what are these little maroon colored dots?

Steverino · 08/13/2007, 07:25 AM

I am starting to see some small dark maroon (deep red) colored dots on my rock. They look rectangle in shape. They are about as long as a millimeter- or the width of a pencil line. I was able to blow them off the rock with a turkey baster. Not sure if they are an algae or what...they appear to be flat, and maybe 1 mm wide and 2mm long. Any ideas?

PJSEA · 08/13/2007, 07:42 AM

Probably Diatoms.
Here's a link for more info:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/alg...a/aa091100.htm

They will probably go away in time, but can come back. You want to keep Silicates and Phosphates low.

amike5 · 08/13/2007, 08:13 AM

Do they move at all? Could be corraline or flatworms. Need some more specifics.

Sk8r · 08/13/2007, 08:16 AM

If fork-tailed, flatworms.

joeychitwood · 08/13/2007, 08:19 AM

Sounds like flatworms to me. A photo would be very helpful. Do a search on RC for flatwom remedies.

kev apsley · 08/13/2007, 09:52 AM

flatworms....yes!

Mavrk · 08/13/2007, 10:49 AM

Do they look like the things in this thread? If so, these are flatworms and need to be treated.

Steverino · 08/13/2007, 11:19 AM

I don't recall seing any forks on them. I plan to catch a couple tonight and look under a microscope tomorrow morning.

Tahlequah · 08/13/2007, 05:54 PM

do they look like these?

If so they are foraminiferans. Here is a link to some more info... Link

Steverino · 08/13/2007, 09:15 PM

no, they are flat and tiny, only as wide as a line you ouwld make with a ball-point pen, about 1mm x 2mm. I don't see any forks on them. I am wodnering if they ar a type of plant, not a worm, they stay still.

Steverino · 08/14/2007, 07:25 AM

I am thinking they are some kind of algae or plantlife.

Steverino · 08/14/2007, 10:11 PM

son of a gun, now I think they are flatworms......! I saw one moving under a magnifying glass.....

08/13/2007, 07:25 AM	#1
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	what are these little maroon colored dots? I am starting to see some small dark maroon (deep red) colored dots on my rock. They look rectangle in shape. They are about as long as a millimeter- or the width of a pencil line. I was able to blow them off the rock with a turkey baster. Not sure if they are an algae or what...they appear to be flat, and maybe 1 mm wide and 2mm long. Any ideas?

08/13/2007, 08:16 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If fork-tailed, flatworms. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/13/2007, 05:54 PM	#9
Tahlequah Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tahlequah, Ok Posts: 311	do they look like these? If so they are foraminiferans. Here is a link to some more info... Link __________________ "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction." Current Tank Info: JBJ 30RL

08/13/2007, 07:42 AM	#2
PJSEA Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pawleys Island, SC Posts: 295	Probably Diatoms. Here's a link for more info: http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/alg...a/aa091100.htm They will probably go away in time, but can come back. You want to keep Silicates and Phosphates low.

08/13/2007, 08:13 AM	#3
amike5 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 724	Do they move at all? Could be corraline or flatworms. Need some more specifics.

08/13/2007, 08:19 AM	#5
joeychitwood Schrödinger's Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 3,488	Sounds like flatworms to me. A photo would be very helpful. Do a search on RC for flatwom remedies.

08/13/2007, 09:52 AM	#6
kev apsley Moved On Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: LI, NY Posts: 4,424	flatworms....yes!

08/13/2007, 10:49 AM	#7
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Do they look like the things in this thread? If so, these are flatworms and need to be treated.

08/13/2007, 11:19 AM	#8
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	I don't recall seing any forks on them. I plan to catch a couple tonight and look under a microscope tomorrow morning.

08/13/2007, 09:15 PM	#10
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	no, they are flat and tiny, only as wide as a line you ouwld make with a ball-point pen, about 1mm x 2mm. I don't see any forks on them. I am wodnering if they ar a type of plant, not a worm, they stay still.

08/14/2007, 07:25 AM	#11
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	I am thinking they are some kind of algae or plantlife.

08/14/2007, 10:11 PM	#12
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	son of a gun, now I think they are flatworms......! I saw one moving under a magnifying glass.....