|
|
FAQs about Non-Vertebrate Animal Identification 45
Related Articles: Marine Invertebrates,
Marine Invertebrate Systems, Marine
Invertebrate Compatibility, Marine
Invertebrate Disease, Marine
Invertebrate Reproduction,
Quarantine of Corals and Invertebrates,
Feeding Reef Invertebrates,
Lighting Marine Invertebrates,
Water Flow, How Much is Enough,
Related FAQs: Non-Vert IDs 1,
Non-Vert IDs 2, Non-Vert IDs 3,
Non-Vert IDs 4, Non-Vert IDs 5,
Non-Vert IDs 6,
Non-Vert IDs 7, Non-Vert
IDs 8,
Non-Vert IDs 9,
Non-Vert IDs 10, Non-Vert IDs 11,
Non-Vert IDs 12, Non-Vert IDs 13,
Non-Vert IDs 14, Non-Vert IDs 15,
Non-Vert IDs 16, Non-Vert IDs 17,
Non-Vert IDs 18, Non-Vert. ID 19,
Non-Vert. ID 20, Non-Vert. ID 21,
Non-Vert. ID 22, Non-Vert. ID 23,
Non-Vert. ID 25, Non-Vert ID 26,
Non-Vert ID 27, Non-Vert ID 28,
Non-Vert ID 29, Non-Vert ID 30,
Non-Vert ID 31, Non-Vert ID 32,
Non-Vert 33, Non-Vert ID 34
Non-Vert ID 35, Non-Vert ID 36,
Non-Vert ID 37, Non-Vert ID 38,
Non-Vert ID 39, Non-Vert ID 40,
Non-Vert ID 41, Non-Vert ID 42,
Non-Vert ID 43, Non-Vert ID 44,
Non-Vert ID 46, & Marine Invertebrates,
Marine Invert.s 2, Marine Invert.s 3,
& FAQs about: Marine Invertebrate
Behavior, Marine Invertebrate
Compatibility, Marine Invertebrate
Selection, Marine Invertebrate
Systems, Feeding Reef Invertebrates,
Marine Invertebrate Disease,
Marine Invertebrate Reproduction, &
& LR Life
Identification, LR Hitchhiker ID 1,
Anemone Identification,
Aiptasia Identification, Aiptasia ID
2, Worm Identification,
Tubeworm ID, Polychaete
Identification, Snail Identification,
Marine Crab Identification, Marine
Invert.s 1, Marine Invert.s 2,
Marine Plankton, |
|
Parasite on Clam or Not? 2/25/09
<Hi Vickie, Lynn here
this morning.>
I've posted this on several forums and no one
can answer this. Barry at ClamsDirect said to forward it to you.
<Ok>
I purchased a clam from a local fish store. It's a 3"
deresa. When I got it, it looked like sand was stuck to its shell.
First mistake, it was late and didn't qt it.
<Can you move it
into a QT now? By the way, how did it look at the store? Did you see
any signs of stress?>
When I started thinking about it I was
afraid that it might be pyramid snails. We took him out and tooth
brushed off his shell (while he was still in saltwater bowl). They
wouldn't come off. We thought we'd stick him (while in bowl) under
our high powered microscope to see if we could see pyramid snails.
We saw shark tooth shaped something and what looked to be clear flat
worms, (too fast to get photo of) but came up with some interesting
to say the least, photos. The shell was covered in egg sacs
(hundreds), with thousands of eggs. We have no idea what the eggs
are from;
<They look like snail eggs to me, but I couldn’t tell
you what species. I can tell you however, that Pyramidellid eggs are
encased in clear gelatinous masses instead of individual capsules,
so that’s good news.>
...they covered the shell on both sides.
<As individual capsules, right?>
They also wouldn't come off
with a toothbrush. A freshwater dip didn't remove them either. They
had to be scraped off his shell one by one. The fw dip removed and
killed the clear flatworm things.
<Ok>
One critter, we
were able to get a photo of through the eyepiece of a 30 power
microscope and the eggs. We don't know if these are bad eggs or good
critter eggs or if they will damage my tank.
