FAQs about Live Rock
Hitchhiker/Creature Identification
32 Related Articles: Live Rock, Reef
Systems, Refugiums,
Related FAQs: Live Rock, Answering
Some LR FAQs by James Fatherree, LR
Hitchhiker ID 1, LR Hitchhiker ID
2, LR Hitchhiker ID 3, LR Hitchhiker ID 4, LR Hitchhiker ID
5,
LR ID 6, LR ID
7, LR ID 8, LR ID 9, LR ID 10,
LR ID 11, LR ID
12, LR ID 13, LR ID 14, LR ID 15,
LR ID 16, LR
ID17, LRID 18, LRID 19, LRID 20,
LRID 21, LRID
22, LRID 23, LRID 24, LRID 25,
LRID 26, LRID
27, LRID 28,
LRID 29,
LRID 30, LRID 31,
LRID 33, LRID 34,
LRID 35, LRID 36,
LRID 37, LRID 38,
& Non-Vert IDs 1, Tubeworm ID, Polychaete Identification, Live Rock 1, LR 2,
LR 3, LR 4,
LR 5, Curing
Live Rock, Live Rock Selection,
Shipping/Moving, Placement, Lighting, Water Quality, Live Rock Studies in Fiji Collaboration
& Charts, Copper Use, Marine
Landscaping, Marine Biotope,
Sumps, Refugiums, Faux Rock ,
|
|
Cyano? 1/2/12
Hi Bob,
<Dave>
I started raising the salinity very (very) slowly. I also removed some
aggressors. I see overall fish health, color, behavior, and eating very
improved.
<Good>
I left town for the week and turned off the skimmer to avoid a cup
overflow. I also gave pre-measured feeding doses to the tank sitter. I
came back to this (see pictures) - I had seen growth beginning before I
left, but heavier now. I also see growth in the newly added Up flow
Algae Scrubber
(per SantaMonica license/guidance).
Do you agree that this is likely Cyanobacteria? Very curious/unique
manifestation that I have not seen otherwise in pictures on the 'net,
although I suspect it is a variety that does better at my current
salinity (?).
<Mmm, appears more to be some sort of encrusting sponge than an algae...
Scrape some off and look at under a 'scope>
Harmful or not: I don't have any concerns with it aesthetically
(probably confirms how odd I am). But I suppose it could be harmful to
the fish?
I planned lighting and flow at lower levels due to non-reef needs in my
FOWLR display. Lighting is subpar (about 25w LED (Marineland Double
Bright)
for this 30"H 200G tank, also considering WWM guidance that my Volitans
is light-sensitive).Flow is about 800gph flow (per my return pump),
which I presumed may be sufficient also due to my open-top system (i.e.,
increased oxygen exchange). Seems my lighting/flow are within range
albeit at the lower end - or should I upgrade?
<If you want>
Below are my levels. Seems I've created a haven for Cyano at the moment
per the lighting/flow and nitrate/phosphate levels:
Amm/Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 40
<Too high by about twice... see WWM re NO3 control>
Temp - 78
pH - 8.0-8.2
PO4 - .1ppm
Thanks for your thoughts, and happy new year. Dave
<And you, BobF>
|
|
Re: Cyano?
1/2/12
Bob, thanks. Wow, incredible that this could be a sponge. So this is a
possibility given the 1.013 salinity?
<Mmm, yes. There are even freshwater Poriferans>
I've never studied them much. Time to hit WWM sponge articles...
I forgot to mention that there seems to be bubbles forming under the green
part of it.
<Could be other photosynthetic life involved, mixed tog.>
Also, for scale on how large this is, the harlequin tusk in the picture is
about 6". Most growth happened over a week, and now I see spots in other
areas as well (green spot surrounded by darker, starting out light/faded).
It seems that the better-lit areas have been hit first (including the algae
scrubber, which is lit by 2 45w grow lights).
<Well... could be algae... but the color, texture...>
I'll see if I can get access to a 'scope...or, judging on how many times
you've advised that I use one, if I can find one online to add to my
personal effect arsenal...
<Look, search on WWM. I have a conventional light and QX-3 Mattel-Intel here
above my desk... Not expensive, and fun to use. BobF> |
strange growths 12/27/12
Hello,
<Hi Jennifer>
I have 2 strange growths on my live rock that even my
local saltwater shop was not sure about when I showed them the pictures.
I have a 90 gal. bowfront reef tank which I just recently
transferred from a 60 gal. I did not add anything new into the
tank and had the 60 gal established for over 7 yrs.
