What am I?

I would guess turnicate...definitely not a bi-valve.

Mike

 

Thanks for getting us back on topic Mike. ;D Definitely not a Clive, eh? Again I vote Tunicate!

 

[quote author=amcarrig link=board=General;num=1097714741;start=0#14 date=10/14/04 at 15:22:50]
Maybe we should ask her to test it for crustiness?

BL: Have you touched it? Is it soft, hard, squishy?[/quote]


Great Scott!!! [smiley=shocked2.gif]

Now that's out of the way...I have no clue either! Some help eh?

 

I know.....
(she shakes her head).... :
This is one tactile hobby! Talk about rolling up your sleeves!!

 

I would say it is a colonial tunicate. These are different than the solitary tunicates, in that their growth more resembles encrusting sponges. What makes this a tunicate and not a sponge, is the fact that it "closed up" when you touched it. This is one trait that differentiates Ascidians/Tunicates from sponges (phylum Porifera). Tunicates rapidly respond to touch by closing up thier apertures. Another characteristic of tunicates is a smooth texture (i.e. you indicated it felt like skin), where sponges often feel rough and porous.

Anyway, hope this helps!

 

Cool! Thanks! do tunicates thrive in high or low nutrient water? Just wondering if it is an indicator of high nutrient load or not

 

Tunicates feed mostly on dissolved organics and bacteria.

 

and they do not need bright light. only vigorous flow. nice chaps eh?

 

Thanks all!