Whats on my rock?

Discussion in 'Live Rock' started by PghSteeler, Mar 16, 2012.

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  1. PghSteeler

    PghSteeler Tassled File Fish

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    So I set up my first SW tank with all dry reef rock and Caribsea sand about a month ago and seeded it with 1lb of liverock from a lfs a few days ago for coralline algae. Since it was such a small piece and it looked pretty dense and just mostly brown I figured there wouldnt be much on it to worry about but after a few days I see all kinds of stuff and am a little worried about what they can be. Hard to get good pictures so I will try to describe what I see.

    [​IMG]

    Im thinking the yellow stuff is sponge of some sort.

    I also see what looks like some kind of feather duster? There are a few on all sides of the rock and they are really featherly and flow with the water. They also suck in real fast when the rock is touched.

    I also found 2 spots that look very similar to the featherduster things but they are more like bristles then feathers and also suck in when the rock is touched.

    A couple tan bristle covered worm things

    A smal spot that looks fuzzy and white with a bunch of mini bubblelike tips. Nothing like a bubblealgae from pictures I see.

    And finally and most scary a somewhat large nude/tan/clear manylegged super fast critter. It crawled out of one hole and ran real fast to another. Looks like it might be a large amphipod but I am not sure. Hoping it is nto a baby mantis shrimp.

    Any help would be appreciated. Can people tell me whats good and whats bad? Post pictures of good critters and bad critters from your tanks? I almost want to take the piece of liverock right out but Im sure whatever is in it probably left and went to other rock by now.

    So I am thinking I have bristleworms, sponge, amphipods, and featherdusters. Not sure what else.
     
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  3. The Grizz

    The Grizz Astrea Snail

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    Sounds like that is exactly what you have there. Personally when I see a Bristol worm it's gone. Sponges are good, feather dusters are good as well unless they get out of control & it's most likely an amphipod you saw.
     
  4. PghSteeler

    PghSteeler Tassled File Fish

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    THanks, why do you get rid of a bristle worm I thought only the red ones are bad? Also how can you tell the difference between a large amphipod and a mantis shrimp fry? I watched it for a long time and it never came into the open just hid underneath the rock. Had 2 tiny black eyes, was fleshy colored with a dark stripe running the length of the body on the back, and it took little pieces of debris off the rock and held them with some sort of legs/claws( too small to see what they were) to eat.

    Should I take the rock out and get rid of it for piece of mind? I like the good stuff on the rock but am so afraid of getting a mantis shrimp.
     
  5. PghSteeler

    PghSteeler Tassled File Fish

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  6. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    Not sure why you're bumping. You got a very good answer.
     
  7. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    Hmmm maybe because he asked more questions. Maybe he's also looking for reassurance. ;)
     
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  9. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    If it will ease your mind, take the rock out. Your right about bristle worms. They are a great part of our clean up crews and harmless.
    Personally I know nothing about baby mantis shrimp so I can't give you a positive ID.
     
  10. PghSteeler

    PghSteeler Tassled File Fish

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    Thanks for all the help, I decided to leave the rock in the tank and put it back in the back of the tank.
     
  11. ZC42

    ZC42 Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

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    Is there livestock in the tank?
     
  12. The Grizz

    The Grizz Astrea Snail

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    Not sure about the amphipd / mantis shrimp question as I have never seen a mantis fry in person but as for the bristle worm, I dont like them one bit. I have had a few clams that where not doing well, suffering from a pinched mantle and before I could try to help them with a FW dip, those damn worms moved in, did more damage & finished off several clams not to mention a few other corals.


    And I was a jerk & forgot to reply :-/