Strange creature in new Tonga Rock

saintperez · 08/16/2008, 09:19 PM

Ok, got another 40Lbs. today. Put it in my quarantine tank and upon observation found a very strange set of tentacles poking out of some holes. TRied taking some pictures but I guess my camera just can't get that small detail. The tentacles are smaller than my pinky nail but they are white with red bands through out. I'm guessing it's some kind of spider star??? SHould I be worried? Also found some little bug crawling around on it like if it was a nat on a piece of $#!&.

IslandCrow · 08/16/2008, 10:12 PM

Probably just miniature brittle stars. I probably have a couple thousand in my tank. They're actually a very good sign. If you check the rock out at night with a red flashlight, you'll probably see a few of them crawling around. If they are brittle stars, it will be very apparent then. They look pretty much just like the big ones. . .except 1/6th the size. . .OK, maybe smaller than that, but I couldn't pass up the Austin Powers reference.

mm949 · 08/17/2008, 12:33 PM

they are tube snails deep in the rock...all is good

SquidHC · 08/17/2008, 02:37 PM

These are what we call "hitchhikers". Random things that sneak into your tank. Most of the time they are good, and help to create biodiversity in your system.

paulallen · 08/17/2008, 04:45 PM

My guess would be a spaghetti worm.

08/16/2008, 09:19 PM	#1
saintperez Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boca Raton, FL. Posts: 1,062	Strange creature in new Tonga Rock Ok, got another 40Lbs. today. Put it in my quarantine tank and upon observation found a very strange set of tentacles poking out of some holes. TRied taking some pictures but I guess my camera just can't get that small detail. The tentacles are smaller than my pinky nail but they are white with red bands through out. I'm guessing it's some kind of spider star??? SHould I be worried? Also found some little bug crawling around on it like if it was a nat on a piece of $#!&.

08/16/2008, 10:12 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Probably just miniature brittle stars. I probably have a couple thousand in my tank. They're actually a very good sign. If you check the rock out at night with a red flashlight, you'll probably see a few of them crawling around. If they are brittle stars, it will be very apparent then. They look pretty much just like the big ones. . .except 1/6th the size. . .OK, maybe smaller than that, but I couldn't pass up the Austin Powers reference. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

08/17/2008, 12:33 PM	#3
mm949 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: chicago Posts: 1,843	they are tube snails deep in the rock...all is good __________________ 219"x30"x48" - 1350gl reef Current Tank Info: ...18ft of double sided goodness

08/17/2008, 02:37 PM	#4
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	These are what we call "hitchhikers". Random things that sneak into your tank. Most of the time they are good, and help to create biodiversity in your system. __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!

08/17/2008, 04:45 PM	#5
paulallen Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 344	My guess would be a spaghetti worm.