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FAQs about Live Rock Hitchhiker/Creature Identification 7
Related Articles: Live Rock, Reef
Systems, Refugiums,
Related FAQs:
Live Rock, Answering Some LR FAQs by James Fatherree,
LR Hitchhiker ID 1, LR Hitchhiker ID 2,
LR Hitchhiker ID 3, LR Hitchhiker
ID 4,
LR Hitchhiker ID 5,
LR ID 6, LR
ID 8,
LR ID 9, LR ID 10,
LR ID 11, LR ID 12,
LR ID 13, LR ID 14,
LR ID 15, LR ID 16,
LR ID17 &
Non-Vert IDs 1, Tubeworm ID,
Polychaete Identification, Live Rock 1,
LR 2, LR 3, LR 4,
LR 5, Curing Live Rock,
Live Rock Selection,
Shipping/Moving, Placement,
Lighting, Water Quality,
Live Rock Studies in Fiji Collaboration &
Charts, Copper Use, Marine
Landscaping, Marine Biotope, Sumps,
Refugiums, Faux
Rock, | 
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White funk on liverock 1/26/06
I have a 20 gallon
high saltwater tank that has about 7 1/2 pounds of Fiji live rock, along
with a couple damsels and a Sallylightfoot crab. my question is this:
our live rock is looking really nice ( was cured before being added to
the aquarium) except for one thing. there is a whitish, almost spider
webby looking coating on some of the rock, which didn't show up until
after we added the fish. the sally lightfoot crab pulled some of it off
and it seemed like he ate some of it, but there's still some on there.
what is this stuff? and how do i get rid of it? i would have included a
photo but my digital camera is all messed up. my boyfriend and i are new
to the marine aquarium hobby, and want to do everything we can to get
this small tank going well so we can upgrade to a larger aquarium. we
like your site a lot, and ya'll really seem to know your stuff. i wasn't
able to find anything on the site about the stuff on my rock. once we
get this aquarium going well, we would like to upgrade to at least a 90
to set up a mini reef, and eventually (once we have a house with more
space) have a shark tank. i was interested in the banded cat sharks,
since they stay smaller. we've read your FAQ section on sharks, and done
a lot of research, and we've come to realize its going to be a while
before we can afford a large enough tank for such a fantastic animal to
be happy. thanks for the help
~Erica and Eric
<Is just
decomposition products... likely not harmful... will be replaced,
succeeded in time with adequate light, circulation, water changes, time
going by. BTW there is no such word as a lot, i's are capitalized, there
are spaces between sentences. Fix this all before sending. Bob Fenner>
Live Rock ID
questions.... - 01/24/06
Hi,
Being new to using
live rock, I've spent countless hours in the last few weeks reading
through your site. All I can is thanks...I have yet to find another
resource that's been as helpful and informative as yours. I've
attached 2 pics of some growth on my live rock that I haven't been
able to
identify (though for all I know they are extremely
common), and I was hoping you might be able to help me.
<Only
the second one came through>
Picture 1a - There are two red
circled items - one is branch-like and one is a collection of
clearish/green round balls. The yellow circle is of some small
green sprout (these type of sprouts have been popping up all over
the place).
<Very likely a pest algae (Valoniaceae). See WWM re
Greens>
Picture 2a - I've had a lot of small green sprouts that
look different than in picture 1, they seem to look more like blades
of grass, and are starting to
cover the entire rock.
<More
algae...>
I appreciate your help...I'm not entirely sure what
I'm looking at and with all I've read about nuisance growth on live
rock, I'm worried that I may be
seeing a future problem in the
making.
<Not a problem... will cycle out mostly... can be
controlled biologically, through careful maintenance>
If it
matters, this is Caribbean live rock, supposedly from Haiti.
Thanks again for all of your help, and your great site...
-Andrew
<Welcome and thank you. Bob Fenner> | 
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Unidentified creature - 19/1/06
Hello,
I have a question
about a creature that we have found on some live rock in our
aquarium. We have a 65 gallon tank and got a new piece of live
rock. On the rock there is a creature that looks similar to a
barnacle. He sends out a kind of web of fine fibers, lets them swirl
around in the water flow for a while. Then he, bit by bit, draws the
fibers back into him. I also saw him sort of spitting out these small
orange pellets about the size of the tip of a pen. I was wondering if
you might have any idea as to what this creature is. His web is
catching on some of my soft corals and attempting to pull them toward
him. Of course their a bit stronger than his web and he is
unsuccessful. Any help in identifying him would be appreciated.
<It sounds like it could be a Vermetid snail. Do search WWM, the web for
more information on these interesting creatures (A good article can be
found here:
http://www.reefs.org/library/aquarium_net/0897/0897_8.html. Enjoy
the diversity of life you have! Best regards, John.>
Thanks,
April
Live
rock ID
Dear Team at WWM,
as a proud new owner of a 10
gal tank with live rock (no fish yet and not
soon planned) and
as a newbie to the saltwater experience I truly enjoyed
browsing
your website for the last couple of weeks. I learned tons of stuff,
thanks!
