-Vert ID 34
Non-Vert ID 35, Non-Vert ID 36,
Non-Vert ID 37, Non-Vert ID 38,
Non-Vert ID 40, Non-Vert ID 41,
Non-Vert ID 42, & Marine Invertebrates,
Marine Invert.s 2, Marine Invert.s 3,
& FAQs about: Marine Invertebrate
Behavior, Marine Invertebrate
Compatibility, Marine Invertebrate
Selection, Marine Invertebrate
Systems, Feeding Reef Invertebrates,
Marine Invertebrate Disease,
Marine Invertebrate Reproduction, &
& LR Life
Identification, LR Hitchhiker ID 1,
Anemone Identification,
Aiptasia Identification, Aiptasia ID
2, Worm Identification,
Tubeworm ID, Polychaete
Identification, Snail Identification,
Marine Crab Identification, Marine
Invert.s 1, Marine Invert.s 2,
Marine Plankton, | 
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Tired of Nerite Eggs, or Whatever They Are: Foraminiferans - 9/15/08
Hi Crew,
<Hi Tom, Lynn here today.>
About six months ago you
ID'd these calcareous discs as Nerite egg casings, thank you for
that.
<On Mich’s behalf, you’re very welcome! She’s a real gem
when it comes to ID’s! I just took a look at your original photo (at
this link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailidfaq6.htm) and those do
indeed look like Nerite egg capsules. Had I answered your query, I
would have given the same answer. However, after looking at your new
photo, I’m thinking that you might have something else entirely,
specifically Foraminiferans. Nerite capsules are sesame seed shaped,
a bit “pillowed” (not flat), usually a uniform opaque white, fairly
consistent in size, and are adhered fairly well to whatever surface
they’re on. See the photo at this link under the query titled “What
Is This!?! Nerite Snail Egg Capsules 9/10/07” for comparison:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailid12.htm
What I see in your
photo (after enlarging it quite a bit), are objects that look thin,
wafer-like/more discoid in shape, vary considerably in size, and
appear to be loosely arranged on top of the rockwork/algae. I’d love
to see an extreme close-up of one, but it would understandably be
difficult to achieve. For more information on Foraminifera, please
see the query titled “ID Help: Foraminiferan, Likely Marginopora sp.
- 4/21/08” at this link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/invertid34.htm .
Here’s a terrific article as well, with photos:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/rs/index.php .>
I
understand they're harmless and all, but I would really like to get
rid of them.
<Foraminiferans are indeed harmless, even
beneficial. Personally, I’d leave them but if you’d like to reduce
their numbers, there are some predators Dr. Shimek mentioned (in his
article listed above) that may consume them. They include hermits,
various sand sifting fishes (if the forams you have also inhabit the
substrate), and bristleworms. Mind you, none of these creatures feed
solely on forams. They may have other preferred foods they consume
first before going after these. Another option you might try is
suctioning them out. You could knock them loose with something like
an algae scraper, then vacuum.>
Would you have any suggestions?
Anything that will eat/kill/slow these things down (either the eggs,
adult snails, or both).
<See above.>
I've tried scrubbing them
off the rock but they eventually reappear...
<I’d opt for
diligent vacuuming, possible introduction of a predator.>
..in
all this time I haven't seen a single adult snail.
<That's
understandable!>
Thanks,
Tom
<You’re very welcome Tom, and
good luck! –Lynn> |  |
Re: Tired of Nerite Eggs, or Whatever They Are: Foraminiferans -
9/15/08
Hi Lynn,
<Hi Tom!>
Thank you very much for
this ID...you seem to have nailed it.
<Yay!>
I Googled better
pictures at:
http://www.poppe-images.com/images/image_info.php?picid=910670
http://www.poppe-images.com/images/image_info.php?picid=907142
http://www.cushmanfoundation.org/resources/slides/forams.html (the
third one down looks exactly like mine)
<Excellent. Yep, it’s a
common tropical species in the genus Marginopora that can get
surprisingly large. Many forams are very small indeed (<2mm).