<Sure wish I could
help you here but I just don’t know which species left those eggs.
Do you remember seeing any snails at the store?>
They may not
even be eggs to the critter in the photo.
<I’m thinking that
it’s unlikely, but we need to figure out what the critter is in the
photo before we can be sure.>
We never saw any obvious pyramid
snails under the microscope.
<Good. I’d check the clam
thoroughly tonight though (after the lights have been out for
awhile), since that’s when the snails would be most active.>
The white (what we thought originally might be snails, looked like
barnacles under the microscope.
<I'm guessing you mean the
white things within the egg capsules? Regarding the critter, I need
a bit more information/clarification. Was it one of the “clear
flatworm things” that fell off during the FW dip or something else?
Also, what size is it - less than a millimeter, several mm’s? It
looks like it’s segmented all the way down the back/dorsal surface,
which should help with the ID process. Another question I have
relates to locomotion. Did you see how it moved around? Did it slide
along the shell surface, or did it move in a more erratic/jerky
fashion? I don’t see any apparent legs in the photo – but maybe you
did? It may be lacking those and uses instead, a muscular foot or
some other means. If you still have the little critter, and can get
a photo from underneath, that would be super. Whatever it is, it’s
tickling something in the back of my mind. I just need some time to
see if I can’t figure out where I saw it!>
Can you id these?
They were not visible to the naked eye.
<Gotcha, so they’re
very small indeed. Just get back to me when you can about the
questions I asked above and we’ll see if we can’t solve this
puzzle.>
Thanks,
Vickie
<You’re very welcome. –Lynn> |   |
Micro-spider 'pods? 2/22/09
I just set up a 90
gal reef system with about 120 pounds of live rock.
I'm seeing the
usual suspects as far as 'pods go, but I saw a new one today:
about
the same size as other tiny pods, but have 8-10 legs in a starfish type
pattern. They are about 1mm across, including legs, less than .5 mm
without legs. Baby stars?
<Maybe>
A type of 'pod I can learn
about?
<Certainly>
Thanks,
Dan
<Photo/s please.
Bob Fenner>
Re: micro-spider 'pods? 2/22/09
Thanks. My
camera won't focus in closely enough. Looked through everything I
could find on your site (plus others), so I'll probably just have to
live
with the mystery. Appreciate the time.
<Welcome
Dan... do keep your eyes peeled for someone with a "close up"
feature on their small digital camera... A common feature now a
week!
BobF>
Re: micro-spider 'pods? 2/22/09
Best I
could do (attached). Thanks for the idea...I'll keep my eyes peeled.
<Ooohhh, this looks a lot like Staurocladia. Please scan here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/jellyidfaqs.htm
Bob Fenner> |  |
Re: micro-spider 'pods? 2/22/09
BINGO! Thanks, and
have a good one.
<Ahh! You as well Dan. BobF> |
What's wrong and what is this 2/17/08
Names Randy and I have a 12 gal nano up 3 yrs now have had no
problems in (major) essence. Lately my ph dropped slightly from 8.3
to 8.0 (using pro buffer to get back in shape)
<Mmm, be
careful here Rand... change through completely dissolved water
during change-outs>
tank has polyps, mushrooms, tube worms,
feather dusters, small anemones (babies) no mother colony though.
<... What species?>
also we have some red xenia, my wife loved
the pulsing so much at the LFS that we bought it very healthy
pulsing at about 5 inches long, long story short we get it home it
opened up within hours and was happy, 2 days go by and i noticed
what looks to be burned tips on 2 of the arms, we noticed it is near
a colony of red mushrooms, read up and heard they are aggressive
towards other animals, and that they can wage chemical warfare on
other corals.
<Yes>
that being said is this true and if
you look at the att pic does this look like what may happen?
<Possibly>
also after cleaning the junkyard of a tank after 3
yrs we moved some rocks and noticed some spore looking rock creature
that is soft to the touch and has a green center, no activity since
we've seen it, looks to me like a radioactive green but i don't know
sorry the pic is blurry a bit but if you can tell me or direct me as
we cannot find any incipient stage photos
<Neat descriptor...