I still couldn't find anything there or anywhere else on
the web that
would've helped me ID something that came with my
rock (please see attached
image)
<A nice pic... but need
close-up/enlargement of item #2>
Circle #1 is a tree-like
structure about 1" and it is attached to the rock.
There is
smaller alike looking structure growing in its neighborhood.
<This is very likely a hydrozoan... perhaps a Stylasterine>
Circle #2 is a .5" long oval shape and it seems to have three spikes
sticking out of it. I feels like it is filled with a gel-like
substance.
<Sorry to state, but my eyesight is so feeble, that
even enlarging the pic, losing acuity, I can't make this out. Please
send another more resolved image if you can>
Thanks a bunch for
your help!
Bettina
<Oh, neither are harmful, need to be
removed. Bob Fenner> | Re: Live rock ID
1/16/06
Dear Bob,
You are fabulous! Thanks so much
for the super quick response! I could not
get a better
picture of #2 since this thing is so tiny, but after doing some
more research on your site, I think it is some kind of sponge,
it "breathes"
and what I thought to be spikes turned out to
be holes.
Thanks again, what a terrific hobby!
Kind
regards.
Bettina
<Thank you for your shared enthusiasm.
Bob Fenner> | 
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LR Growth ID - 01/09/2006
WWM,
<Hello Bryan.>
How's life
under the reef?
<Actually, wonderful (except these confounded cement
shoes!).>
If you could, I ask for your endless knowledge in helping
me ID this growth I have on one of my rocks.
<Hmm...Endless? My
sister used to convince me to pay her 25 cents to help me eat my ice
cream, so it wouldn't melt!>
Let me know if the picture does not
come through.
<Got it just fine.>
To the touch it is hard and
semi-rough; nothing like a sponge feeling. It kind of looks like a star
polyp colony, but with no polyps, and I pretty sure it is not that since
I have successfully reproduced those before and know what they look
like. I'm thinking it's some kind of stony coral, but have not got a
clue as to what
kind. I have been through all my books and have
found nothing. What ever it is I hope it keeps growing; the bright pink
color will make an awesome addition to the tank. Any suggestions?
<One, for a start anyway. It appears to have pseudopodia extended at the
ends. Try a Google search on foraminiferans; specifically Homotrema
rubrum. It would be a good sized cluster, but it looks right to me. If
you have it, look in Sprung's invertebrates book also.>
Thanks
guys!!
<Gladly. Let us know if this is correct or you need more
help.>
Bryan
<Josh.> | LR Growth ID -
01/13/2006
Josh,
<Hi there Bryan!>
Thanks for the
information. I'm pretty sure now that you were right on the mark.
<Glad to be able to help.>
I did find various pictures and
articles that are almost identical to the one in my tank. My only
question now is "what" exactly is it?
<That's a good one! These
are great filter feeders to have and a nice decorative addition.>
Everything I've read just referred to it as Homotrema rubrum or
species, and almost always had "seaweed" somewhere in the paragraph.
Is Homotrema rubrum a type of hard seaweed?
<The seaweed bit was
probably in reference to the role that Foraminiferans play in
feeding them. They are actually not considered plants or animals,
but Protists (yeah, I had to look that up). I found a great link for
more info.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/rs/index.php . Hope
that helps you out.>
Thanks again
Bryan
<Quite welcome.
- Josh> | 
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White Cobweb With Bugs - 01/01/2006
Hi there - we have a marine
tank which has been "previously owned". Set up a month ago with four
inherited fishes (a Yellow Tang, blue Damsel and two green damsels). All
fishes ecstatically happy. All snails happy. Nitrate and Nitrite levels
good,
<Meaning?>
phosphates under control.
<As in?>
The
only problem seems to be the small piece of "living" rock we inherited.
Its full of life, despite its size and treatment to date.
<Resilient
stuff.>
It has just started growing a white gauzy mould which is
spreading fairly quickly.
<Probably sponge growth.>
Underneath
the film are tiny little clear ticks - fast moving and confined to that
rock.
<All throughout your tank most likely.>
They're
multiplying fast. Can you tell us if we should be worried and what it
is?
<Nothing to worry about except excess nutrients perhaps (fueling
the rapid growth). Otherwise normal developments.>
Thanks, Jon.
<Welcome. - Josh>
Items On Live Rock - 12/29/05
I have these items that look
like "white commas" on the live rock. The cleaner shrimp does not
seem interested in eating them. I have two photos (the second being
zoomed in). Any ideas on what these are?
<<Yep...a Serpulid
worm of some sort...harmless if not beneficial...nothing to be
concerned about. EricR>> | |
The
Mysterious Critters of Live Rock 12/7/05
Hello there!
<Hey Jess! Adam J with you this morning…well almost noon now.>
I
looked through a ton of postings and did not find the answer to my
question, so here it is.
