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FAQs about Sea Squirts Identification
Related Articles: Sea
Squirts/Tunicates/Ascidians,
Related FAQs: Ascidians 1,
Ascidians 2, Ascidian
Behavior, Ascidian Compatibility,
Ascidian Selection,
Ascidian Systems, Ascidian Feeding,
Ascidian Disease,
Ascidian Reproduction,
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Strange unidentified spongy thing
– 5/3/08
Hi,
<Lai>
I noticed some stuff that came along with my live rock, and it seems to
have grown somewhat. I cant imagine what it could be, but it looks like
spongy eggs! Just wondering if you guys knew what this is and if its bad
for my tank? Should I try to get rid of it.
(no, its not the shrimp), the other 2 grey things...
Lai
ps. Thanks in advance! You guys have been so helpful!
<Mmm, looks to be either an amorphous type Ascidian/Sea Squirt or some
sort of sponge itself. Not harmful... even beneficial in ways. Bob
Fenner> |
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Unidentified
Underwater Object: Likely Ascidian – 4/12/08
<Hi Joe!>
You know, I am bound to find something that is unidentifiable even to
the WWM crew.
<Heheee! You may well have succeeded this time!>
LOL. You guys have been fantastic and I find myself coming back yet
again with an unknown critter that seems to have stumped me and most of
my friends. It was speculated that it could be a jelly fish of some type
<I can see why someone would say that. The pattern in the middle is very
reminiscent of one!>
..but this guy is fixed on the LR and doesn't move... I attached the
best pics I could, any ideas?
<Well, to be honest, I’m fairly well stumped myself. My best guess is
that it’s some sort of Ascidian or sea squirt/tunicate - something
similar to the Botryllus species at the following links:
http://massbay.mit.edu/exoticspecies/exoticmaps/images/botrylluss_big.jpg
http://www.armofthesea.info/images/animalimgs/goldenstar_lg.jpg
For more images, please enter “Botryllus” in Google’s Image search
engine:
http://images.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi
More information on Ascidians: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ascidians.htm
>
TIA
Joe Brillon
<Hope that's it! If not, let me/us know. Take care, -Lynn>
Re: Unidentified Underwater Object:
Likely Ascidian - 4/15/08
<Hi Joe!>
Well you thwarted my efforts once again to stump you and the crew over
at WWM.
<Heheee! I have to admit that you very nearly succeeded this time!>
That is exactly it, <Yay!> many thanks again. Until next time where I
will try again to leave you scratching your head.
<LOL You're very welcome, I look forward to it!>
Take care.
Joe Brillon
<You too, Joe. Have a great week! –Lynn> |
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Likely so. RMF |
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Red Tube Hitcher
02/19/2008
Good afternoon!
<<Hello, Andrew here>>
I've noticed some strange red tubes among some zoanthids today and I was
wondering what they were. I figure they are some sort of filter feeder,
but I'd like to know if they are harmful to my zoas. These tubes shut
and retract a bit if I touch them. I have attached a couple photos of
them. There are more on that rock, too, but all seem to be connected to
something in the base. Thank you for your time! Zoë Stevens
<<What you have there is a sea squirt, or otherwise known as an
Ascidian. These are a harmless filter feeder and will not hurt your
Zoa's. More info can be found here and the linked articles and FAQ's.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ascidians.htm >>
<<Thanks for the question. A Nixon>> |
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Who you calling a squirt? |
Identification 1... Tunicate 10/2/07
Dear Bob,
<Hi Jason, Mich with you in the wee hours of the morning.>
I found a couple of these guys in my wet/dry trickle filter. See
attached picture.
<I see.>
They are definitely mobile and have skeletons
<Mmm, not really. I know what you are seeing but it is not truly a
skeleton.>
but no idea if they are bad or good.
<They are good. What you have is a tunicate. They are very neat
creatures indeed! Some are extraordinarily beautiful. I saw and
photographed many in the Bahamas.>
They are not in my refugium or main tank so I'm not quite sure how or
why they are in my wet/dry filter.
<They are there because the conditions are favorable and there are no
predators.>
Thanks for all your help and making this hobby fun.
<Welcome and thank you for your kind words. Is always good to hear from
folks who are enjoying the hobby. Mich>
Jason
Blurry photo... Maybe a tunicate?
10/2/07
Dear Bob,
<Nope, Mich again.>
I have quite a few of these red bubble entities around my live rocks.
They have various tubular openings with what looks like red hair type
worms that extend out from them. They don’t seem to bother my fish or
other inhabitants but I am curious as to what they might be.
<I am having a difficult time making out the image in the photo. Does
your camera have a macro setting? You might trying retaking the picture
with the Macro turned on (the symbol often resembles a flower). This may
be a tunicate as well, but I'm really not sure. A clear picture, may
just clear the picture! ;)
Thanks
<Welcome! Mich>
Jason |
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Bingo! |
Strange
growth on coral 10/11/07
Hi,
I have a coral that is growing a strange tip on one side. Now I have
string worms crawling on it too. What is it? Should I try to pry it off?
It is
getting bigger.
<Wow, that is very strange. My best guess is some kind of parasitic
barnacle or mollusk.>
Also, I am finding more and more of these worms in my tank. Should I do
something about them?
<Remove the growth. Whatever it is, it doesn't look good.>
Sammy
<Best,
Sara M.> |
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You got yourself an Ascidian there mister. RMF |
Crabs...
and Ascidian, IDs – 08/02/07
Hey Crew.
<Hey now! Mich here.>
It's been a long time since I last wrote (about 3 days).
<Heehee! That is a long time from this email address!>
I have some crabs in my display about which I'm curious. Pics are
attached. The first pic is just a cool, very big sea squirt that I
have--just a cool pic, no question.
<Neat!>
The second pic is of a decorator crab (I think Schizophrys dama).
<Likely so.>
It is small (maybe 1/4" tall) and I think it's a really cool crab
(watching him lumber about, etc.), but I also know your general
feeling about crabs. As you can see, he has poached some polyps from
my tree corals. I saw him molesting them tonight, although they
didn't seem to mind too much.
<Hopefully he's just fragging it and not noshing on it.>
Anyway, question #1 is whether I should get him out of the display
and, if so,
<He's not "reef safe".
whether I can put him in my 30g refugium (4-6" DSB with 4lbs live
rock and Chaeto)?
<Could.>
Will it eat my pods/Chaeto?
<I'm not sure. I'm not finding much on the diet of this particular
species but most crabs are opportunistic omnivores.>
I could put him in my 30g QT, but not much in there for him to do.
<This may be a good option.>
Third pic is of some type of filter feeding crab that I noticed
tonight. Not a very good picture, but it definitely has sweeper arms
that it uses to filter feed and you can clearly see its filters in
the attached pic. It doesn't look like any Porcelain Crab I've ever
seen (which is the only crab I found while researching that has
similar feather-like appendages). So, question #2 is any idea what
type of crab this is?
<Is likely a Neopetrolisthes or Petrolisthes species.>
Final question (no pic) is the suitability of what I think is a
Mithrax forceps (Red-Ridged Clinging Crab). It came in on some live
rock and I've been observing it for several months. It doesn't seem
to molest anything other than the little bit of macroalgae that I
had (notice past tense) in my display.
<"Seem to molest" is likely an accurate description... Most crabs
are opportunistic omnivores.>
Muchas gracias.
<De Nada!>
Andy
<Mich> |
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Local Reef club couldn't give me an ID,
hope you guys can. ID Question, need more details – 4/13/07
Hello,
<Hi Greg>
I posted pics at my local reef aquarium club and nobody was able to
id this mass. <Bring it on, I love a good challenge!> I picked out a
rock to frag some zoanthids and noticed this on the bottom of the
rock. I am assuming a pistol shrimp had tunneled under the rock. The
rock was sitting in the sandbed and I can't remember if it had space
under it for flow.
<Hmmm, that’s what I’d like to know too! My first thought is that
it’s a colonial tunicate/sea squirt colony of some sort. It’s not
unusual for them to be in protected areas or overhangs, but
underneath a rock like what you describe would seem to be pushing
it. However, I suppose it might be possible if there was enough room
under there and some degree of flow. What I’d like to do is get just
a little more information, such as how large the mass actually is.
