Unexpected Alien Life

[druckle]

Anyone have any idea what these may be? I haven't added anything to the tank in over a year and all of a sudden these things are popping up all over the rockwork.

They are very dark gray to black with color striations (which you can't see in the pictures) so they look a bit like an armadillos back. They are very shiny/reflective and don't seem to have anything growing on them like the snail shells do. They do not move at all. They start off very small and just grow and I can't see any body opening/mouth etc. Could it be some sort of algae?
It looks like animal life to me and has a shell more or less like a beetles back when you tap it.

The arrows point to the unidentified visitors. One larger one and a smaller group of about 6.

 

[evolved]

Bubble algae? (Valonia ventricosa)

 

[druckle]

Yep...that's it....

Yep...that's it....

Thanks so much for the identification. That's definitely what I have...bubble algae. Amazing ...because the nitrates/phosphates are so low in that tank that no other algae will thrive but bubble algae seems to be doing just fine.

Now I have to find out if Emerald Crabs are going to be compatible with the rest of the tank.

Anyone have comment on keeping Emerald Crabs...which apparently love bubble algae?

Duane

 

[Jayreefer]

put him in to eat the bubble algae, but then catch him out after as all mine have ended up causing problems later as they got larger.

 

[kjonulak]

I have 2 Emerald crabs in my 45 gallon + 20 gallon sump. They eat the bubble algae, but they're not the fastest when it comes to eating it. I also inject the bubble algae with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). I use a syringe with a metal tip I got from my vet. I only use 5mls a day (1ml/10 gallons) when I use it. I either inject the bubbles directly or around them and push the plunger very slowly. In about 2 days the bubbles turn white. It seems that the Emeralds then go to the area I injected as the bubbles start turning white and eat the bubbles including the ones that I may have missed.