Any ideas what it is?

[og1996]

Hi Everyone!

I've got something on my gulf-view live rock that I've never seen before and wondered if anyone has an idea (sorry no pics, they never come out visible with my digital camera).

The object in question is shaped like a brown, slightly-oval and about the size of a dime. Spaced evenly around the rim of the item are small white 'plates' which extend vertically from the rim. Each plate is about 1mm and they look to be roughly squarish. The item is directly attached to the rock (i.e., it is not on any visible stem). About 3 days after getting the rock, clear one inch long, 1mm diameter tentacles appeared coming out of the center of the item. There are too many tentacles to count, and they don't appear to by symmetrical. Although the tentacles are clear (almost invisible), they appear to have little pieces of 'glitter' inside. This critter is firmly fixed to the spot its on and does not move (except for the tentacles).

At first, I thought it might be a polyp of some kind. New ones have started appearing since Sunday all over the rocks (about 6 or 7 now). I haven't noticed anything bothered by them, but I have no fish yet (only a dozen snails, hermits and a pair of peppermint shrimp). Any ideas what they are? Are they harmful?

Thanks,
-Owen

 

[og1996]

Since posting this question yesterday, I've discovered several more tiny ones growing on my rock. Three of these creatures are growing in a tight grouping.

Ack! They're taking over my tank!!!

 

[Anonymous]

Owen, I just saw these on another board and your description reminded me of them-
http://home.inreach.com/burghart/

 

[linty]

Chitons generally have 8 plates in the middle, no tentacles, don't reproduce or grow quickly, and are capable of movement.

I'd love to help but without a picture you know it's tough.

Well, could you give it a guess to narrow things down? Do you think it's a coral, an anemone, a mollusc, a crustacean?

 

[og1996]

I looked on that site about chitons, and while the shape is about right, they don't appear to be chitons (I'd guess a type of anemone). They are definitly immobile, and the center of the creature is depressed (so the brown plated ring around the outside forms a 'wall' around the tentacles growing out of the inside). The new juveniles I discovered yesterday have light green tentacles(like that green that was popular in the 50s). They appear to be growing very very quickly. Maybe they were already alive in a hole in the rock, and the brown ring is formed (like tube worms). Anyway, I'll try again to get a picture tonight.

Thanks,
-Owen

 

[Sublime-1]

I have these same ones growing in my new 5 reef. On several pieces of my live rock. They are 8-10 tentacles and almost invisible to the eye. They seem to have an illuminated tips and "glittery guts".


--If you find out what these are please post.

 

[og1996]

Turns out that they are a form of hydroid (yech!). I watched one of my fish swim through the tentacles and become an immobile buoy for a bit. I've been removing to my isolation tank and destroying the hydroid by mutilating it with an awl. After a week, I put the rock back in the main tank.

-Owen

 

[scavdog]

These may be Cladocora, Colangia, or possibly Phyllangia. Commonly found on Florida rock. I have a bunch. \

Check these links:

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=90068&highlight=florida+rock

and perhaps this

http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=97816&highlight=florida+rock

HTH,

 

[og1996]

Guess my friend was completely wrong about what they are as what is pictured is exactly what I have. Thanks for finding that!

-Owen