something new every day

wltr013104 · 01-14-2007, 09:08 PM

My husband and I recently purchased our first tank. We have hit some snags along the way but seem to be mellowing out now. I do have a few questions though. We seem to have a pistol shrimp that tagged along in our live rock and just recently came out, is this dangerous to our fish? Also, I have noticed in the past week that we have what looks like tentacles coming out of some of the holes in our live rock, has anyone ever experienced this???

philip_r5 · 01-14-2007, 09:14 PM

How thick are the tentacles? Do they look like a worm?

Found Research of Pistol Shrimps and IMO stuff

The Pistol Shrimp may also be called Symbiosis Shrimp and Snapping Shrimp. It is found in a variety of colors and sizes. Pistol Shrimp are not easily sexed, but the males of many species are thought to have a larger pincher. The sound it makes comes from an appendage on the pincher which moves when the pincher is opened or closed and water is ejected. The Pistol Shrimp can be easily confused with Mantis Shrimp if judged by sound only. Unlike the Mantis Shrimp, it is not harmful and will not pose any threat in the tank, with the possible exception of smaller shrimp.

The name Symbiotic Shrimp comes from the equally beneficial relationship the Pistol Shrimp has with gobies (e.g.;Amblyeleotris or Stonogobiops). The goby, with better eyesight, warns the shrimp of predators. The shrimp share its food with the goby. Depending upon the species, Pistol Shrimp may also have symbiotic relationships with sponges, corals, or anemones (e.g.; Bartholomea annulata).

It is beneficial to the tank as it churns the sand. It thrives in environments with sand, rock caves, and dim light. If in pairs, one will often stand guard at the burrow while the other is inside. The Pistol Shrimp is intolerant of copper or high nitrate levels, but needs a correct level of iodine in the water to promote proper molting.

Pistol Shrimp will accept freeze-dried and frozen foods and bottom feeder tablets, as well as scavenge for algae in the aquarium. The Pistol Shrimp are intolerant of copper or high nitrate levels, but need a correct level of iodine in the water to promote proper molting.

IMO the shrimp may try to eat corals only if they are lacking food, which they hardly do. They are scavengers and eat algaes!

(IMO= in my opinion)

wltr013104 · 01-14-2007, 09:40 PM

Thanks you so much, I feel better already. We already had a fairly large matis in the rockj and had to remove him, I really was not up for all of that again! The tentacles are red and look kind of spiny. Like little starfish legs sticking out of a few hole in our live rock. I've never seen any of them move from the hole they just kind our move back and forth agaist the sand?

Urban_s · 01-14-2007, 10:28 PM

Welcome to 3Reef!

Birchell · 01-14-2007, 10:39 PM

they mite be some kinda feather worm. I have some red ones.

coral reefer · 01-15-2007, 03:17 AM

As for tentacles you see in your live rock, my guess without actually seeing it is that it is, either a Terebellid(spaghetti, Medusa), or Spionid(hair) worm! They are both beneficial and pose no threat to your tank! They are detrivores so they will aid in the removal of waste etc.

01-14-2007, 09:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
wltr013104 Plankton Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 13 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	something new every day My husband and I recently purchased our first tank. We have hit some snags along the way but seem to be mellowing out now. I do have a few questions though. We seem to have a pistol shrimp that tagged along in our live rock and just recently came out, is this dangerous to our fish? Also, I have noticed in the past week that we have what looks like tentacles coming out of some of the holes in our live rock, has anyone ever experienced this???

