ID please

djquixotic · 06-13-2005, 08:50 PM

Just saw them today any Ideas?

Graham · 06-13-2005, 08:56 PM

Look like tunicates or some other type of sea squirt...possibly a sponge.

jules77 · 06-13-2005, 09:08 PM

looks like pineapple sponge to me. A good sign that your tank is maturing and doing well. They don't like much light which is why they are on the underside of the rock. I have a bunch that are growing in my sump with pretty much no light.

Graham · 06-13-2005, 09:19 PM

Are they transluscent or opaque?
Can you see "into" them?
Or are there little holes in the "walls"?

djquixotic · 06-13-2005, 09:31 PM

They are really small its hard to see them. I would say they are transluscent.

the little cone top they have looks like it has a tiny hole in the center.

Graham · 06-13-2005, 09:37 PM

If transluscent and smooth, they're likely tunicates/squirts.
If they look kind of "rough", they're sponges.

djquixotic · 06-13-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham

If transluscent and smooth, they're likely tunicates/squirts.

So they are good/OK to have?

Graham · 06-13-2005, 10:45 PM

Yep. Steve Tyree's zonal filtration method utilizes a compartment full of these to remove nutrients/organics from the water. I've had them on newer live rock, but found that over time they die due to lack of appropriate food (I assume). I'm pretty sure phytoplankton is required to maintain them long term - if they are indeed what you have.