They’re odd, but neat looking little things, aren’t they!>
I used
to have a few (40-50) hermits in this tank, mostly Clibanarius
tricolor and kin. They eventually consumed each other
<Typical>
or otherwise died out, now that I think about it, this may have been
just a few months before these discs started to show up...now it
seems this was no coincidence.
<Wouldn’t surprise me a bit.
While the crabs are away, the forams will..run amok - wheee!>
I
think I'll do some crab shopping.
<LOL This time, maybe start off
with just a couple and see how they do. That way, maybe you can end
up with a healthy balance of each.>
Tom
<Take care, -Lynn> |
Strange Snail: Young Astraea – 9/15/08
<Hi there, Mitch>
I keep finding these in my reef at home....(not the quarter now)
<Heheee!> never see them on corals, but always on glass.
<Yes,
that’s typical. They’re herbivorous grazers that pose no threat to
corals and seem to prefer hard surfaces (glass/rockwork/equipment).>
My turbo snails are always having babies,
<Hmmm, I’m wondering
if you aren’t perhaps seeing Collonista snails, aka “Mini Turbos”
(very common/beneficial little hitchhikers). If what you have are
the typical “Turbo grazers” sold through most LFS, those are
broadcast-spawners whose young have very little chance of survival
in most home systems. Please see this link for comparison/more
information: http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=242 >
..could these be small Astraea?
<Yes, that’s exactly what they
look like. Please see this link for more information (see second
photo down for comparison):
http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=375 >
Please let
me know.... mixed sps/high dollar LPSs reef. Thanks, Mitch
<You’re very welcome. Take care, -Lynn>
Re: Strange
Snail: Young Astraea – 9/15/08
Hello, my name is Mitch
<Hello again, Mitch>
..and I sent a picture txt message from my
phone to you guys a minute ago. My comp is not working so I wasn’t
sure if you would get the message from earlier.
<Yes, we got it
just fine, thanks.>
If you could reply in regards to the picture
to this email, I would be thankful.
Thanks, Mitch
p.s.the pic
was about snails in my reef
<Got it. You’re very welcome. Take
care, -Lynn> |  |
What's on my Halimeda? 8/21/08
Good evening Crew! I was checking out my tank tonight and noticed that
my Halimeda algae has something wacky covering the blades. See attached
pics. These were not there last night. Any idea what this is?
Thanks
as always.
Andy
<Mmm, would really like to see this under
magnification... Am guessing that due to its upright structure, repeated
appearance, that this is some sort of Hydrozoan. Do you have access to a
sort of dissection microscope with a camera? Bob Fenner> | 
What's on my Halimeda? 8/22/08
A dissection microscope?
That sounds fancy. I have some binoculars and a pirate's
telescope made for a 3 year old, but I feel that neither of those
will work.
<Mmm, just the QX scope... even I have/use one>
All
growths are gone 24 hours later . . .
<Bizarre!>
I guess I
will research whether hydrozoans are bad . . .
<Can be if too
numerous, the system small...>
Thanks for your insight.
Andy
<Happy to share. BobF> |
Need Help 08/12/2008
Wet Web Media Crew -
<<Hi there>>
I was hoping you could help identify what is in the attached
picture.? I have a 60 gallon hex tank? as well as a 90 gallon corner
tank.? Both are? salt water and non reef tanks.? This sponge like
substance is in both tanks.? It grows in my filter and low light
areas.? Do you know what this is and how I can get rid of it?? Any
information would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Jim
<<Please
re-send with the mentioned picture, attached. Thanks. A Nixon>>
Re: Need Help... ID 08/14/2008
Sorry... I thought the picture
was attached.? I hope you can see this one clearly.
<<he he he..
