Pix & ID: Critters that come in your rocks: the good and the bad.

[garypalmer12]

Not sure what this thing is that's on my coral, it has loads of long tentacle things that spread across the sand

 

[cloak]

Terebellid worm?

http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

 

[garypalmer12]

Not sure if this one is that, the worm things coming out are various thicknesses and colours, some are blood red while others are grey with dark rings

 

[cloak]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rs/index.php

 

[brendanwp]

2 more ID's please

2 more ID's please

The white things wrapped around my sea fan I have seen somewhere but can't find it. The other thing looks like some sort of sea urchin. Thanks in advance!

 

[alexander_ktn]

The urchin could be a Colobocentrotus species, as for the white things: they do look a bit like some gastropod egg strnads to me, but it's hard to say from the image...

Cheers, Alex

 

[woodnaquanut]

Bad guy?

Bad guy?

I'm guessing yes because it doesn't look like any Bergia I've ever seen.

Can anyone ID?

 

[alexander_ktn]

It's an aeolid nudibranch - many of which are coral predators - so if you have zoanthids or montipora you should examine them.

 

[woodnaquanut]

It's an aeolid nudibranch - many of which are coral predators - so if you have zoanthids or montipora you should examine them.

Thanks. Found it in a QT tank that has one zoa and one monti. Thought it was odd that it was half way across the tank from them. I though they would stay with their food source.

 

[alexander_ktn]

Most of the time they do, but some seem to stray a bit - maybe to find new victims... If it's a zoa-eating nudibranch you should see spiral-shaped egg masses on the colony.

 

[billy mitchell]

after the disappearance of hermit crabs and a turbo snail and my beautiful fire purple dart fish I stripped half the tank down looking for the culprit ...a big crab...after month of trying to catch it I finally have it in the sump ...now can anyone tell me what it is ...seems to have doubled in size in 6 months ...maybe might get to the dinner plate size .....

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[alexander_ktn]

Carpilius corallinus - the biggest crab of the Caribbean... Good that you have it in the sump. Feed it with meaty foods from time to time and it should make an interesting - albeit absolutely not fish or reef safe - animal.

It's edible & grows up to about 6 inches (carapace).

Edit: I have to add this image so one can appreciate the size it can grow to: http://www.n-the-florida-keys.com/images/batwing-coral-crab-florida-keys.jpg

 

[PsymonStark]

Hey - I need help to ID please.

Bought this Discosoma and i saw this weird sludge thing sitting inside the plastic bag.
there about 2-3 of them. Tried taking a photo - Pretty hard!

Flatworm?
Keep

http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q634/psymon234/critter_zpsb87f0811.jpg?

 

[Puffyluv]

Nope, discard...they aren't coral predators per se...but they hang out on mushrooms and block the light. :-( Too many and the mushroom can actually die.

 

[PsymonStark]

Nope, discard...they aren't coral predators per se...but they hang out on mushrooms and block the light. :-( Too many and the mushroom can actually die.

ah. ok. Thank you. Do you know what they called? Want to improve my knowledge :twitch:

 

[Puffyluv]

Well, sort of...don't know the exact species that would be...but they are called acoel flatworms.

 

[cloak]

ah. ok. Thank you. Do you know what they called? Want to improve my knowledge :twitch:

Maybe this link will help. There's a few pictures that looks similar.

http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

 

[NaasReefer]

I have a few of these nudibranch going round my tank. Will they do any harm?

 

[alexander_ktn]

I have a few of these nudibranch going round my tank. Will they do any harm?

It appears to be an Elysia or Thuridilla species - algae eaters.

 

[xvgxcgh]

Thanks for those pix. Never have seen one of those guys. My cheato moss is so tame, in the pod department. But I have an amazing collection of limpets.