Upon the transfer and new equipment, a new lamp with VHO, leds and a
timer with dawn, day, dusk, and moon light cycle I recently had an algae
bloom so upon my cleaning up the algae I noticed these odd things on my
rock. What are they? My saltwater guys at the shop, one thought one was
a mushroom which if it is, never seen anything like it and the other
photo a pink sponge which he said to just scrape
it off. But I'm just curious as this growth occurred in a months time.
Ideas?
<The first picture does appear to me a Corallimorph. The second photo is
a Rhodophyta, possibly Kallymenia sp.>
from the back of my tank I found this odd thing.. ?
<Not sure what this is in reference to.>
Thanks for your help!
<Anytime.>
Jennifer Cooper
<Jordan>
|
|
Strange marine thing
12/23/12
Hi, Can you identify this please. It appeared one day in my marine
tank.
I'm not sure if it is eating the purple mushroom type coral or the coral is
doing something odd. The marine tank set up in its youngest elements
is 6 months, I got a larger tank, Angela Hoynes so some of the live rock
came from that tank and some is new.
<Oh Lynn! >
|
|
Strange marine thing
12/23/12
Oh Lynn!
<Oh, brother! Heheee - I saw this query yesterday and couldn't hit the
"back" button fast enough! It almost looks like a curled up Corallimorph of
some sort but...?? I'll go ahead and send a reply asap.
<<Oh yeah! At first glance, I'm... Uhh, is this a Prosobranch of some sort?
Mmm, don't see any sensory structures... Umm, a Cnidarian/coelenterate it
sort of reminds me of... something in my distal, way back past? Oh, best
send along to Lynn!>
How was the trip?
<Ahh, very nice. Good weather for the most part, good folks, friends to
share all with... Interesting diving, though too much BGA and reef damage to
suit me>
I bet you got some great photos to post, huh?
<A few; am thinking to post some by group on FB, Facebook... do you look at
them there?>
Can't wait to see some neat critter shots in the dailies!
<Oh yes... am a couple years ahead on the marine side currently... but you
can look/see what the archived/newer ones will be... Again, mostly only
organisms that are new to the site, or something to add to the current
depictions there of worth>
Take care,
-Lyn
<And you, BobF>
Re: Strange marine thing
12/23/12
Oh, I don't see it in the crew mail, so I'm guessing you already sent a
reply? If so, thanks!!
Happy Holidays,
-Lynn
<Oh no! Had/stuck in the emails w/ graphics folder... am moving to yours!
BobF>
fw: Strange marine thing
Oh Lynn!
<Oh, brother! Heheee - I saw this query yesterday and couldn't hit the
"back" button fast enough! It almost looks like a curled up Corallimorph of
some sort but...?? I'll go ahead and send a reply asap.
<<Oh yeah! At first glance, I'm... Uhh, is this a Prosobranch of some sort?
Mmm, don't see any sensory structures... Umm, a Cnidarian/coelenterate it
sort of reminds me of... something in my distal, way back past? Oh, best
send along to Lynn!>
<<Heeee - yep, I can relate. Like I said, I saw that thing and took
off. My last thought was that I hoped to heck that you or Jordan knew
what it was because I sure didn't!>>
How was the trip?
<Ahh, very nice. Good weather for the most part, good folks, friends to
share all with... Interesting diving, though too much BGA and reef damage
to suit me>
<<Jeez, that's so sad. Glad though, that you had a good time
otherwise.>>
I bet you got some great photos to post, huh?
<A few; am thinking to post some by group on FB, Facebook... do you look at
them there?>
<<Unfortunately, no. I've been so busy that I've totally neglected
Facebook and even considered shutting it down. The good news is that
things should settle down this week after Christmas so I'll check in then.>>
Can't wait to see some neat critter shots in the dailies!
<Oh yes... am a couple years ahead on the marine side currently... but you
can look/see what the archived/newer ones will be... Again, mostly only
organisms that are new to the site, or something to add to the current
depictions there of worth>
<<I look forward to seeing them.>>
Take care,
-Lynn
<And you, BobF>
<<Thanks, Bob and Happy Holidays>>
Strange Marine Thing: Possible Corallimorph – 12/23/12
Hi,
<Hello there, Lynn here today.>
Can you identify this please.
<I’ll sure try, but no promises on this one! My first impression is that it
looks like some sort of Corallimorph that’s reacting to the other nearby
Corallimorphs by curling away from contact.>
It appeared one day in my marine tank.
<Interesting>
I'm not sure if it is eating the purple mushroom type coral or the coral is
doing something odd.
<I think it’s trying to avoid contact. What doesn’t make sense to me is why
one would suddenly appear in the middle of those that are incompatible?
