ID Help, GOT PICTURE

[jnarowe]

Below is a series of 3 photos taken by Eric from The Shark Reef. I just don't have the capability to photograph something this small so a big thanks to Eric!!

This "thing" was found in my system on a colony of declining zoanthids and has been living in this test vial for more than two months. I have NOT opened it for any reason.

A couple of interesting notes:

1. The water was clean when I initially isolated this invert and now appears to have some tissue and what look a lot like feces (black dots). I believe this because they are not uniform enough IMO to be eggs.

2. It has moved a bit since being placed in the test vial, but I have never seen it move.

So my question is, what the heck is it??

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

sponge??

 

[jnarowe]

possibly. It has been suggested it could be a sponge that moves very slowly.

 

[melev]

Perhaps it is related to the Turkey Liver Sponge. It usually is about that color, feels leathery hard, and encrusts over rock. I've not seen it in that shape.

You could try mixing up a little milk with water, and squirt it in front of that thing to see if it sucks it in and exhales it.

 

[jnarowe]

I may try that soon. Marc. No way it is a Turkey Liver Sponge. I have that and they are very different.

 

[melev]

It kind of looks like a cuttlefish egg too. I have no idea. Back to my thread I go...

 

[jnarowe]

 

[charlesr1958]

Strange timing. I got bored today and pulled a live rock out of my refugium to see what critters it contained and found pretty much the same thing as shown above. I remembered this thread and pulled it off the rock, It is definetely a sponge, smooth surfaced, hard to the touch and has a single vent. To be sure, I cut it open and yes, it was a sponge. I should have taken a photo of it but had cut it up by the time that thought came to be.
Also, if you look closely at your photo, you can just about see through its outer "skin" and see the sponge like structures inside, those of us who have seen enough sponges will recognize that "look"

Chuck

 

[jnarowe]

SO A SPONGE THAT MOVES?

 

[charlesr1958]

Yes its possible, some sponge species can move.

http://www.bbm.me.uk/portsdown/PH_321_Sponge.htm

Chuck

 

[jnarowe]

this one doesn't lack symmetry but I suppose that's not enough to stand on.

Can anyone connect me with the right person to send this thing to?

 

[charlesr1958]

The lack of symmetry would not cause me to doubt any sponge as I have found quite a few species that appear to be perfect little spheres. I'll have to get some decent photos of the next ones and include them into my hitch hiker pages.
Wish I could help you out on who to send it to, I imagine Leslie would know of such a person(s). Might be awhile as I haven't seen her online for some time now, hopefully all is well and she is simply on vacation as I dread the thought that she may have gotten sick of us...lol

Chuck

 

[jnarowe]

seen her on RF right?

 

[charlesr1958]

Well, hopefully she will chime in soon.

Chuck

 

[greenbean36191]

It certainly looks like a sponge to me.

 

[JCTewks]

Jonathan...maybe it's an olive from a martini that got lost in the sump :lol::lol:

 

[jnarowe]

:lol: don't think that didn't cross my mind, but my olives are stuffed with garlic!

 

[JCTewks]

Well, with the garlic, the fish would have jumped out of the tank to get it :lol: