What are these?

[christopher7]

I just noticed these two bulbous blue/purple things with bright orange dots in my zoas. The zoas don't seem bothered by them, but I've never seen them before. Anyone have any ideas what they might be?

 

[oldbones]

Dunno, but they're cool!

Sure more interesting than the white sponge that grows up between and chokes out my zoas!

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree with oldbone, have no clue but they are pretty cool. I'd leave them alone and see what they grow into. I seriously doubt they are anything bad and more than likely some kind of coral.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Red bubble algae. You'll want to pluck them off.

 

[killinit123]

Red bubble algae. You'll want to pluck them off.

isnt red bubble algae usually translucent or even transparent? also IME they usually have a glossy finish to them please correct me if im wrong but this does not seem like bubble algae to me

 

[killinit123]

I just noticed these two bulbous blue/purple things with bright orange dots in my zoas. The zoas don't seem bothered by them, but I've never seen them before. Anyone have any ideas what they might be?

how do they feel to the touch?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Red bubble algae. You'll want to pluck them off.

I don't know what it is in the picture but I do know it's not red bubble algae.

 

[cloak]

Red bubble algae. You'll want to pluck them off.

+1

http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=2087

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Cloak, yes this picture from your second link is red bubble algae

That picture the op posted to me is in no way remotely close to he same. It's purple with red/orange dots similar to a meteor shower or such. IMO

 

[cloak]

Did you check out both of those links I posted above? Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but when Botryocladia skottsbergii comes up in both links as either Red Bubble Algae or Red Valonia, I don't know what else to tell you. Until you can provide something that says otherwise, I'm inclined to go with that.

 

[Jason S]

Agreed... Looks like bubble algae to me too

Edit: Google red bubble algae and scroll down... You will see several that look exactly like this.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Did you check out both of those links I posted above? Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but when Botryocladia skottsbergii comes up in both links as either Red Bubble Algae or Red Valonia, I don't know what else to tell you. Until you can provide something that says otherwise, I'm inclined to go with that.

I've since read :reading: both and will have to agree with you. I was originally only going on visual appearance and mostly the color. Thanks for the links and quick education :thumbsup: