Some ID's - for peace of mind

[Laura Moon]

Don't think this is aptasia - any ideas?

Tube or cup coral, maybe?

How bout this one?

Brittle star - I got at least 4 of these, probably more

Lesser starlit coral and orange ball sponge. Will either of these survive?

Bivalve - I have about 5-6 of these, all about 3". Anything I need to do to care for/feed these?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

 

[ReefRob]

I have had my first TBS shipment for a week now and I've got some of those too. They look different than the aiptasia that I have seen in the LFS (ours have shorter, stockier stalks and they appear more "delicate"). I've been feeding mine fish bits actually ... if it turns out to be aiptasia I'm going to feel like a real stooge ...

Also, one of mine relocated itself to another are of the tank last night after I fed it. Not sure what that means.

 

[Laura Moon]

Well, according to Richard, there are no aptasia in the Caribbean. In the slim chance that it is, I'm sure my peppermint shrimp will take care of it. Just wondering what kind it actually was.

 

[ReefRob]

Have you seen this hitchhiker site:

http://reefs.org/hhfaq/

There is a picture on the following page that looks suspiciously like our little friends:

http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/main_pages/faq_rock1.htm

Even there it says it is "probably" an aiptasia. I guess they are tough to ID.

 

[hdtran]

First picture is most likely a curlicue (or spelling variants) anemone.

Next photo is a tube coral, probably a Cladacora.

Next is the same, but with an encrusting sponge or tunicate.

The lesser starlet coral (Siderastrea radians) will most likely survive or thrive. The sponge may or may not.

The clams will be happy as clams. Throw some DT's into the tank once in a while.

 

[liverock]

First picture is most likely a curlicue (or spelling variants) anemone.

Next photo is a tube coral, probably a Cladacora.

Next is the same, but with an encrusting sponge or tunicate.

The lesser starlet coral (Siderastrea radians) will most likely survive or thrive. The sponge may or may not.

The clams will be happy as clams. Throw some DT's into the tank once in a while.

Correct, on all counts!


Richard TBS
www.tbsaltwater.com:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[Laura Moon]

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much!

I hate not knowing what something is or how to care for it. Sounds like these should be easy.

Anyway, thought I'd show ya'll how my water chem. has been since adding the TBS:


I think everything is going famously Only problem is, I have 2 gorilla crabs :mad2:

 

[Laura Moon]

GRRRRR!!!!

GRRRRR!!!!

The file isn't working and I don't know hardly any html code, so here's the simple version:

ammonia from 0 to .15 to .02
NO2 from 0 to .5 to 1
NO3 from 5 to 5 to 30
ph 8.0
alk 5.5 meq/l
cal 600
SG 1.026

Seems like it's going well to me. One question though - should I do a water change due to the high NO3? Don't know how sensitive any of this stuff is to it.

Thanks!

 

[Laura Moon]

Here's a pic

Here's a pic

Here's my aquascaping!

Whaddya think?

 

[Laura Moon]

More pics

More pics

One of my emerald crabs:

Cup coral:

My fighting conch cleaning up diatoms:

Is this a bristle worm:

Any idea what these two are:
The whole thing, including tentacles, is about the size of a dime.

These are only about 1/4" long and a lavender color:

Thanks for all your help!!!

 

[Slatts]

Very nice Laura. Time to update your "current tanks" it's nice to have TBS on your resume.

 

[hdtran]

Water chemistry looks good. I wouldn't worry too much about 30ppm nitrate. Just let it ride until your next regularly scheduled water change.

Bristleworm looking guy looks too fat to be a bristleworm. Unless he's moving quickly, I'd vote against bristleworm. Bristleworms move pretty quickly. If I had to guess, I'd say brittle star arm.

Can't help with the anemone, sorry.

 

[boyooso]

Hi Laura,

It is difficult to tell from your photo, but it looks like you have a sideastrea star coral towards the top of the tank, right in the middle? If I am wrong just ignore me, you might want to ignore me anyway...haha

For me, and my lighting and everything, these worked better towards the bottom. I don't know if that is the general rule, but it has worked better in my case.

Just MY experience.

 

[Laura Moon]

Thanks for your replies!

Thanks for your replies!

Hi Laura,

It is difficult to tell from your photo, but it looks like you have a sideastrea star coral towards the top of the tank, right in the middle? If I am wrong just ignore me, you might want to ignore me anyway...haha

For me, and my lighting and everything, these worked better towards the bottom. I don't know if that is the general rule, but it has worked better in my case.

Just MY experience.

I was wondering about the placement of that one myself. I currently only have a NO light (hubby still needs to build my T5 retro hood), so it will stay put for now. I'll move it when the new lights go on, tho. Thanks!

 

[akula]

my "orange ball" sponge looks fine so far, all other sponges except the "chicken liver" sponge have died. my ball sponge is more yellow than orange.

 

[draper4312]

You may read about the curly cue anemone here http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=23&pCatId=1703

I removed mine from my tank using Joes Juice, it took a couple of hits but finally died. That anemone will not work in my tank, especially if it multiplies as fast as aiptasia--the bad kind.