Polyp ID

[iaJim]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/iaJim/Polypsopen.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/iaJim/Polypsclosed.jpg

I have had these polyps for a few years, and have always admired them. I haven't found them in any of my resources, and would like help identifying them. The first picture shows them open. I had to turn on the lights and shoot this. They open nocturnally. They are about two inches tall, and the stalks are about 1/4" in diameter. They have multiplied and declined but are now looking great. I hope they will multiply again.

Thanks.

[charlesr1958]

Not alot of help, but I am thinking some type of worm?

Chuck

[LeslieH]

A worm? No offense, Charles, but :D :D :D ! It's an unusual zoanthid called Isaurus tuberculatus. Jim - congratulations on keeping them alive. According to my coral book "....this species is hard to keep because the polyps often do not expand. The reason is unknown."
--Corals: Indo-Pacific Field Guide by Harry Erhardt & Daniel Knop.

[iaJim]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d179/iaJim/reef.jpg

They are on the substrate, and in a bit of shadow. I initially had them high in the tank but they didn't like that. They have not had the best of care I'm afraid, but have done well. They sit right next to a blastamousa (spelling?) brain that I have had there for many years. Both are doing very well. You can see them in daytime form just under the flame angel.

Thanks for the ID.

[Letmegrow]

"Common" names include Tube, Worm, Snake,and Madusa zoanthids.Low light and good feedings.

We all know how much LeslieH loves common names.

[LeslieH]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6538006#post6538006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Letmegrow
"Common" names include Tube, Worm, Snake,and Madusa zoanthids.Low light and good feedings.
We all know how much LeslieH loves common names.

:lol:
Tom, Dick, or Harry are nice common names. Tube, worm, snake, or medusa zoanthid suck. But my apologies to Charles if he meant worm zoanthid!

[charlesr1958]

umm yeah, thats it, I meant worm zoanthid...lol, whew...

Those are incredible though, and to be honest, in all my many years of diving, have never seen them before, the spikey looking "tube" as well as the length had me thinking some kind of freaky worm, very nice hitchhiker though!

Chuck

[iaJim]

It wasn't a hitchhiker. I bought the rock with them on it.

[charlesr1958]

What was the store calling them when you bought them?

[iaJim]

Unidentified polyps.

[Sugar Magnolia]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6541782#post6541782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iaJim
Unidentified polyps.
Classic!