It doesn’t have to be exact I’m just trying to get an idea of scale.
Also, are the tube-looking cells that make up the mass gelatinous,
soft, rubbery, or hard? Finally, if you notice anything else, please
let me know. Let’s see if we can figure this thing out!>
Thanks for your time,
Greg...
<You’re very welcome, Greg. I look forward to hearing back from you!
–Lynn>
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/heysemo/100_0392.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/heysemo/100_0391.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/heysemo/100_0390.jpg
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Re: Tunicate Id - 5/5/07
<Hello again! Lynn here.>
You called it perfectly. <Yay! Thank you so much for letting us know.> I placed
the rock higher in the tank to a position allowing me to see underneath the
rock. It is a tunicate. It's obvious to me now after seeing it fully expanded
and such. <I bet it’s beautiful too!>
Thanks for your opinion.. you guys nailed it..
<I'm so glad we could help, Greg.> |
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Grey disc with white circles... ID Tunicates
(Clavelina robusta) 3/21/07
Hi,
<Hello Allan, Mich here.>
Please could you let me know what this grey disc shape thing is please
(photo attached)
<Looks like a colony of tunicates, I believe Clavelina robusta.>
my tank has been set up for 4 weeks and I noticed this on the live rock
about 2 weeks it was about 1cm across.
It expands over a few days then sort of deflates and seems to spread or
grow, but today it seems as if it’s splitting into 2.
any help good or bad please.
Tunicate are a delightful addition. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ascidians.htm >
thanks
<Welcome! -Mich>
Allan |
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Green Tunicates 3/8/07
I just read your article "Almost US!? Sea Squirts, Tunicates,
Ascidians, Subphylum Urochordata, Phylum Chordata" on Wet Web media. I
was actually looking for a pic of some green growth I have in my tank,
that people referred to as tunicates, and recommended your article. I am
sure they are tunicates, but can you help identify what species? (See
pic, attached). I got them on some Gulf of Mexico LR from my LFS.
<I cannot identify these to species... perhaps a perusal of the popular
works of Dan Gotshall, Alex Kerstitch...>
Thought you might enjoy the picture to add to your "collection".
Thanks for all your help!
Best Regards,
Marti DuGuay
<Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner, who has traveled and dived in
Mexico's California for more than two years total time, but obviously
(due to lack of pix, knowledge) has only (shades of Karen Carpenter)
"only just begun".> |
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Tunicate Invasion 3/5/07
Hello:
<Hi.>
You have been very kind in the past in answering my questions and I hope
you can help me with this one. Not long after I transferred my very
healthy Dwarf Zebra Lionfish from to my 55 gallon display tank, I began
to notice white specks on the glass and ornaments. They were accompanied
by the things in the photos attached to this email. They look like some
kind of parasite but they are not affecting the fish at all. They are
though making my tank look terrible as you can see. I keep the water and
gravel very clean and I also scrape the glass but these things return.
The tank has been up for five years and I never saw these things UNTIL I
put the Lion in there. What are they and how do I get rid of them? As
always, any help is very much appreciated. Thank you for your time.
<These are tunicates, are not directly harmful/parasitic at all. Please
see WWM re: for more detail about them. an overabundance may indicate
an underlying nutrient issue though.>
Robert Sabbia
<Adam J.> |
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 Mmmm,
no. Are Syconoid sponges. RMF |
Martian Pictures, Ascidians at least 02/17/07
Hello Crew!
<Marti>
I have learned an amazing amount of information by reading and searching
through your site - thanks for such a great resource. I noticed that
people often have questions about "hitchhikers" on LR, and wanted to
send you two good pics of tunicates that may be found attached to them.
<Very nice images>
Based on information in your site, the translucent ones seem to be
Rhopalaea species (?R. crassa), but I am still not sure what species the
"green" Martians are. Can you help ID?
<Mmm, no... other than that they are tunicates... Both indicative of
your good care.>
Thanks again for a great resource!
Marti D.
