Coral or Not?

[kristiavi]

I just got some new live rock and it has these little purple spikes on it. The rock is covered in coraline algae, is that all these little purples things are or did I manage to get some free coral? Please help me as im new to this and completely clueless! Thanks

 

[flower]

It's a type of algae, I have it on my rocks. Nothing to worry about. Welcome to the site!

 

[btldreef]

Can you take a close up shot of one of them?

 

[kristiavi]

This is as close as I can get but the picture quality is better. Hopefully this helps. These little clusters are all over this rock, its a different color then the algae so I think it is coral but if so then i wonder what kind??

 

[nikesb]

not a coral, theyre foraminiferans

 

[kristiavi]

Is it bad? From what ive read i dont think it does anything and it doesnt get any larger

 

[nikesb]

theyre harmless. foraminiferans are one of the oldest life forms on earth, theyre not algae or corals though. theyre cool looking though and add diversity to the tank