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FAQs about Non-Vertebrate Animal Identification
15 Related Articles: Marine Invertebrates,
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 16,
Non-Vert IDs 17,
Non-Vert. ID 19, Non-Vert. ID 20,
Non-Vert. ID 21, Non-Vert. ID 22,
Non-Vert. ID 23, Non-Vert. ID 24,
Non-Vert. ID 25,
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,
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, &
Non-Vert IDs 18, 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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ID Needed Please 4/10/06
Can anyone identify these things crawling on the glass of my
refugium?
<Are juvenile/intermediates of polychaete worms>
They move at a good pace and are about 1/16 of an inch. I don't see
any shells. I hope they are nothing bad. I just bought a
two spot blenny and put him in the refugium yesterday and noticed
these things tonight.
<Not bad... more beneficial>
Here is the link to the pictures and drawing.
http://www.cupids-playground.com/unidentified%20worm.htm
Thanks in advance,
Mary O.
<Thanks for sending this along. Bob Fenner> |
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Tiny little starfish like bugs 4/9/06
I have recently noticed several small bugs on the glass of my 46 gal
reef aquarium. It's only been setup for close to a month now. I have about
20 small hermit crabs, and about 15 snails, along with 50 lbs of live rock,
and a pretty deep sand bed. These bugs have a white center, with what looks
to be 8 to 12 hair like tentacles (also white). They are only about 2mm in
diameter (including the tentacles). Any idea what they could be?
<Mmm, likely some sort of small species of polychaete worms>
One other newbie question. Is there a recommended way to vacuum the
sandbed? Should one remove the rock, or just try to vacuum around it as
best as possible?
<Posted... on WWM. Read through the Marine Maintenance areas or learn to/use
the Google search tool, read the cached versions (to highlight key
terms...). Bob Fenner>
Thanks,
Josh
SW invert. ID 4/9/06
Can anyone identify these things crawling on the glass of my refugium?
<Would love to> They move at a good pace and are about 1/16 of an inch. I
don't see any shells. I hope they are nothing bad. I just bought a two spot
blenny and put him in the refugium yesterday and noticed these things
tonight.
Here is the link to the pictures and drawing.
http://www.cupids-playground.com/un...fied%20worm.htm
<I'm just getting page not found. You haven't given enough info the be able
to determine without a pic. So can you fix the link and resend? Thanks,
Jen S.>
Thanks in advance,
Mary O.
Argh! Murder outside the tank!! Mainly invertebrate id's
4/9/06
I have some stars that need an ID before placement into my tank ....I
got this from the LPS and these hitched a ride not sure what they are
...They closely resemble Ophiarachna or green serpent stars ...... I know
that these can and will eat fish up on growth .....
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4081417a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4081418a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4081422a.jpg
<I wouldn't worry about these. Most brittle stars are harmless detritus
eaters. Very beneficial. As long as it doesn't get huge, you'll be fine.>
I also killed a clam/oyster in this process not knowing that is what it was
due to the fact that it did not look anything like a clam/oyster....I could
have sworn that it was a rock so I tried to cut it down to fit into my tank
much to my surprise it was a clam/oyster of some sort .So I have attached
some of those pictures
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071396a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071397a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071400a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071402a.jpg
<I have to tell you that I am absolutely horrified by this. You have to be
extremely careful cutting into anything for your tank. It's all alive, or
has life in it (like in live rock). You can always run the risk of damage,
or in this case mortality. And with pliers too! Please investigate
thoroughly, don't make hasty decisions.>
Also can you tell me are these yumas or Ricordeas
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071391a.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071387a.jpg
<I believe they are Ricordeas. Please do research on our website on all
things you buy and put into your tank. The info here is outstanding. Jen
S.>
Thanks
Bad Attitudes and Horrible Replies - Murder Take II
4/10/06
> Argh! Murder outside the tank!!
> I have some stars that need an ID before placement into my tank ....I got
> this from the LPS and these hitched a ride not sure what they are ...They
> closely resemble Ophiarachna or green serpent stars ...... I know that
> these can and will eat fish up on growth .....
