egg? inside hammer

[riotj]

Okay so I noticed these little round dots inside this hammer I recently acquired. Eggs of some sort - obviously not hammer eggs. They are moving around inside the tentacles. Any ideas?
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[adam82]

tagging along. i'd like to know as well.

 

[storrisch]

euphyllia has been known to bud off small tips that turn into colonies if they dont meet the overflow or powerhead. I wonder if these could be the start of that process.

 

[adam82]

that would be something pretty cool to see.

 

[riotj]

no these are little eggs or something. They are floating around inside. How they got in there I have no clue. Only had it for about a week. Very odd indeed.

 

[paininthewrasse]

airbubbles?

 

[riotj]

they're not clear for air bubbles. they are a peachy color. When the lights come on I'll check to see if there are more or less or the same.

 

["Umm fish?"]

From what I can tell, Euphyllias are tentacle brooders. Congratulations!

Euphyllia ancora George Eggs February, 2002

Notes: reported to happen every 4-5 weeks; eggs collect inside tentacles as in other reports.

From here: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-06/eb/index.php

I believe that in mine, sperm also collected in the tentacles and was even released from the tentacles. (Brooders release sperm into the water for other corals to collect. Then the corals hold their eggs until they develop enough to be free swimming larvae and then release the eggs.)

Can you try to get more photos? I know it's hard because the tentacles move so much.

My photos are all collected here: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1013964&highlight=euphyllia

 

[riotj]

Definately don't look like your pics but maybe they haven't started leaving the tentacles yet. They seem to have lessened but gotten bigger as if they are merging. Maybe it is a waste product that will eventualy be expelled through the mouth.

 

[riotj]

I take that back. They are still the same size and shape.

 

[Azurel]

That's awsome great job........

 

["Umm fish?"]

Let us know. I'm eager to hear what happens!