Blue things in Leptastrea

[mollymonticello]

I thought these might be coral hermit crabs at first, but I've been watching them, and they don't move much. They are very tiny, about 2 or 3 mm long. The coral is from Australia. Anyone know what they might be?

<a href="http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/mollymonticello/?action=view&current=DSC_0008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/mollymonticello/DSC_0008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[mscarpena]

Do they seem to be eating the coral. That coral has some die off. I have no idea, but they are really neat.

 

[mollymonticello]

No, they don't eat the coral for sure. They seem to be some kind of filter feeder.

The coral has a little bit of die-off, but it seems to already be coming back. I don't think it's caused by them, because it was worse on the other side of the coral.

The blue thing with the orange spot on it has a lot of mucous on it, I wonder if it's dying. And why does it have an orange spot on it?

 

[Myrddraal]

They look almost like beetles. Very interesting.

 

[LeslieH]

Whatever they are they're gorgeous. Try to pop a few off & take some photographs of them with more detail in a dish.

 

[Grunt]

Our LFS has had a few on Austrailian corals lately. I'll see if I can get some pictures as well.

I know for a fact, one was hermit of some sort.

 

[Grunt]

Check this thread. Awesome picture. I would assume a color variation possibly?

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1631835

 

[Elysia]

I noticed something similar at the LFS the other day. I'm pretty sure the piece is still there -- I'll go back and have a look to see if the crabs are like the ones pictured here, or the ones in the link (it was a so-called "Christmas tree worm colony" and the tank it is in, I'm not sure it has enough light for the coral, so hopefully all is still well by the time I make it over there.)

 

[mollymonticello]

Well, don't I feel silly. They are barnacles! The blue things kind of "pop up" and the feathery feeder hand thing of a barnacle comes out of each one. Mystery solved.

This coral ALSO came with a commensal hermit crab He is adorable. He's really little, too, about 3 mm big. I've seen bigger ones, I hope he does well and grows! I have been target feeding him liquid phytoplankton.

<a href="http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/mollymonticello/?action=view&current=DSC_0049.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa65/mollymonticello/DSC_0049.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[MartinEric]

Little feathery hand that comes out and waves then disappears back inside then yep barnicle. Cool filter feeders I've never had any as colorful as yours though usually mine have been white to brown.

 

[Elysia]

Felicia -- the coral hermit in the "Christmas tree worm rock" at the LFS looks exactly like the one that you have. Its a cute little thing -- very small but clearly visible if you are looking for it. I've not seen barnacles quite like those before, either, but there are so many different kinds of crustaceans...