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4081417a.jpg
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4081418a.jpg
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4081422a.jpg
> <I wouldn't worry about these. Most brittle stars are harmless detritus
> eaters. Very beneficial. As long as it doesn't get huge, you'll be
fine.>
**thank you they were my biggest concerned they will be added to the tank
sometime today**
<<< You're welcome>>>
> I also killed a clam/oyster in this process not knowing that is what it
> was due to the fact that it did not look anything like a clam/oyster....II
> could have sworn that it was a rock so I tried to cut it down to fit into
> my tank much to my surprise it was a clam/oyster of some sort .So I have
> attached some of those pictures
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071396a.jpg
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071397a.jpg
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071400a.jpg
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071402a.jpg
> <I have to tell you that I am absolutely horrified by this. You have to
> be extremely careful cutting into anything for your tank. It's all alive,
> or has life in it (like in live rock). You can always run the risk of
> damage, or in this case mortality. And with pliers too! Please
> investigate thoroughly, don't make hasty decisions.>
**sorry that horrifies you however it was not a hasty decision at all in
fact it was covered in coralline algae . Tell me you have never cut live
rock etc. ,
or had a coral not make it your system (unless you don't have salt water
tanks)...So this will also horrify you but we have a Dremel that we use .
Your site even recommends using a sharp razor/exacto blade to "cut " to frag
. If this horrifies you I am sorry , that is part of the life cycle . You
may
not agree with everyone's methods the same as most don't agree with the way
you folks answer at times . So unless you have NEVER made a mistake hold the
criticism. I know you guys do this for free and its great but you don't need
to bash some one for something that can not be conveyed in 1 stinking
email....Let me ask this one final thing .......do you know 100% the
details, unfortunately to don't I did not have a before just the after , so
before
you bash think that maybe there was not malice involved *******
<<<Think about this fully - without emotion and you will realize I wasn't
horrified by what you did per se, just that it happened. Nor was I even
remotely bashing, just giving advice. Everyone makes mistakes, believe me
I've made my share, and you'll make yours. I didn't like that it happened
at all, but I didn't really blame you either, just gave you what I would do
instead. I do agree about using a sharp tool to do the job - I just didn't
particularly like what I saw in the pictures, I'm sure you didn't either,
right?>>>
> Also can you tell me are these yumas or Ricordeas
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071391a.jpg
>
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y143/kma570/Aquarium/P4071387a.jpg
> <I believe they are Ricordeas. Please do research on our website on all
> things you buy and put into your tank. The info here is outstanding. Jen
> S.>
**** Ricordeas huh pay dirt at !! I do research all things that are even
considered to go into my tank .You are correct the info that is out there is
good but not organized , nor all complete , and most of you have attitudes
and bad ones to boot....G'day***
<<<Alright then, yes, we all have our opinions here - you have to remember
we are providing you with a free service. We donate our time to help others
out. If you don't like what we all say, which you've made clear you do not,
you do not have to use this service. Let us have more time for those who
are appreciative then, right? Have a wonderful day, Jen S.>>>
> Thanks
Live Rock/Hitchhikers 4/4/06
Hello. <Hello Jenifer. Always liked that name.>
I have a small 6 gallon tank. In my tank I have a long tipped anemone <Much
too small a tank for anemones.>
and three feather dusters (a Hawaiian feather duster and two small colored
ones) plus some live rock, crabs, and snails (no fish at this point b/c I
had a small ick problem that killed my clownfish). I went on vacation and
when I returned I noticed a few new creatures in my tank.
Baby Anemone?
Suddenly I notice that I have a few (three or four) of what appear to be
baby anemones. One is living on one of my feather dusters' tube and the rest
are on the live rock. They are a too small to take a picture of but they are
pink (a little larger then a pin) with small tentacles with little white
balls on them. The creature closes up just like an anemone when something
goes near it. It actually looks just like a baby anemone. <Hard to say
without
a pic. I'm guessing they are Aiptasia, something you do not want.>
Unknown Critters - Please help
The other new critters in my tank look like small bugs that creep around in
my live rock, corals, and around my feather dusters (the larger ones being
almost a centimeter, the smaller ones are a millimeter or so). They are
whitish or brownish in color (whiter as they get bigger) and almost look
like worms (but crawl...so worms with legs) and have two to three antennae
on their head. There seems to be quite a few of these. Please help! <More
than likely harmless copepods/amphipods, will disappear when you add a fish
since
they are yummy to them. James (Salty Dog)>
Live Rock/Hitchhikers/Re: A tank full of unknown baby
critters
- 04/05/2006
I looked at the pages on amphipods and I am almost positive that is what the
lil bugs are (the guy at the fish store agrees also).
