Pix & ID: Critters that come in your rocks: the good and the bad. - Page 204

ozmedic80 · 09/17/2015, 06:21 PM

long time lurker, first time poster lol

we have a well established nano tank, but recently have decided to take the plunge and setup a whole new tank from scratch, especially as our blue tang has grown faster than we thought she would and we cant just give her up yet

after running it for 2 weeks to get the water right (to save money on salt water we used tank water to fill, ran phosphate remover through it for week and then added salt) yesterday came the time to add live rock.

apart from a 2 brittle stars and an asterina starfish, we found this little beauty in the container the lr was transported in. A quick google search and we found it is a feather star...

Popped them all in the nano tank until the new one is cycled and established. Apparently does not do well in captivity, but heres hoping I can keep it going - I have managed well with goni corals, actually getting them to grow which I am told is difficult (Can't tell you the secret to it, as I have no idea how I did it lol)

I personally think setting up a new system is the exciting time. So many new creatures come out (we have learnt to be picky with our LR, we spent an hour picking out our pieces to make sure we got some decent hitchhikers, such as button coral, got a fan coral, starfish, etc as well as the right shape, etc).

I tend not to worry about good and bad hitchhikers too much. I was told to pull bristle worms out, but I leave them be. Even a couple of small crabs that came in are left alone. I am sure I have a pistol shrimp in the nano tank (haven't seen it, assuming from the clicking) but even it is left be - only because I cant find it and it doesn't seem to be hurting anything.

Karliah · 09/17/2015, 07:23 PM

What is this?
I had two little spots show up but it looked like they were dying back so I ignored it. I didn't realize there was some growing in the back side of the rock as well, and it's spreading FAST. It slightly moves in the current in places.
Also, should I leave it alone or try to remove it?
First picture was yesterday morning. Second and third pictures were taken just now. Third picture is to show detail, right now is the first time I've seen all those little spots.

cloak · 09/18/2015, 10:15 AM

It might be a sponge, but fungus or a bacterial mat is another possibility. Stuff like this is actually pretty common in new tanks, but it usually runs it's course given time. How old is the tank?

http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/ (Info Links > Hitch Hikers > Algae)

mgibbs21 · 09/18/2015, 10:22 AM

I bought this from them LFS recently and I can't remember for the life of me what its called. Any ideas?

cloak · 09/18/2015, 10:34 AM

Does it have a hard skeleton? FWIW, a Galaxea coral came to mind first.

Karliah · 09/18/2015, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

It might be a sponge, but fungus or a bacterial mat is another possibility. Stuff like this is actually pretty common in new tanks, but it usually runs it's course given time. How old is the tank?

http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/ (Info Links > Hitch Hikers > Algae)

This tank is about a week old. I'm just concerned that it's going to choke out the macros and sponges. Never had this happen before.
About how long would you say it typically takes to die back on it's own?

cloak · 09/18/2015, 02:09 PM

Weeks, if not months and this all under the impression that your parameters are somewhat stable. It's usually die off that causes this if I'm not mistaken. It might just be a sponge though.

TrenchToast · 09/18/2015, 03:11 PM

got another one heh. although it disappeared after cutting off pumps to feed. maybe 1/8 inch across

Looking outside in on face of glass:

Looking from the side:

cloak · 09/18/2015, 04:44 PM

Hydroid jellyfish. Quite common in new tanks, but they usually disappear as quickly as they showed up.

http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

Karliah · 09/18/2015, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

Weeks, if not months and this all under the impression that your parameters are somewhat stable. It's usually die off that causes this if I'm not mistaken. It might just be a sponge though.

All params in check and stable. Hoping it'll go away wither way.

Barny · 09/20/2015, 10:45 AM

Last night I was I was looking for critters in the dark when I saw a thread like thing about 4" long wrapped around a rock going into a clam embedded in the rock. Then I noticed a second one. They were coming out of a very small maybe 1/16" hole in the rock. I tried to kill it with boiling water but I doubt that it worked. I did manage to suck off one of its tentacles.
This thing seems pretty evil.
Any idea what it is and how to kill it?
I'd like to get a syringe with a long needle and inject very salty water into the hole but I don't know where to get one.
Apparently you get them on Amazon.
Thank you

cloak · 09/20/2015, 11:29 AM

Digitate Hydroid perhaps?