Perhaps it was dislodged/floated away from its original position and somehow
ended up there? If it were me, I’d gently nudge the thing to see if it comes
loose and if so, place it elsewhere. If it doesn’t, you can either leave it
as and let the dominant organism(s) “win” or do whatever it takes to remove
the larger specimen with the understanding that it could either die or grow
back if enough is left behind. For more information regarding Corallimorphs,
please see the following link (as well as associated links listed at the
top): http://www.wetwebmedia.com/corallim.htm >
The marine tank set up in its youngest elements is 6 months, I got a larger
tank, Angela Hoynes so some of the live rock came from that tank and some is
new.
<Gotcha, thanks. If you have any other questions or problems, please let
me/us know. Take care, Lynn Z>
Re: Strange marine thing
12/24/12
Oh, I don't see it in the crew mail, so I'm guessing you already sent a
reply? If so, thanks!!
Happy Holidays,
-Lynn
<Ahh! Have just done. Thank you Lynn. BobF> |
Strange Growth
12/17/12
I have had the following growth appear in my Red Sea 250 several times in
the past few months. My nitrates are under 5ppm ammonia is 0. Growth of
corals and livestock is good. Tank is approximately 11 months old. The
growth can appear in under an hour and can be from 6 inches to several feet
it is tubular when in the tank and becomes a slime when removed. I
have included a picture of the growth
http://s1109.beta.photobucket.com/user/dbburkart/media/855815C4-15ED-4E32-A2B3-32AB5617F9D1-2221-0000058888A997B9.jpg.html
Regards,
Dave Burkart
<With this fast growth, physical characteristics... must be an algae or
fungus... Very interesting.
The means to restrict? Nutrient limitation and competition (a more diverse,
vigorous group of other life). Bob Fenner>
|
|
Re: Strange Growth -
12/19/2012
Bob,
<Dave>
Thank you so much, I have had opinions on everything from some type of
sponge to I have no idea what it could be. It does not seem to be
harmful
other than the fact that it clogs the pumps when it goes through them.
Happy Holidays,
Dave Burkart
<Mmm, yes... not harmful likely... some sort of decomposer... in fab
circumstances... plenty of nutrient, lack of competitors, predators...
to grow, reproduce so rapidly. Cheers! BobF>
|
Re: Hitchhiker ID
12/11/12
Lynn... what is this? B
<I think I might just know! If I'm right, it's a species in the
genus Lygdamis (family Sabellariidae). Check out the photo at this link
for comparison:
http://www.kudalaut.eu/en/dph/3705/Photos-Sale/Sabellid-worm .
I'll go ahead and send a reply to Alex asap. Take care, Lynn
<Yes! I believe you're right. B>
Hitchhiker ID: Sabellariid, Lygdamis spp. – 12/12/12
Hi,
<Hello Alex, Lynn here this evening.>
I was wondering if y'all might be able to help me ID something.
<Fire away.>
Here is a picture:
http://i558.photobucket.com/albums/ss28/awpong/WeirdHitchhikerID.jpg
Here is a video: http://youtu.be/Xb1i9xWjoPo
<I believe what you have is a neat little Sabellariid (family
Sabellariidae) in the genus Lygdamis.>
This hitchhiker has 2 tentacles that are about 1 cm each and are covered
in hairs. The entire creature lives inside of the sand-tube shown
in the picture, and as seen in the video, it will retract when
disturbed.
<Yep, all of this is typical. The two, almost “horn-like”, appendages
are covered with feeding tentacles and the tube is constructed of mucus
and bits of sand/shell/debris. Please see the following link for
examples of the genus (series of 8 photos):
http://doris.ffessm.fr/photo_gde_taille_fiche2.asp?varpositionf=&varSQL=SELECT
* FROM fiche_liste wherefiche_numero =
1233&varposition=1&varSQLphoto=SELECT * FROM vue_photos where
photo_fiche = 1233 ORDERBY photo_ordre&fiche_numero=1233&origine=
The following link does a good job of describing anatomy, habitat, and
behavior:
https://repositorio.uac.pt/bitstream/10400.3/142/1/pp37_42_Nishi_Nunez_17A.pdf
>
I've never seen anything like this before, and I haven't been able to ID
him.
<I’ve never seen one of these show up as a hitchhiker, that's for sure!
It’s certainly a neat little creature and a nice addition to the
biodiversity of your system.>
He has been in my tank for about a year without spreading. This is just
the first time I've been able to photograph him. He was originally
attached to the rock base of one of my SPS, but he moved after I buried
him in the sand.
<Yep, they can build another tube elsewhere if the occasion calls for
it.>
The only way I can describe him is by making bunny ears with my index
and forefinger.
<Heheee!>
Thanks in advance,
<You’re very welcome.>
Alex
<Take care, Lynn Z>
|
|
|
|