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

[ReeferKimberly]

Ok, I have about 5 ... million of these tiny little white things spawning in my tank. They look like tiny little brittle stars?

And then there is this star... Seems to just eat algae so far

First ones are hydroids, those kind tend to show up in new tanks and are not much of a problem. Second is an asterina star. 95% of people have little problem with them besides their reproducing often and eating coralline algae but some people think they are predatory to some corals. It is possible, there are different species. I personally have not had a problem with them.

 

[jlessary]

What is that?

What is that?

Hey guys (and gals) just got my live rock in and got a few critters/things I am curious about.

Picked up the rock form local LFS who had pretty much just got it from the ocean that morning. I already caught one crab from it and know I got one more just can't catch him so THANKS for the trap ideas. going to try that tonight. Do ALL the lights need to be off? I have 2 blue lunar LED's on my light system I have been keeping on, is this OK?

Now for the fun part. First one I didn't even notice till the LED's were on and it kind of had a yellow glow. I couldn't get a picture of that (need a better camera) but here it is.

My cam sucks I tried to get one under the blue lunar glow.

Next one is it a worm of some sort (bristle?) or some sort of Star Fish? It is growing all over one end of this rock. at night it seemed to disappear but when the lights came back on this morning it was back.

Next one is a fan looking thing this is the best picture I could get of it. It is a red wineish in color about 3/4 inch tall and lace looking.

Behind it is what I describe as Purpleish anus looking thing... sponge of some sort?

I believe that is all for now I am sure I will find more.... I sit and rock watch from about 11 - midnight just waiting for something to happen.... I have no life LOL!

 

[jlessary]

Sorry here are the rest of the photos in order...

 

[jlessary]

And I forgot one... This is on the side of one of my rocks... kind of whiteish in color with black spots.

Thanks for the help with these guys/things.

 

[jlessary]

Better picture of the Wormy thing... ITS NOT A WORM! looks like some sort of Star but not sure what type or if I should keep them there muxt be at least 4 or 5 on this rock.

 

[justinr2k]

Better picture of the Wormy thing... ITS NOT A WORM! looks like some sort of Star but not sure what type or if I should keep them there muxt be at least 4 or 5 on this rock.

Bristle star. Keep it!

 

[justinr2k]

And I forgot one... This is on the side of one of my rocks... kind of whiteish in color with black spots.

Thanks for the help with these guys/things.

A sponge. It's fine.

 

[justinr2k]

Sorry here are the rest of the photos in order...

Mushroom?
Bristle Star
Bristle Star
Macro Algae of some kind?
Sponge

All OK if my identifications were correct. If that's a mushroom it's awesome. Free mushroom. If that's some type of macro algae it will probably just get eaten by a fish or crab.

 

[jlessary]

Mushroom?
Bristle Star
Bristle Star
Macro Algae of some kind?
Sponge

All OK if my identifications were correct. If that's a mushroom it's awesome. Free mushroom. If that's some type of macro algae it will probably just get eaten by a fish or crab.

THANKS! I have about 5 - 7 of the Mushrooms over all of the rock that is the biggest. I didn't even notice it till the lunars came on last night.

Since the tank is still cycling I am sure I will loose about half if not all of this but they look cool for now.

 

[Margoren]

Id Crab please

Id Crab please

We got this crab with our TBS rock. Its claws are white. Is it a gorilla crab? Maybe too small to have black claws?
It doesn't appear hairy either like the gorilla crabs we have in our tank. But maybe that is because he is still small?


Thanks for your help!

 

[jlessary]

I am interested in this too... I have several of those and 2 that I haven't seen come out of the rock yet... they look BIG! like 3/4 of an inch body BIG! How can I get them to leave the nice safety of the rock?

 

[salajander]

There's something else in another rock. It's one-or-more long white thread-like appendages that come out of the rock. First time we noticed it it push something out - feces? In this photo you can see it, and it seems to have grabbed an empty mysis molt. Any ideas?

And here's a better shot of the bristle worm I posted about a week or two back. Does it still look like a beneficial one?

 

[jlessary]

I think I just found a Purple Sea Urchin on my rock... Good or Bad?

Its got dark purple or black spines with white tips. I will try to get a picture when it moves to a better location all I can see of it now are the tops of the spines.

Josh

 

[enforcer8621]

Eucinid?



I pulled a small piece of rock out to burn off an aptasia. After rinsing in rodi he was on the sand below where I was placing the rock.

 

[trimblelake]

Any idea what these are growing on live rock? good bad?

 

[shermanator]

I'm pretty sure this is a normal bristle worm, but can you tell without seeing the "mouth"? I was surprised how long it was (6") considering how young this tank is (3 months) and given this is the first time I've seen it (but spend at least an hour each night looking for new life).

From the picture, does that suggest bristle or do I need to get a glimpse of the head to see if it has antenna (to rule out bobbitt worm)?

 

[jlessary]

Urchin?

Urchin?

Found this guy last night and tonight he just came out for a good pic. good or bad??? He is only out at night haven't seen him at all with the lights on had to supirse him with a flashlight to get this. Mainly going for a FOWLR but might add some coral down the line.

 

[jlessary]

OK I am hearing a series of ticks form my tank. Everything I have read says pistol or mantis shrimp... I only ever hear 2 - 4 ticks at random intervals...

My questions are this...
At what salinity is it considered SUPER? anything over 2.00? How long do I leave the rocks in that?

AND....

I keep reading the best way to get rid of them is a super salinity dunk for the LR that is suspect But what does this do to other things living on that rock? the pic above with the possible urchin and bristle star is the suspect rock... and there are SEVERAL bristle stars on it like 6 - 8 if I am counting right. Will I loose them too?

 

[justinr2k]

OK I am hearing a series of ticks form my tank. Everything I have read says pistol or mantis shrimp... I only ever hear 2 - 4 ticks at random intervals...

My questions are this...
At what salinity is it considered SUPER? anything over 2.00? How long do I leave the rocks in that?

AND....

I keep reading the best way to get rid of them is a super salinity dunk for the LR that is suspect But what does this do to other things living on that rock? the pic above with the possible urchin and bristle star is the suspect rock... and there are SEVERAL bristle stars on it like 6 - 8 if I am counting right. Will I loose them too?

Wow, you really got some "live" rock! I've never read about super salinity dunk. If you dip in something, I would almost guarantee it will hurt everything, not just the bad things. I wouldn't dip it. Just keep watch. The urchin may be fine. Most likely reef safe. My pistol shrimp snaps his little claw all the time.

 

[jlessary]

The rock I got comes from the RyuKyu trench close to Okinawa Japan. It is FULL of life including crabs too. Trying the bottle trick on them tonight to attempt to get rid of some of them. I still haven't seen what is clicking....