As far as the other critters (the ones that look like baby anemones), I did a
lot of reading and searching online and it doesn't look anything like a
Aiptasia (or other pest anemones that I saw online). Also it contracts when
something swims by it (just like my feather dusters). Unfortunately I was
not able to get a picture with my camera. Is there anything else that u <you, no
"u"s Jen.> can think of that I can look at? Is there any way that it is a baby
feather
duster? <Unlikely> I am asking b/c <No b/c, because.> it is on my feather
duster's tube but it is a
different color. <Try to capture it on camera Jen. James (Salty Dog)>
Regards, Jen
Pink Stinger? - 04/04/06
Hi,
<<Hello>>
I am wondering if you can help identify something in our marine tank.
<<Tough to do without a photo, and even then sometimes...>>
We can see what looks like a small (1/2inch) pink balloon type thing under a
small rock tunnel. (it looks like the bluebottles we have in Australia but
we can't see tentacles)
<<Possibly a sponge or tunicate. Very unlikely to be a jellyfish...and
probably more unlikely to be a Portuguese Man-of-War (bluebottle).>>
We have had a coral beauty and a tang die of no apparent cause recently.
<<Probably unrelated.>>
Could this be some type of stinger, or a plant growth?
<<Most likely an encrusting sponge, or some other innocuous organism.>>
We don't want to pull the rocks apart unless necessary.
<<I don't think you need worry mate.>>
Thanks Megan
<<Regards, EricR>>
Hitchhiker ID 4/1/06
Hello. I just bought a hammer coral earlier today, and found a
little hitchhiker swimming around the bag that
I was hoping you might be able to help me identify. The closest thing I
can compare it to is an Aiptasia
anemone, except it swims around by pulsing it's tentacles.
<A medusoid rather than polypoid animal...>
On the body, it looks like it may have a small siphon that it uses for
propulsion, like a squid.
<Perhaps a salp... a swimming sea squirt of sorts>
I don't see any eyes or other features. It's so small it's hard to tell.
The longest tentacle is a little under a quarter inch. I got as good of
a photo as I could for something so tiny. Right now I have it isolated
in a small cup with fine mesh netting over the top to keep it from
swimming into the tank. I don't think it would harm anything if I just
dumped it in the tank (probably be eaten by a fish pretty quickly), I'm
just interested in learning what it is before I decide where to put it.
Thanks again, Kevin
<Mmm, don't know... but is neat! If it were me, mine, I'd "risk" putting
it back in the system... Bob Fenner> |
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Sponge? Yep 3/25/06
Crew,
Can you help me ID this (see pics)? I think it is some type of sponge,
solid but kind of rubbery to the touch. Would you recommend removing or
leaving it?
<The latter>
I sent you this via a different email about a week or so ago and did not
receive a response so I thought I would try again.
<Appreciate this... more and more getting lost>
Thanks for all you guys do.
Vince
<Welcome. Bob Fenner> |
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Help with id 3/24/06
Hello. I'm resending this because I haven't gotten a response, and
I'm not sure if it went through. AOL's somewhat unreliable with
attachments. Sorry if I'm duplicating an email that is sitting in
someone's in box.
Thank you for your help and your wonderful website!
--Original message--
Hi. I was wondering if you may be able to identify this white-ish stuff
on one of my live rocks. I'm not sure what it is or how to care for it.
It's soft to the touch and feels sort of velvety. Here's a picture.
--update--
Since I originally sent this, the 'stuff' in question has started to
turn a dusky gray. If you can help me with ID, perhaps I can care for
it!
Thank You.
