What are these hitchhikers?

Pielepataan · 10/15/2017, 04:04 AM

First of all, big hi from Belgium and a big thanks to anybody responding to my question 😁

I have just started cycling my first 20 gallon nano tank yesterday and I'm lready very intrueged by how "alive" live rock can be! There are numerous little snails, some worms and I even saw some sort of pod.

BUT, there are 2 substances on the rock where I can't put my head around. One is yellow and the other orange, round shaped with a somewhat fluffy outline.
What are they... sponges, algae, eggs?? Are they safe to keep on the rock througout the cycle?

[IMG]

Hopefully the picture is clear enough! Thanks again!

mcgyvr · 10/15/2017, 07:14 AM

Just a FYI..
We can't see your post yet..
You must have posted an external link and are a new user..
As such this forum software has "jailed" your post until a moderator approves it..
That typically happens in 24 hours or less..

Pielepataan · 10/15/2017, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Just a FYI..
We can't see your post yet..
You must have posted an external link and are a new user..
As such this forum software has "jailed" your post until a moderator approves it..
That typically happens in 24 hours or less..

Oh ok, I'll have to be patient for my answer then 😉

bertoni · 10/15/2017, 12:36 PM

It should be approved.

The blobby things (that's the technical version) in the cavern could be sponges. Are they moving?

Small Heavens · 10/15/2017, 12:46 PM

Hello, I agree that they look like sponges, unless they move around. Beautiful little cave there btw. and I agree totally, just the marine rock work is amazing to see come alive.

Small Heavens · 10/15/2017, 12:48 PM

Sponges should be good for general biodiversity, and are not at all hard to remove. I got a tiny piece of grey-ish sponge last I was visiting my LFS, generally just to dump it randomly into the tank to ...live and clean water or whatever one might call it.

And nice to meet you.

Pielepataan · 10/15/2017, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

It should be approved.

The blobby things (that's the technical version) in the cavern could be sponges. Are they moving?

No, they have stayed put on the same spot. I also saw a whitish-grey specimen on the same piece of live rock. I will just let them be then 😊

Also I have noticed 2 extremely tiny, dark grey starfish with 6 arms. Very round in shape. Will they be of any harm?

Thanks for the response!

Pielepataan · 10/15/2017, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small Heavens

Hello, I agree that they look like sponges, unless they move around. Beautiful little cave there btw. and I agree totally, just the marine rock work is amazing to see come alive.

Nope, not moving 😉

Happy you like the "cave". I've tried to create several caves, tunnels and arches.
But still a novice at all this!

[IMG]

[/IMG]

mcgyvr · 10/15/2017, 05:44 PM

starfish are harmless too..

bertoni · 10/15/2017, 10:03 PM

Most starfish are safe. A few people are unlucky and get a type that will eat corals. I'd ignore them for now.

10/15/2017, 04:04 AM	#1
Pielepataan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 6	What are these hitchhikers? First of all, big hi from Belgium and a big thanks to anybody responding to my question 😁 I have just started cycling my first 20 gallon nano tank yesterday and I'm lready very intrueged by how "alive" live rock can be! There are numerous little snails, some worms and I even saw some sort of pod. BUT, there are 2 substances on the rock where I can't put my head around. One is yellow and the other orange, round shaped with a somewhat fluffy outline. What are they... sponges, algae, eggs?? Are they safe to keep on the rock througout the cycle? [IMG] Hopefully the picture is clear enough! Thanks again!

10/15/2017, 07:14 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Just a FYI.. We can't see your post yet.. You must have posted an external link and are a new user.. As such this forum software has "jailed" your post until a moderator approves it.. That typically happens in 24 hours or less.. __________________ Who me?

10/15/2017, 12:36 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It should be approved. The blobby things (that's the technical version) in the cavern could be sponges. Are they moving? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/15/2017, 05:44 PM	#9
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	starfish are harmless too.. __________________ Who me?

10/15/2017, 10:03 PM	#10
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Most starfish are safe. A few people are unlucky and get a type that will eat corals. I'd ignore them for now. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

10/15/2017, 12:46 PM	#5
Small Heavens In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 246	Hello, I agree that they look like sponges, unless they move around. Beautiful little cave there btw. and I agree totally, just the marine rock work is amazing to see come alive.

10/15/2017, 12:48 PM	#6
Small Heavens In Memoriam Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 246	Sponges should be good for general biodiversity, and are not at all hard to remove. I got a tiny piece of grey-ish sponge last I was visiting my LFS, generally just to dump it randomly into the tank to ...live and clean water or whatever one might call it. And nice to meet you.