Aliens have invaded my sump!!

[geckopsu]

So I've got about 50 of these in my 30 gal. sump. They're about 3/4 of an inch long each. They don't seem to move but their guts are pretty cool looking. So, anyone know what they are?

 

[trigger11]

Wow! Aliens really have landed in your sump. I have no idea what those are but they do look kinda cool.

The one in the last pic looks like a baby octopus. I only say that because it looks like it has a tentacle with the suction cup things on it.

 

[geckopsu]

That 2nd pic is just a close up of the 1st pic's guts. Pretty gross, huh? I've looked everywhere on the net for an ID on these things.

 

[groupergenius]

Are they free swimming or attatched? Them are some freaky critters.

 

[geckopsu]

They are all attached. Once they pop up, they stay there for good unless I simply wipe them off the acrylic. It doesn't take much to get rid of them but they're fascinating and they're only in my sump.

 

[d.w.]

Those are so weird!!! The first picture looks like a bladder or jug. Do you think it could be an egg of some sort? It looks almost like pictures i've seen of mermaids purses (shark eggs) only not as substantial. Kinda jelly like...gross!

 

[geckopsu]

I thought it could be an egg of some sort too, but there are no creatures in my sump to lay anything. Seems to back up my "alien invasion" theory doesn't it?

 

[groupergenius]

Originally Posted by GeckoPSU
I thought it could be an egg of some sort too, but there are no creatures in my sump to lay anything. Seems to back up my "alien invasion" theory doesn't it?
Maybe possible it came from the DT? Depends on how the sump is set up.

 

[koralkid]

it looks like a sea squirt. i dont really know but it looks like it.

 

[m0nk]

Wow, very weird. It's interesting how the innards are so distinguishable, you don't see that with most invertebrates. I'm interested to see what someone ID's these as....

 

[geckopsu]

Originally Posted by KoralKid
it looks like a sea squirt. i dont really know but it looks like it.
I just googled "sea squirt" and you may be on to something. Pretty close.

 

[d.w.]

Wow! If it is a sea squirt I wouldn't want them in my sump or anywhere near my system. After a quick google search I found that they defend themselves with "sulphuric acid secretion and the accumulation of vanadium, a toxic heavy metal."

 

[texasmetal]

Hmmm, I was gonna say flatworm, but flatworms move! Perhaps it is a sea squirt, you might search "Tunicate" (same thing). It apparently has a syphon on its back.

 

[geckopsu]

Alright, I'm going to go with sea squirt unless someone can convince me otherwise. Now what should I do with them?

 

[donald]

I have the same things in my dt, They are filter feeders for sure. and while I was looking at one with my magnifying glass I taped the glass and the thing retracted so it is soft not hard. Mine don't move either. I was just going to take some pics, thanks for doing the work for me!!!!!

 

[texasmetal]

Originally Posted by GeckoPSU
Alright, I'm going to go with sea squirt unless someone can convince me otherwise. Now what should I do with them?
Leave them, they're beneficial.

 

[ophiura]

Originally Posted by KoralKid
it looks like a sea squirt. i dont really know but it looks like it.

SCORE! And some AWESOME pictures of one at that!

 

[usefulidiot213]

Wow... Those things are really freaking crazy looking....