<Okay.>
I have noticed what look like
eggs in my reef tank. They are white, fuzzy, shaped kind of like a tear
drop, and have these almost transparent white things coming out of the
bottom of them. I'm guessing this is to pick up the stray bacteria in
the tank to provide nourishment for whatever is growing inside of it.
<Stray nutrients would probably be a better term.>
They are suspended
from one of my live rock "caves" and there are only two. I have a
serpent starfish who hangs out by them all the time. Also, a peppermint
shrimp, a banded coral shrimp, snails (who are reproducing like crazy),
hermit crabs, a yellow tang and a tiny clown. Any ideas what they might
be?
<Well as you mention below a picture is the best and only way I
can even come close to a positive identification though I will take a
few guesses at it. The white ball sounds very much like a sponge but the
“feathery appendages” you mention make it sound rather like some type of
tube worm (possibly a Spionid/Chaetopterid worm) or even a barnacle,
could even be some type of hydroid. I know that’s a broad list of very
different animals but without any more detail or pictures that’s really
the best I can do.>
I tried to take a picture, but they get blurry
when I zoom in close enough to see them.
Thanks!
<Sorry I could
not be of more help.>
Jess
<Adam J.> 
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Liver Rock Hitchhiker/Limpet 10/12/05
Thank you for the
pointers Ted.
<<You're welcome.>>
I've checked through the
suggested areas and come up with two other 'what is it' e-mails from
the WWM archive. The problem now is that one response says that the
limpet is fine and will browse on algae, diatoms etc - the other
says it may be partial to corals... What would your best suggested
course of action be?
<<Observe him/her as well as your corals.
It is likely harmless but you never know. If you find yourself
worrying, remove him/her.>>
The creature has stayed grazing
within a small area since I first spotted it 3 days back, and seems
to be eating algae. I've attached a marginally better picture. Any
advice much appreciated.
While watching this mollusk I also
noticed this other strange phenomenon. It appears that something has
made a home out of old coral, shells and sand held together with a
web like material,( much like a fresh water caddis-fly larvae
would). The tube is around 5cm long up a piece of live rock. No
animal is visible,( but I suspect a worm), I know it's a awkward
ask, but friend or foe?
<<I would agree that it is likely a worm.
Most are beneficial although some are bad news. At this point, I
would simply observe things.>>
Thank you again. Bob Mehen
<<You're welcome and good luck - Ted>> | 
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LR Hitchhiker 10/10/05
Hello Again good people of W.W.M.,
<<Hello Bob - Ted Here>>
Please can I once again ask for your help
with an identification problem? While watching my aquarium tonight I
noticed a new inhabitant on one of the pieces of live rock. It is about
2cm in diameter, mainly rusty brown in colour , but with a series of
paler rings bisected by green/white dots radiating out from its centre.
The middle of 'it' is slightly raised. It looks a little like some of
the chiton species we get here in the UK, but without the obvious
segmentation. It has no visible opening on it so I don't think it's a
sponge or ascidian and I haven't found a match in your FAQ's. The live
rock is supposedly from Indonesia if that's any help!
<<It can be
difficult to identify LR hitchhikers with or without a picture but a
couple of possibilities come to mind. Please search WWM for Stomatella
and limpet and see if your critter looks like these gastropods.>>
Thank you for your help.
Bob Mehen, Cornwall, UK.
<<You're welcome
and cheers - Ted>> Live Rock Bio-Diversity 10/7/05
I have a
37 gallon reef tank, live rock soft corals etc..... Anyway, I have these
small little colonies of tiny almost microscopic shrimp. They are
transparent and they are definitely not copepods.
<Honestly without
a picture or more thorough description it’s nearly impossible to give
you an exact identification. One of the marvels of live-rock is that
there is a large variety of life on it, what most aquarists refer to as
bio-diversity. It could be a number of things from Mysid or mysis shrimp
to amphipods. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_2/cav2i3/Live_Rock/live_rock.htm
(and use the related FAQ’s links above it) .>
So my question is are
they going to start eating stuff off my live rock or soft corals?
<You’ll have to identify them before we can say if they harmful or not.
I wouldn’t worry to much most of the live-rock microfauna causes little
to no intrusive damage, Adam J.> ID these creatures please
10/4/05
Hi there,
<Jennifer>
Just today, when I turned
off the lights, I noticed 2
tube-like things coming out of my live
rock. The best
way to explain them are like an elephants trunk,
they
very light brown (almost clear) and stretch out 3 or so
inches. When they come in contact with part of the
live rock they
look like they stick to it for a second
and them move on to another
area. I saw another one
on a different piece of live rock that
looked longer
and almost striped horizontally black. Each one of
these things look like they shrink into themselves
when lights come
on. Just wondering what these things
might me and if I need to
worry about them.
<Likely some type of tubiculous
worm... of these, probably some sort of sedentariate polychaete... not
harmful>
I also have one piece of live rock that have BRIGHT
neon green tubes (1/2 inch about 15) all over and
nothing has come
out of them. Any ideas?
<Please see WWM re Live Rock and Marine
Invertebrate IDs. Bob Fenner>
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