What is this?

UmpaLumpa · 11/17/2008, 07:34 PM

I've been cooking some rock and have noticed a few of these attached. This one fell off. What is it?

UmpaLumpa · 11/17/2008, 08:00 PM

I should mention that this appears to be some kind of filter feeder.

The top part opens up as shown in the picture below.

ETA: ugh I ment to enlarge that part, oh well you get the idea.

chrismunn · 11/17/2008, 08:05 PM

is it a mollusk?

scrmbld33 · 11/17/2008, 08:08 PM

tagging along, had something similar a while back, but nobody knew what he was.

heres mine

Rendos · 11/17/2008, 08:09 PM

Barnacle?

UmpaLumpa · 11/17/2008, 08:31 PM

i don't think its a barnacle after googling a few pages of pictures of barnacles

pagojoe · 11/17/2008, 10:51 PM

It's an Ark Clam (family Arcidae) but I can't tell which species for absolutely certain. The best view for a species-level ID is horizontal so you can see the length-to-width ratio and the overall outline of one of the valves (shells). My best guess is that it's a baby Turkey Wing, Arca zebra:

http://www.jaxshells.org/turkey.htm

Scrmbld33's also looks to be a clam, but I don't think it's in the same family, since it appears to have flutes on the shell. Do you have other pics of it? It might be a venerid clam in the same family as this one (with rather exaggerated flutes):

http://www.george-shells.com/upd4/ca...isjecta_39.jpg

and (disregard the non-shell pics):

http://images.google.com/images?um=1...=Search+Images

If you have side-view pics, I can probably narrow down the ID.

Cheers,

Don

pagojoe · 11/18/2008, 07:29 AM

Here are a couple more species for Umpa to consider, both Indo-Pacific rather than Florida/Caribbean:

http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...E&species=Arca navicularis#f

http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...E&species=Arca ventricosa#f

The crosshatched sculpture looks more like Arca ventricosa, but the shape is closer to Arca zebra or Arca navicularis. It could also be a different species that I haven't come across in my cursory internet search (maybe more likely). I'll let you know if I find a better match.

Cheers,

Don

UmpaLumpa · 11/18/2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pagojoe
It's an Ark Clam (family Arcidae) but I can't tell which species for absolutely certain. The best view for a species-level ID is horizontal so you can see the length-to-width ratio and the overall outline of one of the valves (shells). My best guess is that it's a baby Turkey Wing, Arca zebra:

http://www.jaxshells.org/turkey.htm

Scrmbld33's also looks to be a clam, but I don't think it's in the same family, since it appears to have flutes on the shell. Do you have other pics of it? It might be a venerid clam in the same family as this one (with rather exaggerated flutes):

http://www.george-shells.com/upd4/ca...isjecta_39.jpg

and (disregard the non-shell pics):

http://images.google.com/images?um=1...=Search+Images

If you have side-view pics, I can probably narrow down the ID.

Cheers,

Don

I can take as many pics as you need. I will take a large side view when I get off work.

pagojoe · 11/18/2008, 01:21 PM

Hey Umpa,

I can see yours well enough that I would probably recognize the animal if I found it, assuming it's not one of the species I already mentioned. Scrmbld's clam is a different matter, since I can only see it from the edge. I'll actually check some books this evening and see if I can come up with a better ID on yours.

Cheers,

Don

UmpaLumpa · 11/18/2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pagojoe
Hey Umpa,

I can see yours well enough that I would probably recognize the animal if I found it, assuming it's not one of the species I already mentioned. Scrmbld's clam is a different matter, since I can only see it from the edge. I'll actually check some books this evening and see if I can come up with a better ID on yours.

Cheers,

Don

Your the closest one so far but this "clam" is triangular. its like a boat almost. It has a "hull" and a "deck" Its all hard shell too. The "deck" opens up on on the "bow" side like with the "stern" side acting like the hinge. It opens up like a beak on a bird but the top beak would be flat like a "deck" would be on a boat, whereas the hull would be the lower part of the beak.

UmpaLumpa · 11/18/2008, 05:14 PM

Ok here are the requested side pictures. I also have one in my tank of the side of a rock that happened to be open when I was taking the side pics. Yes I know I have an algae problem, thus the reason I am cooking my rock.

