What in the......????

So I THOUGHT I had an aiptasia problem. But 2 peppermint shrimp and a bottle of Joe's Juice later, I'm now doubing that aiptasia are what these really are. So I'm doing what I should have done weeks ago -- asking all of you for input.




With any luck that's a picture of my Maxijet 1200 intake. But if you squint below it in the horrible picture you might be able to make out a small, clear-ish branching critter attached to the live rock. Any ideas? (other than that I need to practice taking shots of things in my tank)

Thanks in advance!

 

Could be sponge, could be algae. Try to take a clearer shot.

 

I've been scouring the web all afternoon and I think that it's some sort of hydrozoan, perhaps a Stylasterina species. But since I never did get to that marine invert. zoology back in school, I'd love for someone to weigh in.
(I don't think my little point and shoot digital is going to get a much better shot)

 

They won't bother your tank or inhabitants. They arrive on the live rock and are harmless.

 

I got them to they are called foraminiferens, they are a harmless filter feeder and can come in several colors. I have mostly red, pink, and white like you have. Some look like mini trees others can be round or oval shaped.


http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/rs/index.php


http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9034819

 

Thanks so much. That's them. Here's a better pic I googled.

http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/pages/picture_pages/faq_foramwhite.html

 

Whoot I had that site booked marked at one time but had lost it and could not remember what it was called. Well I will book mark it again so i have it.
Thanks lots

I had the little oval shaped ones they seemed to spread rapidly stick around for a while then dissapear but the tree and knobbed shaped ones dont dissapear. I'm still not sure why the oval ones multiply then dwindle down.