what are these things??

[saxerphoner]

Bought a mushroom on a pretty big piece of LR and have recently found all types of life on it There were only two things, however, that I didn't know what they were right off the bat. Can anybody help me out?

You can't really see the one that I have circled on the left but they are a dark blue or purple and are very circular in shape (looks like a ball sitting on the rock). It looks firm and appears to gather or bunch up on the top for what could be a mouth or something. They are pretty small with the largest one being about a quarter inch across (there are about 4 or 5 of them). They are on the same rock as the mushroom so I was thinking they could be new mushrooms or something looking for a place to plant. They havn't moved or changed since they've been in the tank. Any help would be great! Thanks!!

The one on the right, or I should say two just look like two little fuzz balls and there are about 4 of them on the same rock. Sponge or something???

**click on the image to enlarge**




Thanks!!!

 

[maxima k2]

Some type of sponge. I dont know the name of it.

 

[bigfutro]

Hello:wave:
Any possibility of getting a closer picture? What have you ruled out? From what I could see the white guys look like some species of tunicate, or ball sponge; but a closer picture would help. If they are hairy I would lean towards ball sponge. I will look at all the literature I have and try to find more specifics.
From my own experience mushrooms look like small versions of themselves pretty quickly. Do they have the same color as the base/underside of the mushrooms you got?

On a related note have you seen those new macroscopes? You can see small things inside your tank kind of like a microscope for your tank; Very cool but very,very expensive. It would sure be nice in situations like this; hook up the camera and take a close-up. Just wondered what other reefers thought about the concept. Can't wait till the price drops, maybe for christmas in 2010 !?!

Sorry, I wasn't much help but at least it is something to get the thread started.

I don't normally use all these smile things but I Just HADto use this one. :blown:

 

[bigfutro]

Didn't mean to "ignore" you maxima k2. You posted when I was writing. Sorry.

 

[Sk8r]

Ball sponge, I'm pretty sure. I have some yellow and some white ones. Feed them phytoplankton, and they'll thrive. They're good water-filters.

 

[saxerphoner]

Sorry, not a very good camera... I had to back off to get it to not be so blurry

 

[SDguy]

The light ones look like sponges...have had ones that look just like them. Can't tell what the dark thing is...

 

[maxima k2]

No problem! I have had them in tanks before, nothing to worry about.