FAQs about Non-Vertebrate Animal
Identification 28
Related Articles: Marine Invertebrates, Marine Invertebrate Systems, Marine Invertebrate Compatibility,
Marine Invertebrate Disease,
Marine Invertebrate
Reproduction, Quarantine of Corals and
Invertebrates, Feeding
Reef Invertebrates, Lighting
Marine Invertebrates, Water Flow, How Much
is Enough,
Related FAQs: Non-Vert IDs 1, Non-Vert IDs 2, Non-Vert IDs 3, Non-Vert IDs 4, Non-Vert IDs 5, Non-Vert IDs 6, Non-Vert IDs 7, Non-Vert IDs 8, Non-Vert IDs 9, Non-Vert IDs 10, Non-Vert IDs 11, Non-Vert IDs 12, Non-Vert IDs 13, Non-Vert IDs 14, Non-Vert IDs 15, Non-Vert IDs 16, Non-Vert IDs 17, Non-Vert IDs 18, Non-Vert. ID 19, Non-Vert. ID 20, Non-Vert. ID 21, Non-Vert. ID 22, Non-Vert. ID 23, Non-Vert. ID 25, Non-Vert ID 26, Non-Vert ID 27, Non-Vert ID 29, Non-Vert ID 30 Non-Vert ID 31, Non-Vert ID 32, Non-Vert 33, Non-Vert ID 34, Non-Vert ID 35, Non-Vert ID 36, Non-Vert ID 37, Non-Vert ID 38, Non-Vert ID 39, Non-Vert ID 40, Non-Vert ID 41, Non-Vert ID 42, Non-Vert ID 43, Non-Vert ID 44, Non-Vert ID 45, Non-Vert ID 46, Non-Vert ID 47, Non-Vert ID 48, Non-Vert ID 49, Non-Vert ID 50, Non-Vert ID 51, Non-Vert ID 52, Non-Vert ID 53, Non-Vert ID 54, Non-Vert ID 55, Non-Vert ID 56,
Non-Vert ID
57, Non-Vert ID 58,
Non-Vert ID 59,
Non-Vert ID 60, Non-Vert ID 61,
& Marine Invertebrates, Marine Invert.s 2, Marine Invert.s 3, & FAQs about:
Marine Invertebrate Behavior,
Marine Invertebrate
Compatibility, Marine
Invertebrate Selection, Marine
Invertebrate Systems, Feeding
Reef Invertebrates, Marine
Invertebrate Disease, Marine
Invertebrate Reproduction, &
& LR
Life Identification, LR
Hitchhiker ID 1, Anemone
Identification, Aiptasia
Identification, Aiptasia ID 2,
Worm Identification, Tubeworm ID, Polychaete Identification, Snail Identification, Marine Crab
Identification, Marine Invert.s 1,
Marine Invert.s 2, Marine Plankton,
|
|
Mixed Questions ~ 9//15/07 Greetings WWM Crew,
<Jay> MAJOR Kudos on the site, I found it while researching
some general info on live rock and have been glued to it ever
since. I recently dove (pun?) into the saltwater realm with a 55g
FOWLR adventure. I have been diving for years and figured adding
some underwater realm to my everyday life could help fill in the
gaps between diving trips. I added around 20 lbs of cured Fiji
Live Rock from my LFS. My roommate hit the jackpot a few years
ago when a Filipino Zebra Moray hitchhiked on his live rock, and
although I have not had anything of that caliber pop out I have
to say I am amazed at the life that has sprung up in only a 2
week period while I continue to cycle the tank. My first question
is a sponge ID (picture attached). <Mmm, nothing attached>
While browsing the site I seem to think it may be a Syconoid
sponge - perhaps a Leucetta dafni? Although the two
"mouths" seem to point to something else. I am also
concerned that although this sponge seems to have survived the
curing process, it does seem compacted against the live rock.
Approximately how long until this sponge (assuming it is a
sponge) starts to decay if it is indeed just a lifeless shell?
<Days to months...> The rock was cured over a 2 week
period. I would be inclined to remove it if I am able to see
signs of decay. I also seem to have inherited some feather
dusters of some type (see attached II - possibly a Bispira
Variegata?) and another deep red flat duster type worm which at
the moment does not seem interested in posing for a snapshot.
