ID help!

[LBCBJ]

I just set up another tank 2 weeks ago. The life on my live rock is amazing (shout out to Chad at reefscience.com). Anyway, I've noticed one prominent organism on one of my rock (there are several on it). I will try to post a pic, but its very hard to photograph so here's a description.

They are very small (~ 3/16 in.) stationary clear organisms that extend very long feeding tentcles (?) at night and during the day. The tentacles are almost like long white bird feathers that can reach 1' or more. I gave them DT's a few hours ago and they ate it. Anyone have a clue what these things are?

[LeslieH]

Sounds like benthic ctenophores. Like their pelagic relatives they feed by elongating 2 fringed feeding tentacles & catching small crustaceans and other organisms. There was another thread about the same sort of thing a couple of days ago so if you do a search you'll find it. I put in several links for more information & pictures.

[LBCBJ]

The search engine here doesn't work :mad2: Would you happen to still have those links? I'm really intrested in finding out what these are. Also, are they harmful in any way? Thanks

[whiteshark]

It nevers works for us non-paying moochers :lol:

[LeslieH]

So much for being lazy! :D Here's the link: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=864810&highlight=benthic+ctenophore

They're not harmful at all unless you're a copepod.....

[LBCBJ]

Thanks Leslie, I'm going to read that. But first I have a really bad pic to post so mabey it will help. Clicking on them should make it larger. HTH

http://thumb9.webshots.com/t/36/36/2/79/34/2350279340092000009IDRMlK_th.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2350279340092000009IDRMlK)

http://thumb9.webshots.com/t/61/161/9/12/77/2938912770092000009OdGrvC_th.jpg (http://community.webshots.com/photo/2938912770092000009OdGrvC)

They are attached to the rock in the bottom left corner. You almost see them flouresce with the flash

[Amphiprion]

Generally, their feeding 'tentacles' have numerous branches coming off of the main portion, making it look like numerous 'flags' from the main tentacle.