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FAQs about Non-Vertebrate Animal Identification
28 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 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, & 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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Mixed Questions ~ 9//15/07
Greetings WWM Crew,
<Jay>
MAJOR Kudos on the site, I found it while researching some general
info on live rock and have been glued to it ever since. I recently
dove (pun?) into the saltwater realm with a 55g FOWLR adventure. I
have been diving for years and figured adding some underwater realm
to my everyday life could help fill in the gaps between diving
trips. I added around 20 lbs of cured Fiji Live Rock from my LFS. My
roommate hit the jackpot a few years ago when a Filipino Zebra Moray
hitchhiked on his live rock, and although I have not had anything of
that caliber pop out I have to say I am amazed at the life that has
sprung up in only a 2 week period while I continue to cycle the
tank. My first question is a sponge ID (picture attached).
<Mmm,
nothing attached>
While browsing the site I seem to think it may
be a Syconoid sponge - perhaps a Leucetta dafni?
Although the
two "mouths" seem to point to something else. I am also concerned
that although this sponge seems to have survived the curing process,
it does seem compacted against the live rock. Approximately how long
until this sponge (assuming it is a sponge) starts to decay if it is
indeed just a lifeless shell?
<Days to months...>
The rock
was cured over a 2 week period. I would be inclined to remove it if
I am able to see signs of decay. I also seem to have inherited some
feather dusters of some type (see attached II - possibly a Bispira
Variegata?) and another deep red flat duster type worm which at the
moment does not seem interested in posing for a snapshot.
<Again,
no pics to be found>
This morning after turning the 2 t8 (actinic
and full spectrum) bulbs I also noticed several small (1/4'') clear
shrimp like creatures scurrying for cover. At first I was concerned
they may be juvi Mantis Shrimp, and although after researching the
Mantis on your site (kudos again for the wealth of information!) has
informed me that these are indeed extremely interesting creatures, I
did not plan on dedicating my tank to their devices.
<Heee! Even
the best laid plans...>
I researched some other arthropods and
they may fit that bill, my question is - If I do not take action to
remove them, approximately how long should I wait until they mature
enough to where I can positively ID them as Mantis and not
beneficial arthropods?
<A few weeks likely>
I would hate to
start adding fish (O. Niger Trigger and False Percula Clown are
planned although I will be moving the Trigger into the downstairs
into a 125 gallon with the Zebra Moray when he gets
larger...comments welcome on the stock) only to be knowingly
harboring them with a voracious predator.
<The Odonus trigger
will take care of these>
I appreciate your input and thank you
for your time and dedication to this wonderful hobby,
Jay
<Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. Bob Fenner>
Attachment Follow up 9//15/07
Apologies the attachments
I spoke of in my previous e-mail are contained
within.
Jay
<Ah, are a sponge of some sort and a featherduster worm... can't be
sure of species. BobF> |  |
Tiny Chiton, Or Something Else? – 09/14/07
Hello,
<Hi there,
Mich here.>
I'm hopeful you can ID these little creatures which have
shown up in my 24g AquaPod this past week. I've posted the linked photos
on reefcentral and with my local club and people are leaning towards a
chiton or some type of pod, I just want to ensure that whatever they are
they are harmless to my fish & corals. These are tiny (see photo with
finger for reference)
<WOW!!!! The third finger photo really puts it
into perspective!!!!! That was not at all what I was expecting!! Super
tiny! I'm not sure how you managed to get the other two pic but good for
you! Quite amazing considering just how small these critters are.
Excellent job with the photography!>
little "bugs" and are seen on
the LR and on/near corals. The only thing I added recently was some
macro from FL (didn't think to QT it, now I realize the error in my
ways).
<Ahh, yes, we all do dumb things at times.>
When I went to
grab some off a piece of LR they moved faster then I expected, not
Mysid/pod running fast but faster then a snail. In the 2 larger photos
the "head" or at least the way it was running, is on the left.
<Yes
is unusual, almost looks like horns.>
http://members.aol.com/vcandiv/fish/thing1.jpg
http://members.aol.com/vcandiv/fish/thing2.jpg
http://members.aol.com/vcandiv/fish/thing3.jpg
Thank you in advance
for any ID
<I'm not really sure. If they are Chitons they are the
smallest I've ever seen. Chitons generally have eight linearly arranged
overlapping articulating plates, which make up the shell. I can't make
these out in the photo perhaps you can tell. But the antennae make me
think this is not a chiton, but I'm not sure what it is. Check the daily
FAQ's later today. I'm hoping RMF will chime in and you can see his
response here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/daily_faqs3.htm ><<No se. RMF>>
Candi
<Cheers, and kudos to you Candi on some neat pics! Mich> |  
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Hi Guys I Need Some Help Identifying This Item...Me Too! 9/10/07
Hi guys
<Hi Chris, Mich here.>
I need some help identifying this
item...
<Me too!>
He showed up on some live rock and looks like
he is boring his way through the rock, he seems to be eating a 1/3" hole
in the rock.
<This seems unlikely to me. I suspect it is just living
in the hole. But could be wrong. Why do you say it appears to be eating
a hole in the rock?>
Its brown and about 1" tall with a 1/3"
circumference. I have had a tough time trying to describe it to search
for it, also turned up no results on Google and other aquarium related
boards.