<Again, no pics to be found> This morning after turning the
2 t8 (actinic and full spectrum) bulbs I also noticed several
small (1/4'') clear shrimp like creatures scurrying for
cover. At first I was concerned they may be juvi Mantis Shrimp,
and although after researching the Mantis on your site (kudos
again for the wealth of information!) has informed me that these
are indeed extremely interesting creatures, I did not plan on
dedicating my tank to their devices. <Heee! Even the best laid
plans...> I researched some other arthropods and they may fit
that bill, my question is - If I do not take action to remove
them, approximately how long should I wait until they mature
enough to where I can positively ID them as Mantis and not
beneficial arthropods? <A few weeks likely> I would hate to
start adding fish (O. Niger Trigger and False Percula Clown are
planned although I will be moving the Trigger into the downstairs
into a 125 gallon with the Zebra Moray when he gets
larger...comments welcome on the stock) only to be knowingly
harboring them with a voracious predator. <The Odonus trigger
will take care of these> I appreciate your input and thank you
for your time and dedication to this wonderful hobby, Jay
<Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. Bob Fenner>
Attachment Follow up 9//15/07 Apologies the
attachments I spoke of in my previous e-mail are contained
within. Jay <Ah, are a sponge of some sort and a featherduster
worm... can't be sure of species. BobF>
|
|
Tiny Chiton, Or Something Else? -- 09/14/07
Hello, <Hi there, Mich here.> I'm hopeful you can ID
these little creatures which have shown up in my 24g AquaPod this
past week. I've posted the linked photos on reefcentral and
with my local club and people are leaning towards a chiton or some
type of pod, I just want to ensure that whatever they are they are
harmless to my fish & corals. These are tiny (see photo with
finger for reference) <WOW!!!! The third finger photo really
puts it into perspective!!!!! That was not at all what I was
expecting!! Super tiny! I'm not sure how you managed to get the
other two pic but good for you! Quite amazing considering just how
small these critters are. Excellent job with the photography!>
little "bugs" and are seen on the LR and on/near corals.
The only thing I added recently was some macro from FL (didn't
think to QT it, now I realize the error in my ways). <Ahh, yes,
we all do dumb things at times.> When I went to grab some off a
piece of LR they moved faster then I expected, not Mysid/pod
running fast but faster then a snail. In the 2 larger photos the
"head" or at least the way it was running, is on the
left. <Yes is unusual, almost looks like horns.>
http://members.aol.com/vcandiv/fish/thing1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/vcandiv/fish/thing2.jpg
http://members.aol.com/vcandiv/fish/thing3.jpg Thank you in advance
for any ID <I'm not really sure. If they are Chitons they
are the smallest I've ever seen. Chitons generally have eight
linearly arranged overlapping articulating plates, which make up
the shell. I can't make these out in the photo perhaps you can
tell. But the antennae make me think this is not a chiton, but
I'm not sure what it is. Check the daily FAQ's later today.
I'm hoping RMF will chime in and you can see his response here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/daily_faqs3.htm ><<No
se. RMF>> Candi <Cheers, and kudos to you Candi on some
neat pics! Mich> |
|
Hi Guys I Need Some Help Identifying This
Item...Me Too! 9/10/07 Hi guys <Hi Chris, Mich
here.> I need some help identifying this item... <Me too!>
He showed up on some live rock and looks like he is boring his way
through the rock, he seems to be eating a 1/3" hole in the
rock. <This seems unlikely to me. I suspect it is just living in
the hole. But could be wrong. Why do you say it appears to be
eating a hole in the rock?> Its brown and about 1" tall
with a 1/3" circumference. I have had a tough time trying to
describe it to search for it, also turned up no results on Google
and other aquarium related boards. <Well how about 20 questions?
Does it react to touch or light? How does it feel? Hard, soft,
smooth, rubbery? Does it move? If so how does it move? Fast? Slow?
Does it appear to have a shell? Can you get a picture from a
different angle? Are you using the macro feature (symbol usually
looks like a flower) on your camera? Can you provide any more
description, distinguishing features? My best guess, and is only a
guess, is some type of sea cucumber. Mich> Chris Edwards |
Likely a Sipunculid... RMF
|
What Is This!?! Nerite Snail Egg Capsules
9/10/07 Ok.. I have a 90g tank.. and just moved across town..
and set up all my rock/sand/water in new 90g tank with built in
overflow...well... needless to say the move made my tank angry.
