What is this?

[petcrazy213]

I was looking at my tank today (just a few moments ago) and noticed a strange growth of some sort on a piece of LR. It almost looks as if the rock itself has sneezed and the oozy stuff that seems to be coming from the rock kind of threads out in several directions while the major mass of the glob looks kind of smeared into the crevace of the LR. The major part of the grow is about the size of a pea, only smooshed, and the thread-like pieces off of it are maybe 1 in or less. There are 2 of these spots on this particular LR and a small nodgule that looks like it may be the same thing. What could this be? Good/Bad/ no cause for concern? I can try to get a picture if it doesn't sound familiar to anyone.

[K9Decoy]

Well, it might be Aiptasia Anemones which from what I've read on this forum are nothing but a nuisance. That picture will really help though. If it is determined that they are Aiptasia, there are several ways to get rid of them, but I've heard it won't be easy. Sorry I can't provide more info, but I've never encountered them personally, if indeed that is what these organisms are.

[OrionGirl]

A pic would definitely help, but I don't think it sounds like aiptasia. Aiptasia looks like your standard anenome--not pretty colored, slender, pointy tentacles, but otherwise, very familiar.

This could be spaghetti worms. They are thin, translucent, and I guess they do look slimy. See if you can find your critters here: http://reefs.org/hhfaq/

If they are spaghetti worms, they are harmless, and a decent detrivore.

[petcrazy213]

Here's a pic of the strange growth mentioned on a previous post ... any ideas?

[petcrazy213]

here's another ... this is the first time I've done pics so bare with me ...

[OrionGirl]

That does not look like spaghetti worms...Is it shaped like a typical anenome? It may be aiptasia, if so. Anything resembling it on the Hitch Hikers FAQ?

[petcrazy213]

I haven't been able to find anything anywhere as to what this could be. It certainly doesn't look like the apastia (sp) I've ever seen so I don't think (hoping!!!) it's that. It is definately new though as it was not there when I bought the rock several months ago and I don't recal it being there the past several weeks but now ... I'm hoping someone will be able to give me some clues here.

[petcrazy213]

this was ment for the thread "what is this?" below ...

[OrionGirl]

Okay--after looking again...It looks like a sponge. Does it move? If you touch it, does it jerk away, anything? Texture?

[petcrazy213]

Thanks for your opinion Oriongirl. After reading your last post I touched the stuff and it does in fact feel "spongey" and does not retract or anything. I think you may be right about it being some sort of sponge. That being said ... do I need to do anything for it? Do you have any ide what kind? Thanks

[OrionGirl]

There are hundreds of kinds of sponges. Most are harmless--they just filter water, and prefer low light areas. I like sponges--some are cool colors and shapes.

No special care, but do be careful touching them. Some contain spicules--little tiny glass-like shards. Not toxic, but annoying as heck if you get them in your skin.

[petcrazy213]

I think I have been "sponged" by some of those tiny glass-like shards you mentioned. I no longer rinse my power filter fiber using bare hands because several times I have gotten tiny clear "splinter-like" things stuck in my skin. :eeek: As you say they never caused any sickness but were quite uncomfortable until removed (very difficult I might add). I now either just rinse with very hard squirting water or by using the end of a scrub brush (the non spongy end). I am thinking of getting a heavy-duty pair of dish washing gloves for this chore and tank stuff ... is there any specific kind you would suggest.

Also, I wanted to add that I think I know why this spongey has suddenly appeared ... I recently bought a pair of feather dusters and a small rock covered with soft corals. I then obviously had to buy filter feeder foods for those guys and I think that's why the spongy suddenly has appeared. It's finally getting enough food to grow! I think that's amazing actually ... since I've started feeding the filter feeder food I have seen some neat things come of my live rock. I found out that I have some cool looking worms (I think they are the spegehtti worms) that are growing out of various parts of some of my rock. Some are a whiteish color but there's one at the top that is a pretty orange. I love watching their arms, especially when food is put in the tank. It's like their doing a little dance!

I'm planning to get some more LR soon, I hope that there is some cool stuff there when I finally get it. It's like Christmas when I find these cool new things! :)