<Thank you for your kind words and sharing your images! Bob Fenner> |
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Dismal survival: Lollipop "coral" Tunicate 3/14/05
Dear WetWebMedia, I've been trying to find information of blue tunicate:
http://seadwelling.com/v-web/gallery/MarineInvertebrate/bluetunacate080904
. However, I have not found its scientific name or any information of this species. Do you guys anything about it? Thanks a ton in advance, Robertino
<commonly ascribed to the genera Oxycorynia or Neptheis, this tunicate is referred to as the (blue) Lollipop "coral". It has an absolutely dismal rate of survival in captivity. It escapes me why the
organism is even collected or offered for casual hobby use (versus collected for
scientific use, study or at least species specific home tanks with focused care). Anthony>
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Coral or Tunicates? 11/9/05
Greetings crew (or Bob, of course)
<Hello Sam, stuck with Josh I'm afraid.>
Thanks to the help I've received from you folks over the past several months, I'm now enjoying watching new critters appear from the recent addition of live rock into what will eventually be a 125 gallon reef.
<Makes television seem overrated doesn't it!>
I awoke one morning, and discovered the critter pictured below, and am wondering if you can help identify it.
<I'll try.>
My best guess is that it is a hitchhiking bit of Pocillopora (verrucosa perhaps?).
<Hmm...Structure seems too smooth (no fuzzy appearance).>
I suppose I could just be patient and see what it turns into,
<I doubt it will change.>
but my patience is currently being spent on going fishless for 6 months to allow pods to develop.
<Good. Stocking too quickly reduces much that comes with live rock (I'm sure it's still torture).>
For what it's worth, this is a group of three, with the bubbly appendages extended. There are several other groups of single (polyps?), and I'm discovering more singles everyday.
<Sounds like tunicates to me.>
<<DEFINITELY appear to be tunicates to me. Very exciting,
this means your system is doing very well! Of note (explained
in further detail in the book "The Natural Marine Aquarium - Reef
Invertebrates", tunicates are actually members of the Phylum Chordata
- chordates are those with a spinal column (of sorts in a tunicate), Class
Ascidiacea Pretty neat, huh? Check out this site if you're
interested in ascidians http://ascidiacea.com/.
Also of note: There seems to be a difference in spelling of this class, I
find 'Ascidiacea' as well as 'Ascidiacea'. MH>>
More photos available if it will help. I don't currently have any with the appendages retracted, but could endeavor to take some.
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated,
<I hope it has.>
Thanks, Sam
<Welcome. - Josh> |
Sponge/Asc. identification 9/29/05
Is there any chance you could identify this splendid sponge for
me? At
least I think it is a sponge--it appears to have siphonophores. The
photo was taken in the Red Sea
<A nice pic... of an ascidian, sea squirt... Please see here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/ascidians.htm
Bob Fenner> |
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Strange Growths
Thanks for your reply. I'm still having a little trouble identifying this species. I looked at the tunicates using the links provided, but it doesn't seem to fit. A better way to describe these might be almost looking like maggots. They are solitary but are growing all over my filter bodies and media. They're pretty gross looking since they are the same color and shape as maggots. I'd like to get rid of them but they seem to be coming back once removed. Thanks for any further help you can give. Tim
<I would try to id them by answering the questions on Dr. Shimek's page, http://www.rshimek.com/animal_identifications1.htm. Once they are probably identified, I can help you figure out why they are so prolific. -Steven Pro>
Re: strange growths
No luck with that. The question section on that page pertains to creatures found in sand beds. I followed some of the other links for identifying and wasn't able to find anything. I looked at them more closely and notice they have a filamentous top around the opening and are spongy in appearance (rough, porous) and even feel sponge-like (soft and squishy).
<With this additional clue, I have a good idea of what you have, having seen it before myself. I believe it to be a tunicate, but I cannot find a picture of the one I am thinking of.>
Sorry to keep bothering you and I appreciate your help. Do you have any other suggestions/ideas?
<Sorry. I did flip through several of my books, but did not find what I was looking for. Anyway, they are not dangerous, more likely beneficial in removing dissolved organics.>
Thanks again, Tim
<You are welcome. -Steven Pro>
Sea Squirt Info. Search
Hello all and how is everyone? I have acquired a sea squirt and after trying to find on your web site could not find the particular one that I have. It's common name is Herdman's Sea Squirt it's scientific name is Herdmania
momus. If you could direct me in the right direction or give me any information you may have on this animal I would greatly appreciate it.
thanks for all your help you guys are great
Dela
<Mmmm, I suggest you place the scientific name in as many of the internet search engines that you can stand... this is what we'd have to do. I have never had a brush with this non-indigenous (though extant) species in the U.S. Bob Fenner>
Ascidians in the Great White North 7/19/03
Been trying to find some reference to these, but have not been able to find
one.
<Hmm... do look into our new Reef Invertebrate Book if you like. Beautiful
coverage of the ascidians if I may say so:
https://secure.wetwebmedia.com/order_form.jsp
http://wetwebfotos.com/store/nma-ri.html
>
They kinda look like tunicates to me, but I'm not sure.
<quite correct my friend!>
They are on the back of a powerhead. I noticed them a couple of days
ago and thought they were eggs, but closer inspection revealed "tails"
or "tentacles" coming from them.
They do appear to have 2 holes, like siphons.
<indeed... sea squirts. and a handsome colony at that. If you have higher res
pics of this colony and would be inclined to give permission to use them with
credit to you name, I'd love to stick them in a lecture or presentation for
example. Do send to readingtrees@yahoo.com if you can/are willing>
Help. Thanks, Noel
<with kind regards, Anthony>
Squishy thing ID...
Hi folks!
I found this really strange looking creature inhabiting a cave in a piece
of live rock I just bought today. It's soft and retracts into the cave
when touched. It has a clam shaped "mouth" which it opens as it
as the entrance to the cave, like you see in the picture
here. But, it doesn't leave the cave. Nor does it
extend anywhere past the entrance.
I am at a total loss. Any idea what it is? I need to ID it so I
can find out if it is beneficial or a pest.
<I doubt that it's a pest, but I cannot tell what it is from either
your description or the picture. Maybe it's some sort of tunicate? See if
you can take a better picture that's much larger than this one and I'll
give it another shot! -Kevin>
Tom |
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Re: Strange Unidentified hitchhiker
Unfortunately, I don't have a digital camera and can't get a better
shot. Oh well, I'll do so research on Tunicates and try to figure it
out.<good luck, IanB>
Thanks anyways.
Tom
Re: strange creature
I think it IS a Tunicate. A Flat Tunicate, I think is the type
this is. It is also light sensitive. I shined a flashlight onto it
directly and it closed it's mouth. It has a really wide maw. It
looks like a flat mollusk with a clam type mouth. No shell at all.
<Weird things do tend to show up from time to time on LR, IanB>
Tom
Clear Growths 7/22/03
How are you doing?...
<cheers>
first let me say that since I have entered the world of marine aquariums
your website has been a lifesaver....I have searched through your articles
for info on this particular question without any luck...perhaps I am not
using the right search terms.....I have a 55 gallon aquarium, Magnum 350
Canister, Duel Bio-Wheel, and Aqua-C Maxi Jet 1200 Remora skimmer, 70/30
mix (lbs) of live sand/crushed coral, 35 lbs of live rock (getting more,
love it), about 40 blue-legged crabs, a few Astraea snails, and two
black-tailed Dascyllus damselfish..... all chem levels (ammonia, nitrite,
nitrate) are nil ....ph 8.-8.1.....My tank is now three 1/2 months old,
since my tank has cycled I have noticed a burgeoning of life, especially
in the last month, it is amazing, little things here and there. Most of
the questions I have had about this developing of life I have been able to
find here or in books. Only recently I have noticed a clear
"growth" on my live rock which brings me FINALLY to my
question....What is it?....it is small enough that I am not able to get a
clear picture of it with my digital camera so I include a rough, rough
sketch of what it looks like to appear to me (imagine this image several
times smaller)...I hope it is of some use....I assume that these growths
are normal (if not good) as my tank is maturing, however, as a teacher
(and life time learner) I am always wanting to know as much as I can.... I
appreciate you time and hope to hear from you soon...Thank You.....Daniel
<a good sketch... it appears to be a tunicate (AKA sea
squirt/Ascidian). The opening at the top of each tube is the exhalent
opening. Do use these terms to search our website for pics that might look
familiar in form. No worries about a perfect match... too many to
name/illustrate all <G>. Anthony> |
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Ascidian ID
Hello,
<Hi there>
I have attached a photo of something which I think is a sea squirt that
came on a piece of cured live rock.
