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FAQs about Non-Vertebrate Animal Identification
25 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 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, & 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,
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Soft Coral ID
Help… More Likely Algae – 06/16/07
Good Afternoon,
<Good day! Mich here.>
I am having some difficulty in trying to figure out what this coral is
(assuming it is a coral at all). I have searched and searched all
morning to no avail, so I thought I would see if you happened to know
what it was. I have included a picture, but due to the limitations of my
camera (and my own photography skills), I will also try to describe it
as best I can.
<Sometimes as helpful as pics.>
I know one fact that may help in identification. It came from waters off
the Florida Keys, it hitched a ride one some zoanthids I bought direct
from a diver. It was not at all apparent when I placed the zoanthids in
the tank. It sprouted from the small rubble the zoanthids are attached
to, and in a matter of two weeks has gone from barely visible to the
size of a cotton ball. It is very "poofy" looking and is white to
grayish in color. The polyps (still assuming it is a coral) are very
tiny and do not look like clove or star polyps do, they appear to be
very tiny single stalks with the appearance of
extremely tiny Italian Parsley (best description I can think of). It
does not react when touched. There is no stony or calcified structure I
can detect. Hopefully I was thorough enough in the description. The
picture is attached.
<I suspect this is some type of algae, though I can't really tell from
the pic. The quick rate of growth makes me doubt it is a soft coral, as
does your description of the polyps. Soft corals are generally
octocorals, this does not sound like an octocoral. My best guess...
algae. Thought the featherlike structures shown in the photo are
hydroids! Be careful not to touch them. They can pack a powerful sting!
More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hydrozoans.htm and related links
in blue.>
Thank you for your time,
<Welcome! Mich>
Scot M. |
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Hitchhiking
Brittle Stars - 6/15/07
<Hi Matt>
I have searched for hours and hours attempting to identify these
critters I have living in my rock. I just want to know what they are and
what they look like. I would guess that there are at least six of these
guys hanging out in tiny holes, some no bigger than a 1/4 inch in
diameter, in my rock. The only thing visible is two, half inch tentacles
reaching out. I actually saw one pop out for an instant after a feeding
of brine shrimp. It looked segmented like an insect but it was so quick
I cannot be certain. Can you help me identify these critters?
<I sure can! They’re small brittle/serpent stars, most likely a species
that stays small (usually around an inch or less across), and a neat
addition to your tank. They hitchhike in and like to hang out in
crevices in, and around, the rockwork. What you’re seeing are several of
their little “arms” reaching out in hopes of catching a bit of food
floating past. Please see WWM for more information, starting here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestarreprofaqs.htm >
I attached a photo and I can also send a higher resolution copy if
needed.
<Thanks, but I think we're good to go!>
Thanks
Matt Huppert
<You're very welcome! -Lynn>
Re: Hitchhiking Brittle Stars (Maybe not?!)- 6/15/07
<Hi Again!>
It is definitely not a brittle star. What is your second guess?
<Hmmm, sorry about that! If there's any way you can get a good close up
shot of one of these, that would be terrific. Thanks. -Lynn><<RMF would
swear this is an Ophiuroid also>>
H |
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Input on FAQ "Hitchhiking Brittle Stars -
6/15/07" – 06/16/07
Hey Crew,
<Hi Andy! Mich here.>
Was perusing today's questions and noticed the above Q/A regarding tentacles
sticking out of rock at night. I have tons of these, tan and red/brown striped
with what appears to be bristles--some are quite (relatively) large in diameter.
I assumed that they were bristle worms,
<Unlikely.>
especially since I keep seeing more and more, but thought it odd that 3 and 4
"worms" would be sticking out of the same hole and pretty much remaining
stationary. Not that I'm afraid of worms,
<Heee! Just don't eat them! Won't make people like you more!>
but glad to hear that they are stars.
<Yes. Beneficial members of the clean up crew!>
Learn something new every day . . . .
<More here for your edification!
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brittlestaridfaqs.htm
Mich>
Andy |
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Invert. ID,
SW 6/13/07
Hey guys,
I've been trying to figure out what this little guy is.
http://www.craigberry.net/tmp/aquarium/IMG_0440.JPG
http://www.craigberry.net/tmp/aquarium/IMG_0442.JPG
http://www.craigberry.net/tmp/aquarium/IMG_0443.JPG
http://www.craigberry.net/tmp/aquarium/IMG_0444.JPG
As far as I can tell it never leaves that spot day or night. It's in a
hole in my live rock about the size of a pencil and it blocks himself
into it with some sort of shield looking thing. It only opens up about
1/4 to 1/3 of the way and if there is a bump or fast motion it covers
back up. More curious then concerned about it.
