what the heck is this?

[Kristin1234]

It's on the bottom of a peice of a shell I got out of the ocean in July.

That's a speck of sand on it.

Any ideas?

Good or bad?

 

[silverado61]

Are you talking about the scarlet hermit crab or what's hanging onto the rock behind it?

 

[bang guy]

Looks like a sponge from here. Does it move much?

 

[Kristin1234]

Not the crab. The moldy green macaroni noodle behind it.

Bang, I'm not sure if it has moved. Just noticed it last night, I will keep an eye out to see if It moves.

 

[bang guy]

I'm pretty sure it's a sponge. I used to know what kind it was but have forgotten. They are one of the sponges that can crawl around until it finds a good spot to settle.

 

[Kristin1234]

Okay. Is this another one?

This one is more flat and brighter!?!

What the heck!

Is it safe or should I remove it?
What does it do?

 

[Kristin1234]

Niether one have moved since I found it.

 

[bang guy]

Yes, that one is the most common - yellow sponge.

They do a small amount of filtering, not much but some. Other than that they are harmless. They also sequester silicates which can be helpful in reducing Diatom blooms.

 

[Kristin1234]

Ok thanks, bang!

I just wanted to be sure it wasn't an alien egg of some sort.

 

[Kristin1234]

Okay it definitely moved a good 3" since this morning.

 

[pegasus]

Okay. Is this another one?

This one is more flat and brighter!?!

What the heck!

Is it safe or should I remove it?
What does it do?

Yellow Clathrina... Safe.
Looks pretty. Stays stationary, except for growing... and multiplying.

 

[Kristin1234]

Thanks Pegasus!

Here's the other issue I was telling you about .

 

[Kristin1234]

Nvm. She's back in the main tank now.

She's freaking Houdini, I guess.

 

[pegasus]

Awesome! I'm glad she was able to get back on her own. Yeah... that situation posed a bit of a problem with recovery! You may want to put a piece of netting over the overflow box to prevent another episode... though I have a feeling she may not try that move again. However, it's better to be safe than sorry.