Tube Anemone?

[lucy1971]

Is this a tube anemone on the underside of the rock?

 

[brandonberry]

the pic is too small to tell what it is but Cerianthus tube anemones usually live in the sand not on the underside of rocks.

 

[lucy1971]

Thanks for that info. The tentacles are completely clear/see through. There are six or so skeletons on the underside of the rock and at least three open up with tentacles. When I add calcium to the water they go wild getting at least twice as long in length and swaying vigorously. Because of it's position under the rock I can't see what the central part looks like. It appears that there are two sets of tentacles but since there are 3 or 4 different ones that may not be true. The opening on top of the rock that look like they are the same never open up with tentacles. I have assumed because they are under the metal halides and since it is clear I am assume there is no photosynthesis going on. It definitely filter feeds and seems to love squid the best.

 

[SnowManSnow]

it just a lil featherduster.

nothing to worry about. in a few years you'll have a lot of them.

b

 

[Anonymous]

I've seen and had many featherdusters over the years, I certainly can't make that call from that photo. However the "skeleton" remark certainly speaks of a featherdusters, as much as the "clear tentacles" one doesn't.

Anyway, cool little critters. They'll multiply like crazy if you feed phyto and don't have hermits.

 

[lucy1971]

It doesn't look like what I thought a featherduster was. I have 3 of those just found a new one yest. They all have long tube with a crown of almost dark reddish colored feather like things. These are clearly tentacles and much (total size of a half dollar) larger. The skeleton is part of the rock not on the rock( it is no a long tube but stubby part of the rock) - I have no idea if this thing makes the skeleton part or is just living in it because this rock has about 10 similar areas and only 4 have anything in them. 3 are small and then this big one. It does love calcium though and waves wildly when calcium is added to the tank. It is my favorite thing in the tank. People all think it is an anemone but I don't believe it is a true anemone but I would love to be able to tell them what it is.

 

[brandonberry]

You've got me interested in this thing now. Any chance you could take another larger picture that is zoomed in on the critter?

 

[lucy1971]

I will try tomorrow to get a closer up picture. It is at the back of the tank and is not easy to photograph. It has been suggested that it is aiptasia which is of course very concerning but it hasn't spread (yet).

 

[brandonberry]

It does look like aiptasia from the picture, but aiptasia don't have tubes. I wouldn't be too concerned. We've all had aiptasia at one time or another.

 

[Mthompson]

I am gonna say a cup coral of some kind.

Here is one of several I have on my rocks:

and a professional pi:

Hope that helps, and your rock is probably from the Caribbean then as well.[/list]

 

[brandonberry]

That's hidden cup coral. I take it this came in on a piece of Carribean rock. I've got a piece just like it. It will thrive if you regularly feed it small plankton like foods. I feed mine Cyclopeeze and other small or finely chopped frozen food.

 

[Deveausome]

It is a coral polyp.

 

[mr_X]

are you sure that's not a Pseudocorynactis ?

 

[brandonberry]

Pseudocorynactis is a corallimorph and has no hard skeleton. This is hidden cup coral, Phyllangia americana, or at least a very similar species.

http://www.floridamarine.org/gallery/im ... sp?id=5225