<Does look like one to me as well>
I do not know if you can tell from the photo but any help of identifying
this critter will be great.
What should I be concerned with if it is a sea squirt, this is a fish only
tank with some live rock.
Thanks for the help
Drew
<Completely innocuous. You can read about these animals on
WetWebMedia.com
Bob Fenner> |
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Please help ID this hitchhiker: Ascidians 11/17/03
http://ebay.webyhost.com/IMG_0179.JPG
Thank you, James
<it is an ascidian colony, James. Some "colonial" tunicates
(AKA Sea squirts. Anthony> |
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Tunicate Or Extraterrestrial?
All Hail the Crew:
<Scott F. here with you today!>
I was hoping you guys could help ID something that is growing in my tank. I have
attached a picture. As you may be able to see, it is translucent with
a white stripe around the bottom opening. There is also another
opening at the front. There appears to be an outer lining surrounding
an inner body. Thanks for the great site! Rich
<Nice photo, Rich. I think that you have a tunicate of some sort here,
possibly a Rhopalaea species. Or- it could be some sort of alien creature of
some sort...LOL. In actuality, tunicates are harmless, interesting animals that
are all part of the diversity of your tank. Enjoy it! Regards, Scott F.> |
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New tank + picture ID
OK--I'll try it again at this address. R/Janet
<Got it!>
New tank + picture
Hi--here's a picture with the red thing--you can see two
"mouths" on it, one
in the middle and one on one end. The thing flexes, but doesn't move, per
se. The mouths open and stay open for awhile, then close tightly. The
green
thing is above it. We' ve had a bunch of those pop out. Any ideas what
these
are?
<Yep... good clues. Very likely an ascidian, sea squirt. Please see
here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ascidians.htm>
I know it's a little blurry, but it's hard to photograph through glass.
Yesterday I found what looked like to be a small mucus sac up on a rock.
When I came back, one of the brown crabs was eating at it. Any idea what
that might have been?
<Perhaps just a bit of algae... amazing what pops up in these systems,
eh?>
If this is a sea cucumber, can you tell if it's a
non-poisonous kind? The hermit crab is sort of aggressive and I've seen
him
nipping at it. After reading the articles on your site about sea
cucumbers,
I'm thinking I may not want one!
<Most hermits will nibble on most anything...>
Another question--the hermit crab ate the clam. The clam was slightly
open,
and certainly appeared alive (he was opening and closing his shell
periodically). The crab got his legs in there and pretty much cleaned out
the clam shell. My husband thinks this means the clam was already dead and
there must be a problem with the water.
<Maybe... I'd not take bets for sure on either side>
We also saw a dead brown crab today
(maybe the one that at the mucus sac?). We have corals growing and the
fish
are fine, so except for the water being a little warm (we've gotten the
temp
down from 82F to 80F), I think it's OK. The water looks good and the algae
problem is gone. I've tested for the usual suspects, and nitrates and
nitrites are 0, ammonia might be a trace (those color kits are sometimes
tough to read), and pH is 8.3. Are there any other things I should test
for,
and will hermit crabs eat live clams? I'd like to buy a few blue-green
Chromis today, but he's worried that something is wrong.
<Not all... or better put, there are species that are a much better
gamble
than others. See WetWebMedia.com here for suggestions or NMA Reef
Invertebrates.>
Our clowns (the false Percula kind) are fine and I am wondering if they
might be breeding, based on the behavior I see in my fresh tanks. They
hide
together and mostly only one comes out and swims. The other just comes out
slightly from the hiding place. Both appear healthy and are swimming fine.
Do clowns breed in tanks, or do you need a special set-up?
<Does happen... see WWM...>
Another crab question--this crab changes shells several times a day. Have
you ever heard of that? He never stops eating, either.
<Typical>
How would we know if we have mantis shrimp in the tank? Would they have
eaten the fish by now?
<... WWM>
Thanks in advance for your help. I do appreciate it. R/Janet
<Be chatting... and reading. Bob Fenner> |
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