<Are some sort of Syconoid sponge... Please see here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/spongeidfaqs.htm
Bob Fenner> |
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Unidentified Creature 3/20/06
Hi
I recently got a rock nearly completely covered in button polyps. One of the
polyps isn't actually a polyp, it seems to be some animal camouflaged as
one. This animal is either hiding under a trap door that looks like a polyp or
its back looks like a polyp. Every once and a while one side of the "polyp"
lifts and yellowish antennas/arms are visible. Even stranger today I noticed a
slime-like thread coming from this creature. Looking at it closer the animal
appeared to using the thread to feed, releasing it then later, after various
particles/detritus became stuck it pulling it back in, then releasing it clean
again. Any idea what this could be, I have tried searching the Internet and
your website and cant find anything about
this.
Thanks
-Zach
<Is most likely a species of tube-dwelling polychaete worm or a tubiculous
snail. Not harmful. Bob Fenner>
Unknown Creature living in Tank... 3/19/06
Dear Crew,
<Helana>
A few months ago, I noticed a strange tube like stem growing out from
one of the branches of my "clove polyp" corals. (It's hard to see where
the origin of this creature is coming from) It is extremely hard to the
touch, and has a little creature with 2 antennae popping out and
secreting a web like thready substance. (Looks like the antennae of say,
a snail or something like that) The tube seems to be growing longer
with time. I thought it was pretty cool at first. But now, it seems
that the thread/web like secretion that it is emitting may be bothering
my clove polyps.
<Might...>
The polyps seems to be slowly disappearing or staying closed. I'm not
sure if the clove polyps are suffering because of this unknown creature,
or if they are unrelated events. Do you have any idea what this unknown
creature is, or if it is bad for my tank/inhabitants?
<Is very likely a species of tubiculous polychaete... a tubeworm of the
phylum Annelida... there are thousands of such species... Could be a
tube-building snail...>
Actually, as I just began to take some photos of this tube like
creature, I think it is actually secreting this thread like web above to
the clove
polyps and using it as a net to pull off the polyps and eat them. This
can't be good can it? How do I get rid of this thing, can I just break
the tube off and throw it away? Oy very..
<You could... but I would likely just leave it unless it is really
bothering you. Bob Fenner>
Thanks for your time,
Helana Gelleri |
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Sponges And Algae - 03/17/2006
Hi,
<Hello Matt.>
Can you give me any information on the two pictures attached. One photo
is of a brown plant in my 75 gallon tank. It appeared quickly and is
growing rapidly. Is it a Caulerpa?
<Can't really make out in the picture, but does appear to be an algae of
some sort.>
The other photo is of some sort of cocoon in my 30 gallon tank.
<This one is a sponge, nothing to worry about.>
It gets big and retracts on a daily basis and at times has long fine
"arms" protruding from it. Both specimens are anchored to the live rock.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Matt
<Sorry for the brief response but have a "full plate" this AM. - Josh>
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Carnivores Loose in my tank? Worm and snail IDs
3/15/06
Hey there, I have a few questions for you. I have search your site
and found a few answers but none directly about these.
First, I have bristleworms in my tank and including extensive
research on Rob T's sites, I have not found an exact picture of this
worm.
<There are thousands of species...>
I found it out on google, but it was just a picture and no indication if
it was carnivorous or not. I have a ton of these in my tank and have
successfully captured the large ones, including the one in the picture I
have attached. Can you confirm if it is carnivorous?
<Cannot from the images provided... but would not discount such a
notion based simply on the size...>
Second, there is an unidentified snail in my tank which seems to
normally come out at night. I have captured it here, and I have not
been able to identify it with any of your articles. It has a blue hue
to it and I am concerned it might also be causing harm to my mushroom or
others (I've pictured the mushroom as well, it's now more white that
green). I ready of the type of snail that is harmful to corals (bull
snail?) and I did remove one of those, but I wasn't sure if this other
snail was harmful as well, it's beautiful and I would like to keep
it.
I appreciate all your help!
<Again, can't make out enough detail from the images provided. If you
are concerned, see evidence of damage, I'd remove this animal. Bob
Fenner> |
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