Help ID
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=59063
Printed Date: September 20 2025 at 7:49pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Help ID
Posted By: Jacknugget
Subject: Help ID
Date Posted: September 15 2012 at 11:27am
I noticed this odd thing in my live rock and I'm wondering if anyone here knows what it might be. They look to me like feeding appendages of some kind. They are not rigid and they withdraw in a curling motion if something touches them or swims nearby.  ------------- 125 Mixed Reef |
Replies:
Posted By: Jacknugget
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 3:35pm
Bump. Nobody knows what these might be? They look a lot like the legs of a basket star but there's never more than 4 or 5 appendages out at a time. Here's another picture. ------------- 125 Mixed Reef |
Posted By: aquablue
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 3:56pm
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It's a filter feeding cucumber, I have several of these guys in my cube.
------------- 12G Nano Cube | DIY LED Member of GCFB |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 5:13pm
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No, it's not a cucumber. It's a Forminiferan. It's neither a plant nor an animal. They come in all shapes and sizes...yours isn't listed in the below site, but here's some info if you want it. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/rs/index.php |
Posted By: aquablue
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 5:18pm
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It's a cucumber... it's a common hitchhiker on the rock at Live Rock & Reef, the body is a dark purplish color and they climb into the holes of rocks and put their plumes out to catch food. I just had one out of the rock a few days ago as they occasionally will climb out at night and find new holes. ------------- 12G Nano Cube | DIY LED Member of GCFB |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 5:32pm
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Whoops - I missed the part where the OP said it moves. I stand corrected. |
Posted By: aquablue
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 5:43pm
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Heres some more pictures of some along with the body (older pictures of mine, bad quality):
I find them fun to watch, about 5 of them occupy one rock in the center of my tank and all come out at once when I feed. ------------- 12G Nano Cube | DIY LED Member of GCFB |
Posted By: ReefdUp
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 5:47pm
| Very cool! I guess they're splitting for you? |
Posted By: aquablue
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 5:56pm
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I'm not sure if they're going up in numbers or if I had more than I thought when they originally went in the tank. I started with around 3 that I remember counting when they first went in. I'd love if it if they were dividing, they add personality to the rockwork for sure. ------------- 12G Nano Cube | DIY LED Member of GCFB |
Posted By: aquablue
Date Posted: September 20 2012 at 7:24pm
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Heres a video of a small one that was near the glass in my tank today ------------- 12G Nano Cube | DIY LED Member of GCFB |
Posted By: Jacknugget
Date Posted: September 21 2012 at 11:48am
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That's way cool! I got the rock from live rock n reef. Thanks guys. Should I be adding food for this thing? ------------- 125 Mixed Reef |
Posted By: aquablue
Date Posted: September 21 2012 at 1:50pm
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If you have some filter feeder food it'd probably appreciate it but I'm sure it picks up a bit of nutrients whenever you feed fish foods too, I've got a small pellet food that they seem to catch. They don't seem too demanding since I wasn't feeding specifically filter feeder food till a few months after having them in my tank. ------------- 12G Nano Cube | DIY LED Member of GCFB |