<I'm sorry your tank is upset.> and I am now getting over
the wave of algae that happened.. but I am finding a large amount
of rust colored flat worms <So long as they are not too big,
they are generally beneficial detritivores.> (which I am taking
care of) <???> and alot <This is not a word. Should be
'a lot'. I mention just for Bob, as it is one of his pet
peeves'¦ Right RMF? ;) > of these white hard disks I
don't know where they came from if they are related to the rust
flatworms, or if they are a parasite or not.. take a look and let
me know please. As I said they are hard, white and cannot be
siphoned off of the rock. <These are completely harmless Nerite
Snail egg capsules, nothing to worry about. You can read more about
them here:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2003/invert.htm Hope
your tank gets happier! Mich> |
|
Some Odd Creatures 9/7/07 Hi Crew!
<Hi Christopher, Mich here.> Fairly new to Marine keeping, so
wonder if you can help out. I'm wondering what some of these
creatures are! Also wondering if you have any suggestions for
changes to my tank, if stuff should be moved around, or changed in
any way. <I will take a look and see what we can figure out!>
First off a quick introduction. 55G Marine tank. About 5 months
old. 3 Chromis, 2 Clowns (which have lymph I'm having trouble
getting rid of) <Yikes!> 1 yellow tang <This tank is too
small for this fish. It should be in a tank of at least 75 gallons,
preferably more...> and 1 Kleini (to eat Aiptasia he's
temporary) <Hope the tang is too!> a few hermits, an emerald
crab, <Not to be trusted in my opinion> cleaner shrimp and a
reef safe red lobster (he's precious but shy!) Ammonia 0,
nitrite 0, nitrate 5-10, <Lower is better.> sal 1.022,
<Higher is better, 1.023-1.025.> phosphate 0, calcium 450,
temp 77-80. <OK.> The picture ending in 001, it looks like a
shrimp and it seems to have had babies, and lots of them, what is
it? <It is a Scud or Gammarus shrimp (Gammaridean amphipod). A
beneficial addition to your tank and a tasty snack for your
fish!> Ending in 003 and 004, next to my Xenia (I think
that's what the pink stuff is called) <Likely so. Does it
pulse? If so then it is definitely Xenia.> is something soft
that moves in the current, is black, and has grown to be about 2 cm
long. Any idea what it is? Is it a sponge? It looks a bit furry!
Haha! <It could be a sponge or possibly an alga of some
sort.><<Looks like a dead Neomeris covered by BGA...
RMF>> And lastly, the picture ending in 005, is a picture of
my tank. Just wondering if you have any suggestions as good help
where I live is hard to find. <Umm, I hope you don't take
offense at this, but perhaps attending MACNA next weekend and
listening to Scott Fellman's presentation on "Aquascaping
for the Aesthetically Challenged" might help you. I think you
could do more with your rockwork. There are definitely some more
interesting arrangement possibilities, you may want to take a look
at some other tanks out there. Adding a background or painting the
back of the tank would improve the overall look. I can't tell
if there is a refugium tied into your system, but this would
undoubtedly be a benefit. More here and related links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm > Any chance you could
e-mail me back your reply? <Is the standard operating procedure
as well as posting on the dailies queries page and then in the
appropriate area on the website.> I'm not very good at
finding stuff on your site yet, still a newbie. <Takes some
time.> Thanks for a great site and any insight you might have!
<Welcome!> Best regards, <Cheers, Mich> Christopher Ps.
If you have any tips on getting rid of lymph let me know,
haven't found much other than time so far! <Ugh, disease ID
and treatment in fish is sooo not my strong point... how ironic
that I'm also a nurse, huh? Have you seen these pages?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clnfshdisart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaq2.htm > Have a fantastic day
crew!
<Wishing you the same! Mich> |
|
|
Please What is Growing on My Live Rock? Could be
Anything! Maybe Palythoa. 9/4/07 Hi all <Hi
John, Mich here.> I have searched your web page for pictures,
but can't seem to figure out what this is. <Me neither! Is a
really fuzzy pic of something! You, my friend, need to find your
camera's macro setting (usually looks like a flower) and use
it! ;) > The tank has been cycling for only two weeks now. Can
you please help, I just want to know if it's good or bad. <I
think what *might* be in the center of this pic is a Palythoa, a
coral polyp and would be a fine addition to your tank. You can read
more about my guess here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm
> Sorry for the bad picture. <Good grief!> Thank you in
advance. john
<Welcome! Mich> |
|
|
|