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

[Randy Marsh]

Here's another shot.

Here's another shot.

 

[QuiGonJay]

Coral on Live Rock - ID?

Coral on Live Rock - ID?

OK, first go round. I've had pretty good luck IDing the creatures by scanning the threads but not as lucky with coral. 4 photos, each with what (I think) is some sort of coral on the live rock. Also, on the 4th photo, there are three of the coral like mounds. Two still appear normal while the third appears to be bleaching and turning white. Any suggestions to help it out? Just at the end of the tank cycle - no fish yet, just the live rock and a very small clean up crew of the hitchhikers (like the urchin in photo 2 - any ideas on his species) and a few hermits and snails. Thanks in advance!

 

[QuiGonJay]

Unknown Slug Like Creature

Unknown Slug Like Creature

Here is the one critter I couldn't find on the forum thread (or perhaps I missed). Bad photo, but I'm going to use the 'small and nocturnal' defense. Dead center of the photo, less than 1/2 inch, slug like with two antennae or eyestalks at front of body (which is pointing down on the photo). Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[cloak]

OK, first go round. I've had pretty good luck IDing the creatures by scanning the threads but not as lucky with coral. 4 photos, each with what (I think) is some sort of coral on the live rock. Also, on the 4th photo, there are three of the coral like mounds. Two still appear normal while the third appears to be bleaching and turning white. Any suggestions to help it out? Just at the end of the tank cycle - no fish yet, just the live rock and a very small clean up crew of the hitchhikers (like the urchin in photo 2 - any ideas on his species) and a few hermits and snails. Thanks in advance!

The second picture looks like a Gorgonian of some sort. (harmless) The third picture is of a Carribean Rose coral I believe. As far as the first & fourth pictures go, they have a particular name to them, but I can't remember it right now. I want to say Hidden Cup coral for the first picture, and a Favia or Favites for the fourth one, but I don't think those are right. It's something else.

 

[cloak]

Here is the one critter I couldn't find on the forum thread (or perhaps I missed). Bad photo, but I'm going to use the 'small and nocturnal' defense. Dead center of the photo, less than 1/2 inch, slug like with two antennae or eyestalks at front of body (which is pointing down on the photo). Any suggestions appreciated!

This looks like a harmless Stomatella snail.

 

[QuiGonJay]

Thanks for the info Cloak.

 

[QuiGonJay]

One more. Any urchin experts that can ID this guy? I'm thinking E. lacunter or viridius but don't really know. Live rock was aquacultured from Florida. Do other species show up on live rock with any frequency?

Kind of concerned that he's wandering over this cup coral-y sort of thing. Didn't think they ate coral, but not sure what else he'd be doing on there . . .

 

[killinit123]

OK, first go round. I've had pretty good luck IDing the creatures by scanning the threads but not as lucky with coral. 4 photos, each with what (I think) is some sort of coral on the live rock. Also, on the 4th photo, there are three of the coral like mounds. Two still appear normal while the third appears to be bleaching and turning white. Any suggestions to help it out? Just at the end of the tank cycle - no fish yet, just the live rock and a very small clean up crew of the hitchhikers (like the urchin in photo 2 - any ideas on his species) and a few hermits and snails. Thanks in advance!

the third pic to me looks like a symphilia coral a type of brain its is lps. i used to have one that i got from a piece of live rock. they are beautiful yours looks very hungry tho so you might want to think about feeding it as for the urchin im not exactly sure of the spieces but i also have the same one in my tank ow about 6" in diameter they are harmless IMO

 

[QuiGonJay]

Thanks. I've been alternating DT's phyto and the Reef Nutrition live oyster feast each day to try and feed the hitchhiking corals, but sounds like I need to increase the amount a bit.

By the way, how do you tell a coral is hungry?

 

[Fishlover22]

New tank

New tank

Hello,my name is alex and im planning on getting a new fishtank in a couple of months and i was wondering if its possible to have any type of puffer in a 100 gallon tank. These puffer also will have a housemate which will be a watchmen goby (yellow). Any suggestions are appreciated

 

[shesacharmer]

I've started having some trouble with a Jasmine Polyp (seriously? I know!) It looks as though it's being stung but I can't see anything that has been bothering it. Today I saw some clear growths, looking like a plant of some transparent variety, growing up out of it. As it is not close to the front and the suspect is clear it's rather hard to photograph but hopefully it's visible enough for someone to ID. Not sure if I can get it out of there as if I remove the rock it will no longer be visible, I'm sure.

 

[shesacharmer]

Here is another picture of the second 'branch' sticking straight up from the top of the polyps against the overflow.

 

[hogfanreefer]

One more. Any urchin experts that can ID this guy? I'm thinking E. lacunter or viridius but don't really know. Live rock was aquacultured from Florida. Do other species show up on live rock with any frequency?

Kind of concerned that he's wandering over this cup coral-y sort of thing. Didn't think they ate coral, but not sure what else he'd be doing on there . . .

Not sure what species but I had exactly the same one on my Gulf live rock. Great algae eaters but they grew amazingly fast. They went from quarter size to 4-5" across in a few months. They started on my coralline when they ran out of regular algae.

 

[StangLvr78]

what is this?

what is this?

Can anyone tell me what these things are in my tank....the white stuff in my polyps and the things in my live rock

 

[DDon]

Can anyone tell me what these things are in my tank....the white stuff in my polyps and the things in my live rock

Both look to be types of sponges from what I can tell.

 

[StangLvr78]

Both look to be types of sponges from what I can tell.

Do you know what kind of sponges so i can read up on them so they don't die.

 

[DDon]

Do you know what kind of sponges so i can read up on them so they don't die.

Check out tube or spaghetti sponge for second pic. I believe the scientific name is leucosolenia nautilia.

 

[shesacharmer]

Do you know what kind of sponges so i can read up on them so they don't die.

The first one looks like pineapple sponge. Harmless filter feeder.

 

[QuiGonJay]

I've got four pics for the Experts of Squishy Things out there. The first looks grayish, but it's really more of an opaque/clear sort of jelly creature. No tentacles or anything - not even 100% sure it's alive - maybe tunicate?
The second I think is some type of coral polyp.
The third and fourth are anenomes I think - aptasia or mojarra? The fourth is hard to see as the tentacles are completely clear and lying flat - it is dead center in the photo.

Appreciate any advice!

 

[cloak]

I've got four pics for the Experts of Squishy Things out there. The first looks grayish, but it's really more of an opaque/clear sort of jelly creature. No tentacles or anything - not even 100% sure it's alive - maybe tunicate?
The second I think is some type of coral polyp.
The third and fourth are anenomes I think - aptasia or mojarra? The fourth is hard to see as the tentacles are completely clear and lying flat - it is dead center in the photo.

Appreciate any advice!

1. Tunicate I believe
2. Hidden Cup coral
3. Aiptasia
4. it's kind of hard to tell, but this might be a Hidden Cup coral as well