Thanks!
Craig
<Is a Bivalve... likely an Arca species: http://www.google.com/custom?q=arca+clam&cof=AH%3Acenter%3BGL%3A0%3BAWFID%3Ac12f9ba1e9294d73%3B&domains=wetwebmedia.com&sitesearch=wetwebmedia.com
Bob Fenner> |
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Can You Tell
Me What This Is? A Filter Feeder. - 6/7/07
Hello,
<Greetings, Mich here.>
Can you help identify these dime sized growths? I have a 55gal.
saltwater tank with live rock. The temp in the tank was around 90 deg.
<Too warm as I presume you know.>
They pretty much grew overnight.
<Looks like a harmless filter feeder to me. It might be a sponge or
perhaps a tunicate. It looks quite pretty. Enjoy your new addition!>
Thanks
<Welcome! Mich> |
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Marine
Multicellular Organism ID? Anemone 6/6/07
Hello All,
<Hi Lisa, Mich with you today.>
I am hoping that you can help with ID-ing an organism which hitchhiked
into my tank on a piece of live rock.
<Will try!>
The rock was bought from the South-East UK, and was the 'Eco-Friendly'
man-made type
<Eco-friendly man-made type is a bit of an oxymoron; nature does a
better job and is a renewable resource. The processing of cement isn't
exactly environmentally friendly, to quote Wikipedia.com: cement
manufacture contributes about 5% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions.>
- I'm unfortunately unsure of its original provenance.
<Ok.>
The rock was placed in my tank about two months ago and this organism
has been expanding ever since. At first it was a small irregular patch
of dark purple and white 'barnacle-looking cells'. Now it has split into
several patches, the largest of which has taken on a more regular
rounded 'colony' shape (centre of photo), surrounded on the outside
margin by what seem to be more filamentous structures. The colony reacts
as one organism when touched - contracting slightly and rapidly as a
whole. The surface of the organism feels a little papery, and as you can
see from the colony on the right hand side of the picture, sometimes
appears to rupture open in places. My partner claims to have seen the
red spot in the bottom centre of the photo protruding out of the surface
of the organism, but I really cannot tell if this is directly connected
to the purple/white organism in question.
<Appears to be an anemone of some sort, perhaps an Epicystis sp. More
here and related links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/twaanemones.htm
>
Apologies in advance if this is something obvious or often-discussed. My
main concern is whether or not it is dangerous to my other tank-dwellers
(a variety of soft corals, a couple of snails, and two true perculas).
<Is a stinging celled creature, like so many soft corals we keep.>
Many thanks for any advice you can offer.
<Hope this helps!>
Lisa (Midlands, UK)
<Mich (Middle of Nowhere, USA)> |
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Re: Marine Multicellular Organism ID? –
06/07/07
Hi Mich,
<Hello again Lisa!>
Having done some more research on this (while I should have been working
today!),
<I won't tell, if you don't tell!>
my feeling is that this organism may actually be an ascidian, possibly
Botryllus or Botrylloides spp.
(http://www.edge-of-reef.com/tunicati/htmen/TUNlistacomposteen.htm really
helped), although I bow to your superior knowledge.
<Mmm, hard to tell with just one photo, but I don't think this is the case
and I stick to the original ID as an anemone. Here's why:
a. The movement you describe "contracting slightly and rapidly as a whole"
is more typical of an anemone than a tunicate.
b. I believe the red spot is actually the mouth of the anemone and the
protruding behavior you stated would be consistent with an anemone.
c. Tunicates are difficult to keep in captivity. The relatively rapid growth
is more inline with an anemone than a tunicate.
d. It sounds like this organism has split and divided which would also be
more likely with anemones than tunicates.>
Either way, it's interesting!
<I will definitely agree with you there! Please enjoy it!>
Many thanks for your input and I shall continue to do my research into this
hitchhiker.
<Please do.>
Keep up all the good work!
<Thanks, will try! Mich>
Lisa.
Tiny White Tubes All Over Rocks and Pumps – 5/25/07
Hi,
<Hi Adrian>
I tried to find answer to my problem in my reef tank but don't believe I found
it, so decided to send you this email and hope you can provide guidance/tips.
<I hope so! What’s up?>
I've a 55 gal reef and fish tank. In the past couple of months, I noticed a lot
of tiny, 2-3mm long tubes growing on rocks, pumps, and corals. The tubes are
hard and brittle, and I don't see anything coming out from the tubes <Can be
very difficult to see in something this small.> and don't think they are tube
worms. I feel helpless but want to do something to stop the growth before they
take over the tank and destroy corals in the tank. Any help is greatly
appreciated.
