Hitchiker on Coral ID Please

[Aquagoblin]

Hi all,

First, I'm not sure if I have posted in the correct forum - if not, please suggest the right one.

I have a new SunPolyp (64 heads) and in the center of the skeletal body is a very active critter. It is small at 1/4" and the best way to describe it is that it has a small bird-like beak with something that resembles a feather duster but flat, not round shooting out about 1/4 inch and does this every two seconds or so. The "beak" opens and this tongue-like thing pops out and goes back in.

It will take mysis and brine. It has a brown and tan and white pattern but real hard to see.

Thoughts? It can't be part of the coral...

Thanks,

Gary

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Might be a barnacle. Do a google image search to see if it looks like what you have.

 

[charlesr1958]

I agree, it sure does sound like a barnacle. If so, it will most likely cause the death of the coral polyp it has burrowed into.

Chuck

 

[Aquagoblin]

Yup, you guys call that one right. It is definitely a barnacle.

Should I leave it alone?

I sure don't want it to harm the Sun Polyps as I have a hard enough time keeping it going.

Thanks.

 

[Elysia]

I have a huge barnacle living on top of a fist-sized oyster (that is the substrate for a colony of hairy mushrooms.) The three have lived in captivity now for nine months. I also have some much smaller barnacles living in two different gorgonians, and so far (less than a year) both are doing well. I was shocked the first time I saw the large baracle take in a frozen brine shrimp. I had no idea that a barnacle could eat something that size! That is why observing your tank can be so interesting!