This invert is neat, what is it?

[clsanchez77]

This invert shows itself every now and then. It is a hitchhiker from my Florida Aquacultured Rock. It resembles a coralmorph but is highly mobile. No idea what it is. When it first appeared, it was half that size and somewhat transparent. Now it is the current size and is coloring up to a uniform brown color.

Thanks, Chris

 

[clsanchez77]

That picture is about a clear as I can get so far. On the upper right of the invert, the bumb is a pod crawing around teh underside of the 'skirt'. Also, no sooner than as soon as I posted, the fellow spit out about 3 'pellets'.

Also, if you look around the picture, you can spot several small patches of sponge growth and some tunicates, these are mostly new. On the upper somewhat right of the picture, the red clump is a tunicate. In the upper somehwhat left of the picture is a patch of blue sponge. This sponge has quadrupled in size in the last 3 months.

Chris

 

[Sk8r]

Great live rock. I'd suggest feeding phyto if you're not already...with that sponge growth, you probably are.

 

[clsanchez77]

I am feeding DT's nightly:
1 ml Oyster Eggs
5 ml Premium Reef Blend Phyto (Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum & Chlorella)
5 ml Reef Blen Phyto (Nannochloropsis & Chlorella)

Eventually, I will work it up to two feedings daily.
I have small white clams and what I believe to be barnicles appearing all over. Detritivores have really exploded as well.

Now about the invert in the picture?

Chris

 

[LeslieH]

There are a couple of possibilities Chris. If it's completely soft then it's likely to be a polyclad flatworm. If the central area is hard then it might be a fleshy limpet. Can you tell if there are any antennae, tentacles or other appendages?

 

[Sk8r]

Chris, I'm waiting to see id on this one too. I really hope it's not a flatworm. It's too cool. My wildest guess is ctenophore, but it's colored up, and that says zooxanthellae.

 

[clsanchez77]

I have not touched it so I can't tell if it i hard or not other than by what it appears. I have seen the entire animal wrap around the rock so I would guess it is soft. I have looked over and over and have seen no antenae or such. I have been looking for such to rule out a flatworm. I have not thought about a limpet.

 

[just dave]

It appears to be a limpet.

 

[LeslieH]

I think Dave's right. Take a look at the picture of a fleshy limpet about halfway down on this page: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/snailidfaq2.htm
Yours really looks just like it.

 

[kass03]

I say limpet. I had a bright yellow one once as a hitchhiker that was really cool. The flesh goes all the way around the shell just like the picture.

kass

 

[clsanchez77]

Thanks evreyone. It appears to be an Orage Frilly Keyhole Limpet. Now the next big question, does he stay or go?

Chris

 

[auntdeb]

I say he goes. They have been known to eat corals.

 

[Sk8r]

Sigh. What a pretty critter. Are we sure about this particular species and corals? Maybe he could do all right in an anemone tank.

 

[kass03]

I dunno I had some corals in that tank with my bright yellow one but not alot. It never bothered them they were softies.
I have the normal drab limpets in my reef with many corals including a few sps and clam and they dont bother those either. They always ate algae.

kass

 

[clsanchez77]

I here mixed review. Luckily the tank is not stocked with corals yet, it's only been set up for 3 months . The plan is zoa's, gorg's and LPS.

Chris

 

[Bret61081]

Ive never had a problems with mine...and I have several in my tanks...

 

[55semireef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8022619#post8022619 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
Great live rock. I'd suggest feeding phyto if you're not already...with that sponge growth, you probably are.

I have many sponges that came out of no where and never suppliment.

 

[clsanchez77]

55semireef , the tanks will produce small amounts plankton as they mature and it will be sufficient for some sponge growth.