<Hmmm, well let’s see if we can figure this out. This is where a photo would be
terrific, but I know how difficult that can be! Have you seen any signs of
irritation among your corals? Also, how long has your tank been up and running?
At any rate, unless you're seeing problems with your corals, I wouldn’t worry
too much about these guys. What you describe sounds like one of many possible,
but very common and harmless, filter feeders. They hitchhike in on rock, etc,
and can become quite numerous for a time. Just when you think the tank is going
to be overrun, the population subsides all on its own. Incidentally, you can
scrape them off the pumps (and tank sides if they appear there) with an algae
scraper. Actually, I find that a credit card works well for this and does a lot
more good there than in my wallet! I hope this helps. Be sure and let us know if
you have any additional concerns or if there are any new developments.>
Thanks,
Adrian
<You’re very welcome! Have a great, and safe, holiday weekend! –Lynn>
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Mysterious LR Guests: Sponges 5/23/07
Hello Bob,
<Hello Aimee, Mich filling in for Big B.>
I have attached 2 pictures of some things that are growing on my live
rock that I have not been able to identify. I have some green hair
algae, but these are still stumping me. I have a false percula clown,
yellow damsel, 2 Banggai Cardinals, 5 blue leg hermit crabs, zebra mat
anemone, leather coral, golden polyps, pulsing xenia, and a few star
polyps in the tank that have been doing well. Any help would be
greatly appreciated.
1st picture - looks like Jell-O polyp type things
<Looks like a sponge to me.>
2nd picture - center has white pineapple looking (possibly sea squirt?)
<Also looks like a sponge, a Syconoid sponge I believe. Actually, is
possible that both photos are Syconoid sponges. More here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/sponges.htm
Thanks,
<Welcome! Mich>
Aimee |
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Re:
Identification... A Sponge. 5/22/07
<Hi there,
Mich here!>
Wondering if you guys could tell me what this soft sponge like thing is
that is growing on a piece of my LR?
<It does look to be a sponge. There are some 5000 types, most requiring
microscopy for identification. So the ID is a little vague...
sorry. Enjoy it! Mich> |
Re: Identification... A Sponge 5/22/07
I too would have guessed it to be a sponge, thanks for the
confirmation.
<Yes, sorry I can't offer more here.>
crazy there's that many kinds out there!
<Mother Nature loves diversity!>
Keep up the good work.
<Always trying! Thank you for your positive comments. They are
appreciated. Mich> |
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Weird White Pod or sack on tank - looks like something that was
attached to Alien Or Syconoid sponges 5/18/07
<Greetings Earthlings!>
Well, we have been up and running almost 16 weeks now. I just posted
the pics at
http://www.mmrcsl.org/fish
<I see, a nice record to have.>
I'm having an identity crisis!!!
<Dissociative Identity Disorder, shades of Sybil or Dissociative Fugue,
shades of Agatha Christie?>
About 3 weeks ago I noticed the Gracilaria in my refugium was no longer
growing.
<OK.>
Is it possible that running a poly filter all the time is starving it?
<Mmm, I would be more concerned about other issues such as circulation,
is the algae tumbling, getting enough light? More here and many related
links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgpropfaqs.htm >
Anyway, attached are 3 pics. I see quite a few of these growing in the
refugium on the inlet side probably 15 or so, but I don't even know what
to begin with for search criteria as to their identity, of course white
spot and white pod are really bad search criteria.
<Heeeheeeee! Vague.. wait, no more vague! Close to 2000 hit combined
on WWM alone! Looks like harmless Syconoid sponges to me.>
Enjoy the pics at the address above, if you have the time.
<Thank you for sharing!>
As always I appreciate your help!!
<A pleasure to assist!>
Oh and for some perspective, these guys range in size from tiny booger
<Niceee description!>
to real small pea.... actually 2/3 of a small pea!
<Are you sure 2/3 of a small pea, and not 3/5 or 9/16? Perhaps the size
of a lentil? Hee! Mich> |
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Re: Weird White Pod or Sack on Tank - Looks
Like Something That Was Attached to Alien Or Syconoid Sponges Identity
Crisis - Dying Gracilaria – 5/19/07
<Hello Earthling, now called Dan, Mich with you again.>
Hmmm, I think the problem is one in the same Mich. More in depth look
in the fuge. This pod seems to turn into a two antennae white slug.
<Mmm, nope! You have two different creatures here. Sea Slugs and
Syconoid sponges>
I’ve seen two crawling in the fuge...very small & they appeared white.
<These Sea Slugs look to be of the order Sacoglossa or Sap-Sucking slugs
which feed mainly on algae. Likely they are part of the genus
Elysia. More here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seaslugsopisthobranchs.htm >
This one in the pic was in the tank... not so white.
