Quote:
Originally posted by sessydude
...They are hollow, kind of tube like, but at the base they are approx 1/2" across and conical in structure down to approx. 1/2" at the top. They are a dirty yellow/brown color with darker spots on them. Somewhat similar to cheetah markings...
|
The proverbial "picture is worth a thousand words"
From your description of it's behavior, I doubt it is a sponge. If it has that much of a daily change in size and appearance, this would more closely match the activities of a sea squirt, but then again, without better information we are just guessing. There are many genera and species of these turnicates, but
here is a small page about sea aquirts to start your ID process, although
this particular one may be a bit closer to your description. The cheatah-like description makes me think
of the brown sea squirt and although there are many photos of the really colorful and delicate ascidians, most of them are more
like these brown species. Look closely, if it is a sea squirt, there is always a pair of siphons involved with each specimen. They usually found on rock, although some species are capable of burrowing in the substrate. The body of the sea squirt can be smooth or rough, with two openings, one for intake and one for exhaust. These tunicates are solitary animals that constantly filter the water for small phytoplankton and particulate organics. Sea Squirts require strong current and excellent water conditions, and there presence can be much like the Canary in a coal mine. All sea squirts will benefit from supplemental feeding with liquid plankton and other dissolved organic foods, although in a well-establish mature tank they should do well. Should be TONS of info on the net. Check out some of the key words her and see if any of these acsidians match your specimen.
HTH, a good up-close picture would help a lot.
