oyster?

my liverock came with a lot of what looked like clam/oyster shells embedded in it... most of them were open and empty, so i assumed they were all dead... also the store i bought it didnt put my rock into water or even newspaper so it was out of water for about 20 mintutes when i drove it home.. so i really didnt expect much if any hitchhikers... but tonight i was looking around with the flashlight and when i i shined the light on the clam in the middle in the hole... it closed up and moved further into the hole... i wasnt sure if i really saw it so i waited and it later came back out a little then back in when i shined the light on it again.. any idea what it is?

 

It's pretty common to see vacant clam shells encrusted onto LR. I don't know if you bought any coral yet, but if you didn't--and my eyes aren't failing me, you've got some pretty zoanthids on that rock to the left and behind. You also have some nice coralline growth on the rock in question.

Don't know about the hiding animal.

And welcome to 3reef, LukeJustice!

 

just got those zoa's.. and yes the coralline was on it when i got the rock.. its like 35 pounds and hugeeeee.... theres vacant clam shells all over but the last couple days a couple have dislodged... and this one was moving tonight.. something i should watch out for? or harmless?

 

Most likley just harmless standard clams, there is a name for 'em but right now I cannot remember what it is. They are filter feeders and will help keep your water clean.

 

I have 3 or 4 of them in my tank there realy cool and help to keep ur water clean

 

ok well if he's good then ill stop pestering him with the light!

 

The ones that attach and withdraw into holes are usually Ark Clams, in the genus Arca, Arac, or Barbatia. They are harmless, and apparently can seal up tightly enough to survive at least a short while out of water.

Cheers,



Don