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

[Karliah]

It might be a sponge, but fungus or a bacterial mat is another possibility. Stuff like this is actually pretty common in new tanks, but it usually runs it's course given time. How old is the tank?



http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/ (Info Links > Hitch Hikers > Algae)

This tank is about a week old. I'm just concerned that it's going to choke out the macros and sponges. Never had this happen before.
About how long would you say it typically takes to die back on it's own?

 

[cloak]

Weeks, if not months and this all under the impression that your parameters are somewhat stable. It's usually die off that causes this if I'm not mistaken. It might just be a sponge though.

 

[TrenchToast]

got another one heh. although it disappeared after cutting off pumps to feed. maybe 1/8 inch across

Looking outside in on face of glass:


Looking from the side:

 

[cloak]

Hydroid jellyfish. Quite common in new tanks, but they usually disappear as quickly as they showed up.

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

 

[Karliah]

Weeks, if not months and this all under the impression that your parameters are somewhat stable. It's usually die off that causes this if I'm not mistaken. It might just be a sponge though.

All params in check and stable. Hoping it'll go away wither way.

 

[Barny]

Last night I was I was looking for critters in the dark when I saw a thread like thing about 4" long wrapped around a rock going into a clam embedded in the rock. Then I noticed a second one. They were coming out of a very small maybe 1/16" hole in the rock. I tried to kill it with boiling water but I doubt that it worked. I did manage to suck off one of its tentacles.
This thing seems pretty evil.
Any idea what it is and how to kill it?
I'd like to get a syringe with a long needle and inject very salty water into the hole but I don't know where to get one.
Apparently you get them on Amazon.
Thank you

 

[cloak]

Digitate Hydroid perhaps?

 

[Barny]

Thank you.
After looking at pictures I don't think that's it.
I can't say for sure but i think I could see food moving in the tentacle back to the hole.
The tentacle appeared smooth and had no banding.
I ran across Chaetopterids, it's tentacles look about right but from what I've read they don't extend them like this, don't feed like this and are considered beneficial.

 

[cloak]

Hmm.. Does anything in this link look familiar?

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

 

[Barny]

After your suggestion last time that was the first place I looked.
If haven't killed it already I'll try to take a pic tonight.
I ordered syringes just in case.

 

[Barny]

The Evil One

The Evil One

It's not dead and it has quite a few tentacles.

 

[Barny]

I decided this thing is too destructive to wait so i removed the rock took some pictures then packed it with salt.

I'll let it dry out for a few days before i put it back.
If you have a mysterious dead spot 6" or more in diameter this may be your problem.

 

[Montireef]

Weird eggs

Weird eggs

I have noticed hundreds of these weird eggs under some rocks and plugs.

Any idea?

 

[blt4ever]

found this in my chaeto, any ideas?

 

[cloak]

Caulerpa racemosa.

 

[vokuro]

Might be a sponge but can't tell for sure. Any thoughts?

 

[cloak]

It looks like a sponge to me as well.

 

[vokuro]

It looks like a sponge to me as well.

Much obliged.

 

[lolSam]

What is growing out of my live rock? It is definitely growing.

Tank has only been running for 3 days.

 

[lolSam]

What is this? Growing out of my live rock. It's definitely growing quickly. Tank is only on day 3.