Can't really make out what this is from your pic... At first glance
would have said a green algae... but could be an Ascidian, even a
Zoanthid... Bob Fenner>
Thank you
Randy
param.s are
as follows
ph 8.0 +-
temp 78
nitrates 0
nitrites
0 ammonia 1
<This last is hopefully an error... Ammonia must be
zip>
sal 1.025 |  |
Please HELP, Invert IDs... 2/16/08
Hello, and in advance, thank you. You are a wonderful crew.
<Thanks>
I have posted what I thought to be baby Nassarius snails
to a forum, only to have someone tell me I've got flatworms.
<A bit
of all here>
Some posters say, no, she's got Nassarius snails and
some say flatworms.
Please assist me in the identification process.
I've attached all the images I can.
Thank you,
Renna
<See WWM re Flatworms, Snail eggs... "pods"... Bob Fenner> |
 
/nassarius+babies+next+to+a+teensy+copepod[1].jpg) |
Re: Please HELP 2/16/08
I'm so sorry, but I don't
understand your response where it says "a bit of all here". What do you
mean?
Thank you
<Sorry for the lack of clarity. I see
Amphipods, Snail young and eggs, and Flatworms in your images. BobF>
Re: Please HELP... Flatworms 2/17/08
Thank you and once
more, another question. First off, I'm sorry for so many.
My tank
is a host to many inverts..Nassarius snails, a fire shrimp (who is my
favorite pet), copepods and Vermetid snails, tubeworms...everything
invert that's good for a tank, and I am really worried now that my tank
has been diagnosed with flatworms.
First of all, do you happen to
know what kind I have?
<Mmm, nope... and please don't panic... Most
"types" are neither deleterious, nor problematical>
Are these a
fast-spreading flatworm?
<No way to tell>
Should I put my
yellow Coris in the 29 gallon tank which the flatworms are in?
<You
could>
He is now in a 55 along with his best friend, an orange
Coris. In fact, they seem to be a mated pair, although separate colors,
so I figure busting them up won't be too mean...or will it?
<Mmm,
likely not>
Also, I have Acropora, and my two treasured Rose Bubble
Tipped Anemone in the aquarium which has the baby flatworms in it. If I
use something over the counter, what is the chance of harming the
anemone?
<Yes...>
Please accept my grateful thanks for your
wonderful answer, in advance.
<Please just search, read on WWM re:
http://wetwebmedia.com/fltwmcont.htm
and the linked files above>
You are awesome people over there at WWM. And, I can't thank you enough
for the time you spend helping the little people, like me, who have
never had to
deal with FWs before. :)
TYVM
<Read,
relax... BobF> |
Can You Help? Not
Without A Pic/Critter ID 2/16/09
Hi Crew,
<Hello Tim>
Last night whilst watching television I noticed something stuck to the
side of my marine tank. Upon turning the light on and a closer
inspection I found a clear, almost see-through slug looking creature
working its way up the glass.
It was about 2 inches long and didn't
seem to have any eyes or mouth or anything in particular except a faint
brown stripe down the middle of its body that I assume is its insides
etc.
I have looked all over your site and the web but could not find
anything that would give me a clue as to what it may be... anything
would be greatly appreciated
<Pretty tough without a pic. My first
guess would be a slug. James (Salty Dog)>
<<Mine's a flatworm...
RMF>>
Tim,
Sydney, Australia
Algae? Mr. Hanky? 2/16/09
Hello again. Thank you for
being so helpful in identifying creatures in my tank. I have two
additional questions that I am hoping you can help with.
1.
Algae? We have these white strand things growing on live rock. Is it
algae or something else that I should worry about? Pic Name -
Algae.jpg
(picture was taken with zoom. The length of strands in
about 1/8 of an inch.)
<Might be an algae... could be a
Hydropolyp... do you see any "fine strands" at the branches
perimeters?>
2. There is something in the tank that leaves this
pile of "poo" in the same place everyday 24x7.