<Perhaps greenish?>
Also is a pic of what I would call a bunch of Pupa entwined in the
Gracilaria.
<Nope, still Syconoid sponges.>
Thanks with the help.
<Welcome!>
Man I am scratch'n for an answer...
<I won’t ask where...>
with out the Gracilaria, my nitrates are beginning to rise.
<Gracilaria can be a challenge to grow. If it’s growing sponges, it’s
not tumbling enough.>
I could put Chaeto in there but would that be fuel for these things as
well?
<No, but Chaeto or Caulerpa may be a better food source for the slugs
which can be difficult to keep in captivity. Mich>
DanH
Picture Too Large! 5/18/07
<Please return with a smaller picture attached. This one is overloading
out bandwidth. Thanks, WWM Crew>
Sorry
<No worries.> |
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.jpg)
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Weird White Pod or sack on tank - looks like something that was
attached to Alien Or Syconoid sponges 5/18/07
<Greetings Earthlings!>
Well, we have been up and running almost 16 weeks now. I just posted
the pics at
http://www.mmrcsl.org/fish
<I see, a nice record to have.>
I'm having an identity crisis!!!
<Dissociative Identity Disorder, shades of Sybil or Dissociative Fugue,
shades of Agatha Christie?>
About 3 weeks ago I noticed the Gracilaria in my refugium was no longer
growing.
<OK.>
Is it possible that running a poly filter all the time is starving it?
<Mmm, I would be more concerned about other issues such as circulation,
is the algae tumbling, getting enough light? More here and many related
links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/redalgpropfaqs.htm >
Anyway, attached are 3 pics. I see quite a few of these growing in the
refugium on the inlet side probably 15 or so, but I don't even know what
to begin with for search criteria as to their identity, of course white
spot and white pod are really bad search criteria.
<Heeeheeeee! Vague.. wait, no more vague! Close to 2000 hit combined
on WWM alone! Looks like harmless Syconoid sponges to me.>
Enjoy the pics at the address above, if you have the time.
<Thank you for sharing!>
As always I appreciate your help!!
<A pleasure to assist!>
Oh and for some perspective, these guys range in size from tiny booger
<Niceee description!>
to real small pea.... actually 2/3 of a small pea!
<Are you sure 2/3 of a small pea, and not 3/5 or 9/16? Perhaps the size
of a lentil? Hee! Mich> |
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Don't know where to start looking. (Hitchhiker ID with pics)
5/16/07
Greetings and good day to you. I have a 55g reef tank, with a 29g
fuge.. diy skimmer, 65wX6 PC lighting. The tank has been up for about 6
months. This tank was upgraded to from a 29g. Recently, I have seen
these sponge appearing creatures in a couple of spots in my tank. Here
are a couple pics:
[IMG]http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/triggerjay/hitchiker/55gtank001.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/triggerjay/hitchiker/wierd003.jpg[/IMG]
<Okay... too blurry, dark to make much out...>
My main worry here is that they are something bad. All the ones I have
seen are near my corals. The one pictured is at the base of my green
star polyps. I also have one near a Kenya tree, and another near my
mushrooms. At night, they extend out about 6 inches or more, and dance
around. During the day, they do not move, and are about the size of a
pencil eraser. Last night, I got the flash light out, and the video
camera. The video is shaky at first, but will progress and you can
clearly see the worm like creature. It was suggested to me they may be
peanut worms, but from what I have seen on the web, they are not. Here
are the video clips I took last night:
[URL=http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/triggerjay/hitchiker/?action=view¤t=wierd030.flv][IMG]http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/triggerjay/hitchiker/th_wierd030.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/triggerjay/hitchiker/?action=view¤t=wierd029.flv][IMG]http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f98/triggerjay/hitchiker/th_wierd029.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. You
guys rock!
Jason Sanders
Springfield MO
<Please peruse our marine ID pix... starting here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marinvind1.htm
Bob Fenner> |
Re: I don't know where to start looking. (Hitchhiker ID with pics), A
Priapulid? 5/18/07
I searched your database, and could find nothing that even looks like
it. I posted on another site, and it was identified as being from the phylum
Priapula, which I also did a search for on your site and came up empty.
<Very rare...>
It seems there is not much known about this creature, and the person that
identified it said he has been keeping saltwater tanks since 1967, and have
never run across this creature in all his years in the hobby. He is also has
a major in zoology and geology. I am bringing this to your attention, so you
can compare our findings and your own, and possibly add it to your database.
Thanks in advance.
Jason Sanders
<Thank you for this further input. Bob Fenner>
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