Its fine, received the pic now. Just common sponges which are found
in near enough all our home aquariums. Simple filter feeders which
cause no harm, and will grow with nutrient levels. If you dislike
them, then yes, feel free to remove them, however, be prepared for a
constant battle as sponges will soon grow back.>>
<<Thanks for
the questions, hope this helps. A Nixon>> |
 |
Yellow "squiggly" slime?? what's that!?
8/7/08
Hi again...you guys helped before...thought this was interesting (@
least for me) to send along. Wondering what you think this may
be.....pls see attached pic. Just noticed it today when I got home.
It's in two areas.. Another just below and to the left. more in the
corner of tank.
30 gal reef tank
turbo snails
sand sifting
snails
narcassis snails
and fishies
<Mmm, snail eggs... see
WWM re IDs of such: http://wetwebmedia.com/snailid9.htm
and the
linked files above... Sing it uhh! BobF> | 
|
Polychaete worm photo... Chiton 8/5/08
Hello,
?????????
<Mich with you today.>
Thanks for the awesome service you provide to
reef keepers everywhere.
<On behalf of Bob and the crew, you're
welcome!>
I have had my 125 gallon reef setup for about 5 years now.
<Very nice!>
One on my favorite things to do in the evening is to see
what I can find among my live rock,
<Heehee! Mine too!>
well I
found a strange looking worm. It is about 3/4 of and inch wide and am
not sure how long it is. I have watched it extend about 4 inches from
the rock without ever revealing its end. Attached is a picture of the
head or front of it. I appears to have a pink triangle-shape on its head
and its body is black and green. I hope you can help me identify this
worm.
<It is a Chiton.>
I know its not harmful,
<You are
correct.>
I just want to learn more.
<Glad to hear! Something to
start you!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiton
http://home.inreach.com/burghart/ >
I have scoured the Internet and
nothing looks similar.
<Heehee! Hard to learn about what you can't
ID, eh?
The picture I attached is of the top of its head. Thanks
<Welcome! Enjoy your newly identified friend!
Cheers,
Mich> | 
|
Mysterious Sponge?
7/29/08
Hi WWM
Crew,
<Rob>
Once again, I've found myself at a loss as to the
identity of this newest addition to my reef. It's a white puffy
sponge-like growth that's formed on the underside of my LR in several
locations.
<I see it/this>
They look kinda like a cigarette filter
without the paper (if that makes sense). I'm attaching a picture for
reference. As always, your expertise in identifying this as well as
removal method is greatly appreciated. You guys ROCK !
Respectfully,
Rob
<I would leave this sponge as it is... testimony to your good
husbandry. Bob Fenner> | 
|
White Pods Growth in Refugium Chaeto Algae... Syconoid Sponges
07/20/2008
Hi All,
<Hi Chris, Mich here today.>
I am a long
time fan and reader of your website and thought you might be able to
help identify what is growing in my refugium.
<Hope so!>
There
are white pod like growths mingled throughout my Chaeto algae. The
refugium is light by a power compact light and contains Fiji miracle mud
and a couple of clams.
<Really? Clams in your refugium? Are they
doing well? I'm surprised they are getting enough light.>
At first
glance we thought it might be copepod eggs.
<Nope.>
We are
worried if this is something we should remove from our tank or if the
white pods are beneficial.
<They are Syconoid sponges, harmless
filter feeders. Nothing to be worried about. The population generally
waxes and wanes. You can see similar ones here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spgidf7.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spgidf6.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spgidf5.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spongeidfaq3.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/spongeidfaq2.htm
Attached is a picture of
the growth.
<Got it.>
Thanks,
Chris
<Welcome,
Mich> | 
Re: White Pods Growth in Refugium Chaeto Algae
7/20/08
White Pods Growth
in Refugium Chaeto Algae... Syconoid Sponges
Thank you very
much for the answer.
<You are most welcome Chris.>
By the way
don't worry about the clams they are tiny hitchhikers smaller pinky
nail not large ones.