<Well how about 20 questions? Does it react to touch or
light? How does it feel? Hard, soft, smooth, rubbery? Does it move? If
so how does it move? Fast? Slow? Does it appear to have a shell? Can you
get a picture from a different angle? Are you using the macro feature
(symbol usually looks like a flower) on your camera? Can you provide any
more description, distinguishing features? My best guess, and is only a
guess, is some type of sea cucumber. Mich>
Chris Edwards | 
Likely a Sipunculid... RMF
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What Is This!?! Nerite Snail Egg Capsules 9/10/07
Ok.. I
have a 90g tank.. and just moved across town.. and set up all my
rock/sand/water in new 90g tank with built in overflow...well...
needless to say the move made my tank angry.
<I'm sorry your
tank is upset.>
and I am now getting over the wave of algae that
happened.. but I am finding a large amount of rust colored flat
worms
<So long as they are not too big, they are generally
beneficial detritivores.>
(which I am taking care of)
<???>
and alot
<This is not a word. Should be “a lot”. I mention just
for Bob, as it is one of his pet peeves… Right RMF? ;) >
of
these white hard disks I don't know where they came from if they are
related to the rust flatworms, or if they are a parasite or not..
take a look and let me know please. As I said they are hard, white
and cannot be siphoned off of the rock.
<These are completely
harmless Nerite Snail egg capsules, nothing to worry about. You can
read more about them here:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2003/invert.htm
Hope
your tank gets happier! Mich> | 
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Some Odd Creatures 9/7/07
Hi Crew!
<Hi Christopher, Mich
here.>
Fairly new to Marine keeping, so wonder if you can help out.
I'm wondering what some of these creatures are! Also wondering if you
have any suggestions for changes to my tank, if stuff should be moved
around, or changed in any way.
<I will take a look and see what we
can figure out!>
First off a quick introduction. 55G Marine tank.
About 5 months old. 3 Chromis, 2 Clowns (which have lymph I'm having
trouble getting rid of)
<Yikes!>
1 yellow tang
<This tank is
too small for this fish. It should be in a tank of at least 75 gallons,
preferably more...>
and 1 Kleini (to eat Aiptasia he's temporary)
<Hope the tang is too!>
a few hermits, an emerald crab,
<Not to
be trusted in my opinion>
cleaner shrimp and a reef safe red lobster
(he's precious but shy!) Ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5-10,
<Lower
is better.>
sal 1.022,
<Higher is better, 1.023-1.025.>
phosphate 0, calcium
450, temp 77-80.
<OK.>
The picture ending
in 001, it looks like a shrimp and it seems to have had babies, and lots
of them, what is it?
<It is a Scud or Gammarus shrimp (Gammaridean
amphipod). A beneficial addition to your tank and a tasty snack for your
fish!>
Ending in 003 and 004, next to my Xenia (I think that's what
the pink stuff is called)
<Likely so. Does it pulse? If so then it
is definitely Xenia.>
is something soft that moves in the current, is
black, and has grown to be about 2 cm long. Any idea what it is? Is it a
sponge? It looks a bit furry! Haha!
<It could be a sponge or possibly
an alga of some sort.><<Looks like a dead Neomeris covered by BGA...
RMF>>
And lastly, the picture ending in 005, is a picture of my tank.
Just wondering if you have any suggestions as good help where I live is
hard to find.
<Umm, I hope you don't take offense at this, but
perhaps attending MACNA next weekend and listening to Scott Fellman's
presentation on "Aquascaping for the Aesthetically Challenged" might
help you. I think you could do more with your rockwork. There are
definitely some more interesting arrangement possibilities, you may want
to take a look at some other tanks out there. Adding a background or
painting the back of the tank would improve the overall look. I can't
tell if there is a refugium tied into your system, but this would
undoubtedly be a benefit. More here and related links in blue:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/refugium.htm >
Any chance you could e-mail
me back your reply?
<Is the standard operating procedure as well as
posting on the dailies queries page and then in the appropriate area on
the website.>
I'm not very good at finding stuff on your site yet,
still a newbie.
<Takes some time.>
Thanks for a great site and any
insight you might have!
<Welcome!>
Best regards,
<Cheers, Mich>
Christopher
Ps. If you have any tips on getting rid of lymph let me
know, haven't found much other than time so far!
<Ugh, disease ID and
treatment in fish is sooo not my strong point... how ironic that I'm
also a nurse, huh?
Have you seen these pages?
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clnfshdisart.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/lymphfaq2.htm >
Have a fantastic day crew!
<Wishing you the same! Mich> |   |   |
Please What is Growing on My Live Rock? Could be Anything! Maybe
Palythoa. 9/4/07
Hi all
<Hi John, Mich here.>
I have
searched your web page for pictures, but can’t seem to figure out what
this is.
<Me neither! Is a really fuzzy pic of something! You, my
friend, need to find your camera's macro setting (usually looks like a
flower) and use it! ;) >
The tank has been cycling for only two weeks
now. Can you please help, I just want to know if it’s good or bad.
<I
think what *might* be in the center of this pic is a Palythoa, a coral
polyp and would be a fine addition to your tank. You can read more about
my guess here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/zoanthid.htm >
Sorry for
the bad picture.
<Good grief!>
Thank you in advance. john
<Welcome! Mich> | 
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