View Full Version : What am I?
kay-bee
12-16-2007, 2:42 PM
I acquired this creature from an LFS for free (who just wanted to get rid of it), dubbed "the mushroom of death" because it has killed and consumed everything it has comes in contact with (several fish 2"-3" fish, a large feather duster and was even seen expelling a plumb-sized (and digested) sea urchin. I think it produced a casualty or two in the original owner's tank (who had acquired it from another source, he received it when he ordered a bulb tipped anemone, which this thing is not and gave it to the second LFS).
It's believed to be a mushroom of some type with strong anemone qualities or some sort of species which falls between mushrooms and anemones and is in excess of 4 inches in diameter (the 'stalk' is at least 3" thick) and packs a powerful sting. It is stationary and wasn't mobile during its month stay at the 2nd LFS. Any idea on what this "mushroom of death" actually is? (I'm keeping it in a 20gal containing excess anthelia and a couple of hermit crabs):
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/y2kenny19/Saltwater/mod1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/y2kenny19/Saltwater/mod2.jpg
saltydunc
12-16-2007, 3:21 PM
that mushroom is some kind of anemone.....not sure which type but i do know some species will eat your fish.
I'm kind of scared about a LFS who would confuse a Anemone for a Mushroom. lol
Reefscape
12-16-2007, 3:29 PM
The species of mushroom called Heliofungia Actiniaria is actually confused with an anemone quite often, there are a good few which look very much the same..
kay-bee
12-16-2007, 3:42 PM
From what I understand mushrooms are a close relative to anemones (and are sometimes referred to as 'mushroom anemones', I'm not sure if that is a kind of 'common name', though); they both belong to the same sub-class but different Orders. But yeah this one definately has strong predatory traits.
The tips remind me of those on my ball anemones.
Pufferpunk
12-16-2007, 4:44 PM
Yes, mushrooms are in the anemone family.
Fishieness
12-16-2007, 4:48 PM
The species of mushroom called Heliofungia Actiniaria is actually confused with an anemone quite often, there are a good few which look very much the same..
heliofungia actiniaria is not really what any hobbyists would call a type of "mushroom". It's more commonly known as a long tentical plate coral and it considered a type of LPS. That being said, the above picture definatly isnt one. It obviously has some type of soft foot. Off the top of my head, i'm not sure what species it is, but i would definatly say it is a type of anemone. and from the sound of it, a hungry one at that :)
Here is one of my orange ball anemones for comparison of what I mean about the tips. From what I've heard they can be predatory eaters when they get larger:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i152/grinssmi/10_oba_1.jpg
Oh and a shot that shows the mouth better, keep in mind these are about the size of a dime when fully open:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i152/grinssmi/10_oba_2.jpg
Pufferpunk
12-16-2007, 7:02 PM
They're very cute!
salty420
12-16-2007, 8:03 PM
pretty cool looking!
They are prolific. I have offed a few intentionally to keep them under control. I like them but not wanting them to take over.
Pufferpunk
12-16-2007, 11:14 PM
Same thing with my tulip anemones. I have a few but don't want them to take over. I kill off the extras. I'd love to do a trade with you.
kay-bee
12-16-2007, 11:58 PM
Here is one of my orange ball anemones for comparison of what I mean about the tips. From what I've heard they can be predatory eaters when they get larger...
Wow, the one I have might be a much larger version or relative of what you have. Thanks for posting your pics!
The tentacle tips are very similar and in the morning it withdraws into itself and, other than being a darker shade, looks nearly identical to your first photo. Sometimes the tentacles are completely withdrawn (it's about the size of an apple when it does that).
Are your's mobile or stationary and how often do they create clones?
Same thing with my tulip anemones. I have a few but don't want them to take over. I kill off the extras. I'd love to do a trade with you.
You want to send me mojanos? :eek3:
Wow, the one I have might be a much larger version or relative of what you have. Thanks for posting your pics!
The tentacle tips are very similar and in the morning it withdraws into itself and, other than being a darker shade, looks nearly identical to your first photo. Sometimes the tentacles are completely withdrawn (it's about the size of an apple when it does that).
Are your's mobile or stationary and how often do they create clones?
They are stationary, but they are in a very porous rock teeming with life. They have spread throughout it causing almost a matted web like zoas do. They don't spread so fast that you can't control them, but you have to check under rocks nearby on occasion to see if any are waiting to make a getaway.
Morel
12-17-2007, 11:52 AM
Yes, mushrooms are in the anemone family.
Really? wow I had no idea!
Learn something new everyday :)
Pufferpunk
12-17-2007, 1:09 PM
You want to send me mojanos? :eek3:
Tulips are NOT majanos! They very colorful & cute--bright green w/pink tips. Mine are barely multiplying & they don't sting anything.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/Pufferpunk/90gReef/Mini-Anemonefrag.jpg
Ohhhh purty! Some call them majanos but yes I'd agree those look different!
Pufferpunk
12-17-2007, 1:57 PM
The folks at my local reef forum always give me a hard time over those... insist they are majanos untill they actually see them.
With the way common names are tossed around it has caused confusion with them.
kay-bee
12-27-2007, 8:04 PM
While browsing through E. Borneman's "Aquarium Coral", it looks like the 'mushroom' I have is some sort of pseudocorynactis ('orange ball corallimorph'), a mushroom described as 'anemone-like'. Orange ball anemone may be another name for them.
Psst, isn't that what I said in post 9?
kay-bee
12-27-2007, 9:22 PM
I meant to indicate I now know what the species is (in addition to the common name you provided in post #9 and my acknowledgment in post #15 that what I have is the same or similar to what you have).
After finding out the species I read on some other sites that they're not necessarily photosynthetic. I'm not sure if that applies to some or all species. Do you feed yours regularly? I'm feeding it krill about twice a week as well as provide enough light over it to sustain common mushrooms.
It surprised me a week or so ago when I caught it with its mouth gaped fully open expelling a fairly large (and unfortunately, digested) nasarius snail and as well as a lot of sand; it must have caught it a night or two before, I totally forgot I had that snail in there).
Heck no I don't feed them..lol. In fact I've killed a few to keep their population down. I like them but I don't want them taking over the tank.