<This is what it
is>
The pile can get quite large. The picture shows the pile
after about 12 hours or so. I have not identified anything in
that area that could be causing the pile. We currently have in the
tank, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 butterfly shrimp, turbo snails, red & blue
legged hermits, Astrea snails, blue knuckle crab and a Halloween
crab. But none of them hang
around that area for very long. We do
not yet have any fish. Anything else in the tank have been
hitchhikers such as bristle worms and Stomatellas. Pic Name -
pile.jpg
Thanks.
Cindy
<Most likely a sea cucumber you've
not noticed yet (keep a flashlight handy near the tank for periodic
viewing forays at night)... but could be a meandering mollusk... Not
a problem in any case... just vacuum out during regular water
change-outs. Bob Fenner> |
  |
NEON FLASHES?! SW invert. ID f' 2/14/09
WetWebMedia, something extremely bizarre and un-earthly just happened in
my tank. I have searched online for answer answers but find nothing! I
wonder if you know something about this. At exactly 11.30Pm here, while
admiring my tank in the pitch darkness, just to see my cardinals darting
about (yes I have very good eyesight), I noticed a BRIGHT GREEN NEON
FLASH being released at the middle-top portion of my tank. This happened
for about 1 second. It seemed like chemiluminescense...
<Maybe
bio->
or some light display. I swear as unbelievable as it may
seem, I am not lying. I turned on my tank lights for a quick second and
saw, at that spot, was my peppermint shrimp, its either a Lysmata
Wurdemanni, or a L. Boggesi.
Now i have NEVER heard shrimps like
this emitting light....and I am almost VERY certain my eyes were not
playing tricks on me. It is a shame I don't have any evidence, but does
this all sound like mumbo jumbo to you?
<Mmm, no>
Do let me
know if you know anything like this. Or is it something paranormal?
<Am not a believer in such... we make our own gods, ghosts, terrorists>
Perhaps my shrimp may not have arrived from the sea....I'm actually
quite afraid now. Do let me know if you have any answers to this? Maybe
it was my eyes playing tricks after all.....but as I am inexperienced in
this field, and no one can seem to answer this, I thought perhaps you
have some knowledge to share on this. Thanks
<There are quite a few
organism groups that might have produced this event.
Worms,
crustaceans... though I don't think I've ever heard of the genus
Lysmata, Hippolytids creating such. Bob Fenner> Re: Neon
Flash... invert. ID – 02/14/09
Hi Bob,
Re:
flashing shrimps. Do look up sonoluminescence and the Alpheidae.
Turns out some species move water so fast from the pistol action it can
flash. Not sure about the science, but apparently a real effect. Cheers,
Neale
<Ah yes... have seen a good deal of this in the wild... Met
some folks studying energetics, motion of some small marine crustaceans
in S. Sulawesi two years back... and these could move something like a
meter in a tenth of a second or so... For animals of a few millimetres
in length, this is incredible. Cheers, BobF>
Is it a sponge? Nope, Blue Lollipop Tunicate – 2/13/09
Hi,
<Hey, I know you! Hope you’re doing well and enjoying
life!>
Can someone tell me what this is?
<Yep, it’s a
beautiful little Ascidian/Tunicate called Oxycorynia fascicularis or
Neptheis fascicularis (family Polycitoridae). It’s commonly called
(and unfortunately sold as) a Blue Lollipop Tunicate, Blue Palm
Coral, or Blue Cauliflower Sponge.>
It looks like a kind of
sponge
<It certainly does.>
...but I'm not sure. If you
could tell me what it needs too, that would be great.
<Although
these are commonly offered for sale around the ‘net and elsewhere, I
personally wish they weren’t because of their extremely low survival
rate. Tunicates are primarily planktivores and bacteriovores and
most home aquariums simply don’t have enough readily available food
to sustain them. Please see these links for more information and
photos:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AscidianPIX/Ascidians5.htm
http://www.fishdb.com/db/salt/specimen/Blue_Lollypop_Tunicate.php
http://seadwelling.com/v-web/gallery/MarineInvertebrate/bluetunacate080904
>
Thank you
<You’re very welcome. Take care, Lynn> |
|
How nice! RMF |
|
|