01-14-2007, 09:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
philip_r5 Feather Duster Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Daytona Beach, Florida Age: 25 Posts: 226 Skin: Mint Karma: 179	How thick are the tentacles? Do they look like a worm? Found Research of Pistol Shrimps and IMO stuff The Pistol Shrimp may also be called Symbiosis Shrimp and Snapping Shrimp. It is found in a variety of colors and sizes. Pistol Shrimp are not easily sexed, but the males of many species are thought to have a larger pincher. The sound it makes comes from an appendage on the pincher which moves when the pincher is opened or closed and water is ejected. The Pistol Shrimp can be easily confused with Mantis Shrimp if judged by sound only. Unlike the Mantis Shrimp, it is not harmful and will not pose any threat in the tank, with the possible exception of smaller shrimp. The name Symbiotic Shrimp comes from the equally beneficial relationship the Pistol Shrimp has with gobies (e.g.;Amblyeleotris or Stonogobiops). The goby, with better eyesight, warns the shrimp of predators. The shrimp share its food with the goby. Depending upon the species, Pistol Shrimp may also have symbiotic relationships with sponges, corals, or anemones (e.g.; Bartholomea annulata). It is beneficial to the tank as it churns the sand. It thrives in environments with sand, rock caves, and dim light. If in pairs, one will often stand guard at the burrow while the other is inside. The Pistol Shrimp is intolerant of copper or high nitrate levels, but needs a correct level of iodine in the water to promote proper molting. Pistol Shrimp will accept freeze-dried and frozen foods and bottom feeder tablets, as well as scavenge for algae in the aquarium. The Pistol Shrimp are intolerant of copper or high nitrate levels, but need a correct level of iodine in the water to promote proper molting. IMO the shrimp may try to eat corals only if they are lacking food, which they hardly do. They are scavengers and eat algaes! (IMO= in my opinion) _________ 24 Gallon JbJ Nano. 150watt metal halide with 10k pulse rite bulb. @20lbs of figi rock and @10lbs of aragonite sand (fine coarse). 2 mj1200s one on return 1 in tank. Serpent star, six line wrasse, diamond goby, misc snails. Cheato in back middle partition with rock rubble, bag of carbon, and sponges in left chamber. Drip kalk, and air stone in back as well.

01-14-2007, 10:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Urban_s Sea Dragon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kalispell, MT Posts: 533 Skin: Mint Karma: 47	Welcome to 3Reef! _________ Senior Noob Setting my 75 back up soon Main SW Tank: 55gal, 70LBS of Tonga/LFSDIY, 50lbs LS, 1x250watt MH(20k), AquaC Remora Skimmer Live stock: Velvet Damsel, (12)Blue legged crab, lawnmower blenny, (1)cleaner shrimp, Yellow Tang, Featherduster CoralsRandom Zoo's(like 10), more zoo's,red mushrooms and hairy mushrooms, Sinularia

01-14-2007, 10:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Birchell Gigas Clam Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Mexico Age: 24 Posts: 894 Skin: Mint Karma: 150	they mite be some kinda feather worm. I have some red ones. _________ 15 Gallon Nano, Current USA 80 watt PC Light, Pengiun HOB Refug, Pair of clowns one ocellaris and one purcula! 100 Gallon Tek T-5 Fixture 6 Bulb, Algea Forest!!!

01-15-2007, 03:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
coral reefer Giant Squid Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 4,721 Skin: Dark Karma: 8110	As for tentacles you see in your live rock, my guess without actually seeing it is that it is, either a Terebellid(spaghetti, Medusa), or Spionid(hair) worm! They are both beneficial and pose no threat to your tank! They are detrivores so they will aid in the removal of waste etc. _________ 125gal.,75gal.,3gal. and 1gal. tanks Yellow,Naso,Tomini,Sohal Tang, Pink Tail Trigger, Snowflake Eel, BANDED CAT SHARK,Hardwicki, Six-Line Wrasse, Blennies/Gobies- Soft and Stony Corals (Crocea, Derasa clams) +numerous inverts "IF THE PHONE DOESN'T RING...IT'S ME" jb associated content.com aka parrothead

01-14-2007, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
wltr013104 Plankton Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 13 Skin: Mint Karma: 1	Thanks you so much, I feel better already. We already had a fairly large matis in the rockj and had to remove him, I really was not up for all of that again! The tentacles are red and look kind of spiny. Like little starfish legs sticking out of a few hole in our live rock. I've never seen any of them move from the hole they just kind our move back and forth agaist the sand?