BTW does anyone know what kind of worm that is off to the left of the "clam"

justinl · 11/18/2008, 06:45 PM

Arcidae clams are triangular. your worm is a sipunculid; a peanut worm. harmless detritivore.

pagojoe · 11/19/2008, 01:33 AM

Yes, it's an Ark Clam for sure. The closest one I've found is Guido Poppe's "Arca species" (meaning he's not sure of the ID, although it may be a variation of Arca avellana):

http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...umber=418333#f

More pics, Arca avellana with and without periostracum:

http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...umber=143452#f

http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...umber=148352#f

Cheers,

Don

11/17/2008, 07:34 PM	#1
UmpaLumpa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 123	What is this? I've been cooking some rock and have noticed a few of these attached. This one fell off. What is it?

11/17/2008, 08:05 PM	#3
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	is it a mollusk? __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

11/17/2008, 08:08 PM	#4
scrmbld33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: south jersey 08050 Posts: 2,394	tagging along, had something similar a while back, but nobody knew what he was. heres mine __________________ a left over shrimp shedding is not "a sicilian message meaning luca brasi sleeps with the fishes" fish are friends, not food Current Tank Info: 90gal salt, 2 250mh 14k hamiltons 2 110 actinic, 127lbs LR,50lbs tonga 70lbs indonesia 7lbs tonga branch asm g3

11/17/2008, 08:09 PM	#5
Rendos Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 5,380	Barnacle? __________________ Richard Rendos - Founder WTMRAC It can't rain all the time. Current Tank Info: 92 gallon corner bowfront

11/17/2008, 08:00 PM	#2
UmpaLumpa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 123	I should mention that this appears to be some kind of filter feeder. The top part opens up as shown in the picture below. ETA: ugh I ment to enlarge that part, oh well you get the idea.

11/17/2008, 08:31 PM	#6
UmpaLumpa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 123	i don't think its a barnacle after googling a few pages of pictures of barnacles

11/17/2008, 10:51 PM	#7
pagojoe Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 2,761	It's an Ark Clam (family Arcidae) but I can't tell which species for absolutely certain. The best view for a species-level ID is horizontal so you can see the length-to-width ratio and the overall outline of one of the valves (shells). My best guess is that it's a baby Turkey Wing, Arca zebra: http://www.jaxshells.org/turkey.htm Scrmbld33's also looks to be a clam, but I don't think it's in the same family, since it appears to have flutes on the shell. Do you have other pics of it? It might be a venerid clam in the same family as this one (with rather exaggerated flutes): http://www.george-shells.com/upd4/ca...isjecta_39.jpg and (disregard the non-shell pics): http://images.google.com/images?um=1...=Search+Images If you have side-view pics, I can probably narrow down the ID. Cheers, Don

11/18/2008, 07:29 AM	#8
pagojoe Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 2,761	Here are a couple more species for Umpa to consider, both Indo-Pacific rather than Florida/Caribbean: http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...E&species=Arca navicularis#f http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...E&species=Arca ventricosa#f The crosshatched sculpture looks more like Arca ventricosa, but the shape is closer to Arca zebra or Arca navicularis. It could also be a different species that I haven't come across in my cursory internet search (maybe more likely). I'll let you know if I find a better match. Cheers, Don

11/18/2008, 01:21 PM	#10
pagojoe Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 2,761	Hey Umpa, I can see yours well enough that I would probably recognize the animal if I found it, assuming it's not one of the species I already mentioned. Scrmbld's clam is a different matter, since I can only see it from the edge. I'll actually check some books this evening and see if I can come up with a better ID on yours. Cheers, Don

11/18/2008, 05:14 PM	#12
UmpaLumpa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 123	Ok here are the requested side pictures. I also have one in my tank of the side of a rock that happened to be open when I was taking the side pics. Yes I know I have an algae problem, thus the reason I am cooking my rock. BTW does anyone know what kind of worm that is off to the left of the "clam"

11/18/2008, 06:45 PM	#13
justinl Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,118	Arcidae clams are triangular. your worm is a sipunculid; a peanut worm. harmless detritivore.

11/19/2008, 01:33 AM	#14
pagojoe Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 2,761	Yes, it's an Ark Clam for sure. The closest one I've found is Guido Poppe's "Arca species" (meaning he's not sure of the ID, although it may be a variation of Arca avellana): http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...umber=418333#f More pics, Arca avellana with and without periostracum: http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...umber=143452#f http://www.conchology.be/en/availabl...umber=148352#f Cheers, Don