Barny · 09/20/2015, 12:01 PM

Thank you.
After looking at pictures I don't think that's it.
I can't say for sure but i think I could see food moving in the tentacle back to the hole.
The tentacle appeared smooth and had no banding.
I ran across Chaetopterids, it's tentacles look about right but from what I've read they don't extend them like this, don't feed like this and are considered beneficial.

cloak · 09/20/2015, 01:30 PM

Hmm.. Does anything in this link look familiar?

http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

Barny · 09/20/2015, 04:31 PM

After your suggestion last time that was the first place I looked.
If haven't killed it already I'll try to take a pic tonight.
I ordered syringes just in case.

Barny · 09/20/2015, 11:14 PM

It's not dead and it has quite a few tentacles.

Barny · 09/21/2015, 12:15 AM

I decided this thing is too destructive to wait so i removed the rock took some pictures then packed it with salt.

I'll let it dry out for a few days before i put it back.
If you have a mysterious dead spot 6" or more in diameter this may be your problem.

Montireef · 09/23/2015, 04:29 PM

I have noticed hundreds of these weird eggs under some rocks and plugs.

Any idea?

blt4ever · 09/29/2015, 08:04 AM

found this in my chaeto, any ideas?

cloak · 09/29/2015, 10:13 AM

Caulerpa racemosa.

vokuro · 10/01/2015, 07:12 PM

Might be a sponge but can't tell for sure. Any thoughts?

cloak · 10/02/2015, 10:24 AM

It looks like a sponge to me as well.

vokuro · 10/02/2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

It looks like a sponge to me as well.

Much obliged.

lolSam · 10/03/2015, 07:30 PM

What is growing out of my live rock? It is definitely growing.

Tank has only been running for 3 days.

lolSam · 10/03/2015, 07:56 PM

What is this? Growing out of my live rock. It's definitely growing quickly. Tank is only on day 3.

09/17/2015, 06:21 PM	#5076
ozmedic80 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 29	long time lurker, first time poster lol we have a well established nano tank, but recently have decided to take the plunge and setup a whole new tank from scratch, especially as our blue tang has grown faster than we thought she would and we cant just give her up yet after running it for 2 weeks to get the water right (to save money on salt water we used tank water to fill, ran phosphate remover through it for week and then added salt) yesterday came the time to add live rock. apart from a 2 brittle stars and an asterina starfish, we found this little beauty in the container the lr was transported in. A quick google search and we found it is a feather star... Popped them all in the nano tank until the new one is cycled and established. Apparently does not do well in captivity, but heres hoping I can keep it going - I have managed well with goni corals, actually getting them to grow which I am told is difficult (Can't tell you the secret to it, as I have no idea how I did it lol) I personally think setting up a new system is the exciting time. So many new creatures come out (we have learnt to be picky with our LR, we spent an hour picking out our pieces to make sure we got some decent hitchhikers, such as button coral, got a fan coral, starfish, etc as well as the right shape, etc). I tend not to worry about good and bad hitchhikers too much. I was told to pull bristle worms out, but I leave them be. Even a couple of small crabs that came in are left alone. I am sure I have a pistol shrimp in the nano tank (haven't seen it, assuming from the clicking) but even it is left be - only because I cant find it and it doesn't seem to be hurting anything. Last edited by ozmedic80; 09/17/2015 at 06:32 PM. Reason: forgot to add pictures

09/17/2015, 07:23 PM	#5077
Karliah Drug Maker Extraordinaire Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Posts: 179	Pix & ID: Critters that come in your rocks: the good and the bad. What is this? I had two little spots show up but it looked like they were dying back so I ignored it. I didn't realize there was some growing in the back side of the rock as well, and it's spreading FAST. It slightly moves in the current in places. Also, should I leave it alone or try to remove it? First picture was yesterday morning. Second and third pictures were taken just now. Third picture is to show detail, right now is the first time I've seen all those little spots.

