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View Full Version : Hitchhiker ID, please!


Crazed
06/29/2009, 03:08 PM
There's a strange... growth that's been on my rock since day one. Originally, I thought it was a dead sponge, since it's white and seems semi-squishy when I touch it, and it's definitely sessile; it hasn't moved at all. But, it's been around for almost 2 months now without any change in appearance, so I'm wondering if this thing is still alive.

I originally left them on the rock when I pre-cured them, since I was actually worried about the rock being too clean, and I thought a dying/dead creature would be a decent ammonia source.

There's 3 of them (that I can see) on my one rock, which was from Fiji I believe. This one pretty much had the most life on it, compared to my other rocks; grass algae, bubble algae, worms, probably my Stomatella snail, etc. Can anyone help my identify these things and if I need to get rid of them? Thanks!

http://the-polyglot.net/uploads/other/aquarium/hitchhiker1-1.jpg

http://the-polyglot.net/uploads/other/aquarium/hitchhiker1-2.jpg

http://the-polyglot.net/uploads/other/aquarium/hitchhiker1-3.jpg


Also, there's another hitchhiker I just found. I don't recall seeing this before; if it was on the rock originally, it's grown a lot since I first put it in. It's very small; smaller than the other organism. There's something that looks similar on the top of the rock too.

Could it be a feather duster? I used a baster to spray some water at it and the little tentacles retracted into the tube.

http://the-polyglot.net/uploads/other/aquarium/hitchhiker2-1.jpg

Nihoa
06/29/2009, 03:13 PM
they look like tunicates or sea squirts. see the two little mouths on the one pictured at the bottom? harmless filter feeders.

Cozmo4
06/29/2009, 03:14 PM
Looks like a harmless, filter feeder pineapple sponge.

Crazed
06/29/2009, 03:20 PM
Thanks for the opinions, guys. :) I'm leaning towards the sponge option; for the one on the top, at least, I can see a spongey pattern that didn't quite get caught by the camera. Although the more I look at it, maybe the last picture is a different life form, maybe the turnicate Nihoa mentioned?

Is there any way I can tell if these guys are still alive? I'm glad to hear they're harmless, though. :)

Ohiomom
06/29/2009, 03:21 PM
+1 on the sponge..no worries..if it dies it will just disappear..

Crazed
06/29/2009, 03:53 PM
Could I get an ID on this thing too?

http://the-polyglot.net/uploads/other/aquarium/hitchhiker2-1.jpg

I don't recall seeing this before; if it was on the rock originally, it's grown a lot since I first put it in. It's very small; smaller than the other organism. There's something that looks similar on the top of the rock too.

Could it be a feather duster? I used a baster to spray some water at it and the little tentacles retracted into the tubes.

Thanks!

Rich D
06/29/2009, 04:15 PM
do the sponge things have transparent spine-like things sticking out of the tips? most pineapples have these little transparent feather things.

jdieck
06/29/2009, 04:24 PM
IMO they are not pineapples but they look like sponges to me. I have several of them. They are usually white with green spots throughout and their consistency when touched is "spongy" if you know what I mean. They are harmless even if they die.
The other organism is difficult to asses as the tentacles you mention are not clear in the picture. My initial impression was for a mushroom or a palythoa.

Ohiomom
06/29/2009, 05:00 PM
they are syconoid sponges which I think are in the same family as the pineapple ones. But seriously no worries on them. As for the second picture, ?, any chance of a better picture..try the macro setting on the camera if possible..little flower icon on the camera..

CoachOJ
06/29/2009, 05:11 PM
The 1st pics are sponges. The last pic looks like hydroids but can't really tell for sure from the pic

Crazed
06/29/2009, 08:16 PM
I'm sorry, but I don't think I can get a better pic on the second one. =/ It's quite small, and even with a Nikon D80 I can't get it clearer.

Thanks for the expertise though, everyone. :) As long as I know they're not harmful, that satisfies me.

jbryant
06/29/2009, 09:27 PM
The other coral is a leather coral I think they are called cabage leather. They are pretty hardy judging from the ones I have. Hope that helps