algae or coral?

[Mihai]

I noticed this "thing" that looks like a half-algae, half coral. It must have hitchhiked with some of the algae that I collected from the coast of NC two weeks ago. It seems to have a stem like the plants, but it has some kind of polyps like the corals or the filter feeding inverts.

Any idea what is that? The only thing that crosses my mind is "some kind of gorgonian".

Thanks,
Mihai

 

[wade1]

Hrm. Hydroid is a possibility. Nearly dead gorgonian that somehow managed to lose its exterior tissue but retain its polyps is another possibility (although those rarely live for long).

Let us know if there's any more description or changes in it.

 

[SnowManSnow]

weird man

 

[Mihai]

Hrm. Hydroid is a possibility.

That sounds somewhat scary. I have an entire "bush" of those...

Nearly dead gorgonian that somehow managed to lose its exterior tissue but retain its polyps is another possibility (although those rarely live for long).

Let us know if there's any more description or changes in it.

It's still alive after more than two weeks... I never saw it retracting the polyps either at night or during the day (even when I feed the refugium).

M.