<Glad to hear they are not Tridacnid. Enjoy
your sponges!>
Regards,
Chris
<Cheers,
Mich>
|
Live Rock Hitchhikers! 7/18/08
Hello Crew,
I am a
somewhat experienced saltwater enthusiast, having about 1 year of
experience with a 55 reef setup. This year was spent with at least 5-10
hours per week spent reading and researching throughout the entire
year.. so it's more than just a 'casual' "hey let's throw some fish and
corals in a tank" kind of experience... Anyway...
I just started a
Nano tank, for the "challenge" of it. After patiently waiting until the
water parameters were stable, I bought myself a nice 3 lb piece of live
rock at the LFS. After a few hours, I was looking at the tank and making
some observations, and I saw a few neat creatures that I had not seen at
the store: a smaller feather duster, some random smaller zoanthid type
polyps (hopefully not aiptasia, but they have a deep body, so I'm
thinking they're not)
And I thought that was all really neat.
However, I was looking at the back part of the rock, and it looked like
something large moved! Turns out, I have some sort of clam that attached
to the rock and is covered in beautiful coralline algae and some
macroalgae. All the research I've done about clams has been the Crocea
and Maxima varieties, but this one has the body shape of a freshwater
"eating type" (I hope my descriptions make sense..)
Any ideas on this
guy? I have about 3.5 watts per gallon lighting and the tank is only a
10 gallon, so I'm not sure what I'll do with this hitch hiker, besides
research of course.
Thanks for the much appreciated help and
suggestions/insight.
Eric
<Hello Eric. Bivalves -- clam, oysters,
scallops, and mussels -- are very diverse, with literally thousands of
species known to science. Most are marine, fairly small, and infaunal,
meaning they live in sand, soft rock or sunken wood. So from your
description it is virtually impossible to put a name to what you have!
But you could start here, and see if anything rings a bell...
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bivalvia.htm
That said, virtually none
will do any harm in an aquarium, so identifying them usually isn't
critical. The main problem with bivalves is that the majority are filter
feeders (a few are micropredators or deposit feeders) so the bigger
species often find it hard going in the largely plankton-free aquarium
environment. If they die from starvation, you have a lump of rotting
protein there messing up your water quality. But small "hitchhiker"
species may well survive, even thrive, without undue fuss. What you're
actually learning about is that marine invertebrate diversity is an
order of magnitude (at least) greater than freshwater invertebrate
diversity. Every piece of living rock will have representatives of at
least half a dozen animal phyla, including ones you never see in
freshwater, such as the Echinodermata and Sipunculida. So, enjoy your
new "pets", go grab a book on marine invertebrates, and learn about the
wonders of marine biology! Cheers, Neale.>
What’s in the tank? Hair or Spaghetti worm – 7/16/08
Hello
all!
<Hi Kathy!>
Once again I am in need of a question
answered... I have a 55 gallon saltwater tank. In January I
purchased 65lbs of live rock. For the last 7 months I have been
totally fascinated with the little creatures that are emerging.
<It’s the gift that keeps on giving, isn’t it!>
Yesterday I
noticed what looked to me like long pieces of hair on the bottom,
across the crushed coral substrate. I have long black hair so I
thought some of it had gotten in the tank...but when I looked closer
it was thread-like, dark and light alternating along the "thread"
and it was moving!! Then I notice 3 or 4 more! All seemed to be
stretching out from under a piece of the LR...and this morning when
I fed the fish, these "threads" seemed to attach to the blood worms
and mysis shrimp I had put in. They stretch out approximately 6 to 8
inches... in different directions. I've spent most of the morning
reading and trying to identify, but I can't wait. My eyes are blurry
and I have to know, "What's in my tank?" Can you give me a clue as
to what this is so that I can begin, in a logical place, to look on
the website, to research this little creature?
<It sounds a lot
like a harmless/beneficial Hair worm/Cirratulid (Family
Cirratulidae), or possibly a Spaghetti worm/Terebellid (Family
Terebellidae). Both are deposit/detritus feeders, as well as
scavengers that make nice additions to a system. For more
information and photos, please see the following links:
http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic34114-11-3.aspx (last post on the
page)
See the Query “Red worms with black Rings? 7/8/07” at this
WWM link: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/wormidfaq10.htm
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rs/index.php >
OBTW I
love, love, love, your website!
<Thank you, thank you, thank
you!>
So much so that some days it's hard to do my work...mind
and body keep drifting back to the PC :)
<Heheee! I know the
feeling!>
Thanks so much, tootles, ~Kathy
<You’re very
welcome, Kathy. Take care, -Lynn>
Re: What’s in the tank? Hair or Spaghetti worm – 7/17/08
<Hi
Kathy>
Well...creepy looking things.. but, I will keep them
around, the more I watch them the more fascinating they are!
<Indeed they are!>
(I found a couple more :) ) thanks again!
Tootles, ~Kathy
<It was a pleasure! Take care, -Lynn> |
What is it?
Got tons of them in a tank with base rock, crabs,
snails, and two clownfish...nothing else...appeared
overnight....they are 1/4 inch and smaller.
<Look to be small
sea cucumbers... a better resolved pic will get you a better guess.
Bob Fenner> | 
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Sponge ID... uhh, worse 7/6/08
Hi Bob and Crew,
Can you help
us identify this thing (we think it's a form of a sponge) growing from
under our Goniopora. All of our parameters have been good, we just
noticed this one night when the Goniopora had gone in. Picture is at:
http://photo.evasionoftruth.com/g1/aquarium/IMG_0849cropped Its directly
in the center growing from under the frag disc. We are wondering if we
should remove it, it appears to be a filter feeder as it does not
retract when we touch it.
<... is a Hydrozoan... and is stinging the
bejeesus out of the Poritid... needs to be removed, scrubbed clean (with
vacuuming if done underwater) entirely. Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/hyzoancompfaq.htm>
Keep up the great work on
the site, we use it daily to find out things about having a reef tank.
Thanks,
Buster
<Thank you for sharing Buster. Bob Fenner> |  
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worm or larvae identification? 7/4/08
Hello and thanks for all
the great suggestions...your site is extremely helpful!
<Thanks>
About 2 weeks ago, I've added about 24 cerite, Nerite snails (hope I
spelled them right) and about 50 red-legged Mexican hermits to my 72
gallon bow-front reef tank. Over the past week, I've notice maybe
hundreds of tiny white, thin dots on the back glass of the tank. I've
never seen these critters before and not sure if they are simply snail
larvae or harmful hitchhikers that came with the critters. I've taken a
few out just to observe them under a magnifying-glass and they don't
appear to any protrusions and/or any other physical characteristics
other than being flat, white, and smooth. I've attached a photo as well.
One observation, is that the snails predominantly stay on the back glass
where the concentration of these white critters are.
Thanks again for
your help!
Emmett
<Flat, white, smooth? Can you make a closer up,
more resolved image? These might be Limpets. Bob Fenner> | 
|
Another New Critter - 7/2/08
Crew,
<Jared>
I found another critter today that I have actually
seen before, but have never been able to get a good photo of. I have a
few of these in my tank, and they are either swimming or attached to the
glass.
<Ah, yes! Was out for dinner at a friends last night and they
played some of the excellent "Blue Planet" series... part of which
featured some great footage of strobilization...>
They are about the
size of a pea, disc/umbrella shaped, and "pump" their bodies while they
swim AND when they are attached to the glass. I thought they were some
kind of jelly, but I haven't been able to find a picture. The attached
photo isn't the best, but I think you can get a good idea. Thanks again,
Jared S.
<Is indeed a jelly... There is but a small bit re their
appearance, concern posted on WWM. Please do relate further observations
you have re. Bob Fenner> |
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