09/18/2015, 03:11 PM	#5083
TrenchToast Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Henrico County, Virginia Posts: 97	got another one heh. although it disappeared after cutting off pumps to feed. maybe 1/8 inch across Looking outside in on face of glass: Looking from the side: __________________ Display tank: Innovative Marine Nuvo Nano 24 QT: 20gal

09/20/2015, 11:14 PM	#5091
Barny Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Dade Posts: 30	The Evil One It's not dead and it has quite a few tentacles. Last edited by Barny; 09/20/2015 at 11:21 PM.

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09/18/2015, 10:15 AM	#5078
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	It might be a sponge, but fungus or a bacterial mat is another possibility. Stuff like this is actually pretty common in new tanks, but it usually runs it's course given time. How old is the tank? http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/ (Info Links > Hitch Hikers > Algae)

09/18/2015, 10:22 AM	#5079
mgibbs21 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 12	I bought this from them LFS recently and I can't remember for the life of me what its called. Any ideas?

09/18/2015, 10:34 AM	#5080
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Does it have a hard skeleton? FWIW, a Galaxea coral came to mind first.

09/18/2015, 02:09 PM	#5082
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Weeks, if not months and this all under the impression that your parameters are somewhat stable. It's usually die off that causes this if I'm not mistaken. It might just be a sponge though.

09/18/2015, 04:44 PM	#5084
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Hydroid jellyfish. Quite common in new tanks, but they usually disappear as quickly as they showed up. http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

09/20/2015, 10:45 AM	#5086
Barny Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Dade Posts: 30	Last night I was I was looking for critters in the dark when I saw a thread like thing about 4" long wrapped around a rock going into a clam embedded in the rock. Then I noticed a second one. They were coming out of a very small maybe 1/16" hole in the rock. I tried to kill it with boiling water but I doubt that it worked. I did manage to suck off one of its tentacles. This thing seems pretty evil. Any idea what it is and how to kill it? I'd like to get a syringe with a long needle and inject very salty water into the hole but I don't know where to get one. Apparently you get them on Amazon. Thank you

09/20/2015, 11:29 AM	#5087
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Digitate Hydroid perhaps?

09/20/2015, 12:01 PM	#5088
Barny Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Dade Posts: 30	Thank you. After looking at pictures I don't think that's it. I can't say for sure but i think I could see food moving in the tentacle back to the hole. The tentacle appeared smooth and had no banding. I ran across Chaetopterids, it's tentacles look about right but from what I've read they don't extend them like this, don't feed like this and are considered beneficial.

09/20/2015, 01:30 PM	#5089
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Hmm.. Does anything in this link look familiar? http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

09/20/2015, 04:31 PM	#5090
Barny Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Dade Posts: 30	After your suggestion last time that was the first place I looked. If haven't killed it already I'll try to take a pic tonight. I ordered syringes just in case.

09/21/2015, 12:15 AM	#5092
Barny Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Dade Posts: 30	I decided this thing is too destructive to wait so i removed the rock took some pictures then packed it with salt. I'll let it dry out for a few days before i put it back. If you have a mysterious dead spot 6" or more in diameter this may be your problem.

09/29/2015, 08:04 AM	#5094
blt4ever Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: texas Posts: 51	found this in my chaeto, any ideas?

09/29/2015, 10:13 AM	#5095
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Caulerpa racemosa.

10/01/2015, 07:12 PM	#5096
vokuro Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 55	Might be a sponge but can't tell for sure. Any thoughts?

10/02/2015, 10:24 AM	#5097
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	It looks like a sponge to me as well.

10/03/2015, 07:30 PM	#5099
lolSam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	What is growing out of my live rock? It is definitely growing. Tank has only been running for 3 days.

10/03/2015, 07:56 PM	#5100
lolSam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 15	What is this? Growing out of my live rock. It's definitely growing quickly. Tank is only on day 3.