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

[davehead86]

It's probably just a spaghetti worm. (harmless) As far as that brown stuff your seeing goes, diatoms would be my guess.

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

http://www.reefcleaners.org/nuisance-algae-id-guide

Thanks for the info.

Im slightly confused on the algae thing. Should I be concerned that I have hair algae and diatoms appearing in the tank, or are these fine to have in the tank and i should just get the appropriate CUC to keep them in check?

 

[divenshort]

Cannot get a pic of it as it was to small but it was a Red and Blue and moved around like a slug or a worm on my rocks. First time I have noticed it. Front half was red/pink back half was blue.

 

[cloak]

Thanks for the info.

Im slightly confused on the algae thing. Should I be concerned that I have hair algae and diatoms appearing in the tank, or are these fine to have in the tank and i should just get the appropriate CUC to keep them in check?

Maintaining good water quality is the most important. I think it discusses this in that link I provided above. Use RO/DI water, incorporate GFO if need be etc. Having a few janitors around such as various snails and crabs comes in a close second, although these creatures will not keep your tank spotless. You will have to do some work yourself. For a new tank though, algae blooms are pretty normal for the first year or so as the tank stabilizes.

 

[Happyschneider]

Hi all,

I would highly appreciate your input on the following questions. I have my tank running for several weeks now (started pretty much at beginning of June).

I was always aware of some feather duster worms which came in with the LR I put in. Today for the first time I discovered something that might be Aptasia. Now I don't have any experience so it very well could be anything. Unfortunately, they are so strangly situated (below an overhang) that I cannot get a decent picture through the bowfront... Maybe some of you can identify anyway. Fully understand if it is not possible though. If I had to describe it I would say it is growing out of a tube between the stones, whitish color with maybe reddish tips. I think I can count 10 tentacles that it just spreads out. I could be wrong but I think they retract a little when the light comes on (nothing like the feather dusters which completely disappear more like a slight retraction but the tentacles are still visible).

The second is the little bug which is wizzing around on the stone and the sand. Looks like a fun little fellow but just wanted to know what is living with me in my office

Thank you so much for your input!


Michael

 

[taricha]

The bug is an amphipod. Great cleaner.

 

[Happyschneider]

The bug is an amphipod. Great cleaner.

Hurray :bounce3:, I was hoping for that. Thank you.

 

[Karliah]

Does pink coralline algae "target" growing silicone first? Like before rock and glass and such. I can post a picture when I get home, as could be something else. I'm at work and the question has been bugging me all day.

 

[Karliah]

Growing *on silicone

 

[Karliah]

Here's a picture. It was half this size yesterday, and wasn't there at all the day before

 

[platypusklr]

Just cause its pink doesnt mean it coraline. Could be the begining stages of some red slime algae. I cant tell from the pic if its just the texture of the silicone or if its hairy.

 

[Karliah]

Exactly, that's why I'm asking if someone can ID it, because it doesn't look coralline.
It's not hairy at all. No texture at all. Doesn't even look raised. Looks like the silicone is just stained that color, but it's not. It "grows" (spreads?) fast and I can wipe it off and it grows right back.

 

[SaltwaterTeabag]

Heliacus

Heliacus

I did some research and I believe this is what came on my new zoanthids.
Found 3 and removed, but looks as if they did lay eggs....What is best way to remove the eggs?

 

[krafty2010]

Attached Photos, Need help with ID

 

[Miohippus]

what are these anemone types

what are these anemone types

aiptasia?

 

[tclavell]

small clam?

small clam?

found this guys this morning. upper middle of photo. It's a clam of some sort, i believe. he's about the size of a dime

Any ideas?

 

[tclavell]

This too. Not the greatest photo. It's white and kind of looks like a Venus fly tap

 

[Redman88]

What is the red growth?

 

[Bakerman]

Very odd, SUPER fast growth

Very odd, SUPER fast growth

Found this on tank yesterday morning, and since then it has literally covered almost the entire front glass. I've never seen anything grow this fast. More than doubled in size overnight. Very concerned, but I'm not ready to scrape it off the glass yet since it's semi-contained there, and I'd hate to just simply distribute it throughout my entire system. Doesn't seem to be bothering anyone, and nobody seems to be picking at it. Snails appear to just crawl right over it. I'm thinking marine slime mold. If so, doesn't sound horrible, but I have no idea how to address it.

Help!!

 

[aprildawn]

I have a new tank set up (about 1 week) and was wondering if anyone can tell what this is?

 

[Happyschneider]

friend or foe? Anyone knows if I should keep it? It came (as you might have guessed) in on my LR.

Thanks for your help,


Michael