Help id critter

jdawson

jdawson

New Member
Can anyone identify this critter? I think that it's some type of sponge. I spotted it underneath a piece of rock in my reef tank. The specimen is about 1.5 inches from top to bottom. It does not move. Thanks.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Yeah, colonial tunicate comes to mind. Do you see any tiny openings?
Steve Tyree said this during a MACNA XIV in 2002 presentation (as written by Kevin Kuykendall in Reefkeeping online):
When attempting to identify whether an in-tank mass is a sponge or a colonial tunicate, he suggested taking a look at the spacing of the openings in the surface of the animal. Equidistant spacing of these openings is indicative that your animal is a tunicate and not a sponge.
Dr. Shimek's article on Tunicates
Any chance for a closer shot?
 
jonthefb

jonthefb

Active Member
i am going to also suggest tunicate...the fact that it doesnt move kinda throuws out the flatworm idea, but whatever it is it is very cool looking!
congrats and good luck
jon
 
jdawson

jdawson

New Member
Thanks for the input. There are openings that don't show up too go on the photo. The dark spots in the picture are the openings. Thanks again.
 
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