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View Full Version : ID unknown hitchhiker (coral? pest?)

c_scherer123
10-18-2009, 03:10 AM
I have no real way to describe this. It is about an inch round, oval shape. Last time I thoroughly inspected the live rock was about 3 weeks, that particular rock has been in my tank since April. It is in a very shady spot.
It seems to be uniformly attached to the rock (ie no clear base like aiptasia) and doesn't seem to react to touch, movement, or light change.
This particular rock has had problems with hair algae, though the other rocks are fine...
Can anyone ID it?
link to a larger/clearer picture: http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/aquarium/Saltwater/unknown1.jpg
http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/aquarium/Saltwater/unknown2.jpg
http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/aquarium/Saltwater/unknown3.jpg
http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/aquarium/Saltwater/unknown.jpg
tlo
10-18-2009, 04:09 AM
it looks like a type of sponge to me
banditpowdercoat
10-18-2009, 05:07 AM
I 2nd the sponce. Theres like a bazillion different sponges
untamed
10-18-2009, 05:29 AM
Tunicate...possibly? One of the kind that grow in clusters. Sponge or Tunicate, either way it is harmless.
c_scherer123
10-18-2009, 03:52 PM
I am not sure what it is, but it is very pretty in my books. If it is not a pest, I wouldn't mind a few more of them!
Though I would be curious to find out exactly what it is.
Leah
10-18-2009, 04:15 PM
I am not sure what it is, but it is very pretty in my books. If it is not a pest, I wouldn't mind a few more of them!
Though I would be curious to find out exactly what it is.

Very pretty, was what I thought too! :biggrin: But sometimes the worse they are, he he! :wink: Curious to know as well.
Myka
10-18-2009, 07:43 PM
Does it react to light or you touching it (use feeding prongs or something in case it is toxic)?

If it does react I'm leaning more towards an anemone. If it doesn't react, and is unchangable for the most part from one day to the next then I vote for sponge/tunicate too.
c_scherer123
10-18-2009, 08:55 PM
Does it react to light or you touching it (use feeding prongs or something in case it is toxic)?

If it does react I'm leaning more towards an anemone. If it doesn't react, and is unchangable for the most part from one day to the next then I vote for sponge/tunicate too.

I used a glasseye dropper (used for feeding frozen food) and gave it a thorough poking - absolutely no reaction, other than being slightly crushed. It was hidden behind some mushrooms and I thought it might have been a majano, but it wasn't until the mushrooms retracted some that I got a clearer look.
But what got me confused is that it doesn't look like the sponges I am used to seeing (not that I have seen many varieties yet). It almost looks 'feathery'.
fishoholic
10-18-2009, 11:34 PM
I was just thinking it looked kinda too feathery to be a sponge, but I have no idea what it actually is. Sort of looks like a feather duster but obviously not without a tube to retract into.
Myka
10-19-2009, 02:28 AM
I used a glasseye dropper (used for feeding frozen food) and gave it a thorough poking - absolutely no reaction, other than being slightly crushed. It was hidden behind some mushrooms and I thought it might have been a majano, but it wasn't until the mushrooms retracted some that I got a clearer look.
But what got me confused is that it doesn't look like the sponges I am used to seeing (not that I have seen many varieties yet). It almost looks 'feathery'.

Sorry, I now see you answered my question in your first post, I just didn't read it all... :o

Not an anemone then...but I'm not totally sold on it being a sponge or tunicate either. Try sending your pics to Wet Web Media. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ click on "Ask WWM". They are quick at replying.
i have crabs
10-19-2009, 03:02 AM
hydroids maybe?
fishoholic
10-19-2009, 03:15 AM
hydroids maybe?

Sort of looks like it could be

http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/groundfish/HAPC/Images/hydroid_synopsis.jpg
c_scherer123
10-19-2009, 03:05 PM
Sorry, I now see you answered my question in your first post, I just didn't read it all... :o

Not an anemone then...but I'm not totally sold on it being a sponge or tunicate either. Try sending your pics to Wet Web Media. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ click on "Ask WWM". They are quick at replying.

Out of curiosity I emailed them, they believe it to be either:
Eudistoma sp. Heron Island, Capricorn Group, Queensland, Australia.
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AscidianPIX/Ascidians3.htm

or possibly
Distaplia occidentalis
http://emeralddiving.com/id_ascidians.html

It could be either, but I can't seem to get a good enough look at the one in the tank as it is at a funny angle and it hidden behind mushrooms.