Is this a sea creature from the deep?

[dayna]

No really, it has appeared in my saltwater tank. I only have 3 fish and one crabby. I have NO CLUE what this thing is. There appears to be 3 or 4 of them. They are pretty cool looking. I have had them for months with no ill effects to my fish, I am just wondering what the heck it is! Clues anyone?

 

[taznut]

i would guess some type of sea horse but it is nothing that i have seen before...

 

[dayna]

It seems "segmented" like some sort of worm. The hair like tenticles are very interesting to watch. You can tell the creature controls them.
It is fascinating to watch move around the tank. It does stay pretty much stuck to the glass. It is beautiful.
I am trying to find out if it stings or not!

 

[30-xtra high]

it's called a leafy seadragon!. you are really lucky!. they grow up to look like a big seahorse with leaves hanging off it. they don't sting, its just a cool looking fish. they aren't very common, and you should try to sell 1 of them to your local fish store. keep 3, get rid of all your other fish, and make it a species tank and hope they breed.

 

[dayna]

You are kidding me! I have something cool? LOL
Soooooo how do ya feed the little guys?

 

[the j.o.p.]

you should be able to get a pretty penny if you sell them.

 

[hot883]

I highly doubt it's a sea dragon. They are protected species and I do not see the resemblance.

 

[dogstar]

This is a juvenile Leafy Dragon....it may be a different Syngnathidae IDK...
Describe your system....it would have had to hitchhiked in on live rock I quess.
Looks like macro algea roots to me...sorta...

 

[dayna]

Yeah, I just looked at a bunch of photos and it does not really look the same.
Any other thoughts?

 

[dayna]

Originally Posted by Dogstar
This is a juvenile Leafy Dragon....it may be a different Syngnathidae IDK...
Describe your system....it would have had to hitchhiked in on live rock I quess.
Looks like macro algea roots to me...sorta...
I have 45 gallon tank. Crushed coral substrate, 3 peices of live gorgian red coral.
1 yellow chromis (damsel) 2 fire gobies. 1 hermit crab.
I have the biowheel filter system.

 

[hot883]

could it be something broke off the fake decorations?

 

[shogun323]

Originally Posted by 30
it's called a leafy seadragon!. you are really lucky!. they grow up to look like a big seahorse with leaves hanging off it. they don't sting, its just a cool looking fish. they aren't very common, and you should try to sell 1 of them to your local fish store. keep 3, get rid of all your other fish, and make it a species tank and hope they breed.
I have to disagree. I don't think this is a sea dragon at all. It is only possible if your substrate came from Southern/Western Australia as that is the where they are indiginous to. Also, sea dragons are very delicate creatures and I doubt they would survive the trip into your tank as a hitchhiker.
wow look at all the responses between when I hit reply and submit!!

 

[aw2x3]

From the looks of the picture, it has no means of locomotion...no pectoral fins, tail, etc.

 

[dayna]

Originally Posted by hot883
could it be something broke off the fake decorations?
Seeing as how it moves on its own and eats fish food, I am gonna guess that it is not something that BROKE off the FAKE decorations....
It is a living creature....

 

[dayna]

Originally Posted by AW2x3
From the looks of the picture, it has no means of locomotion...no pectoral fins, tail, etc.
I thought I had mentioned that it was segmented like a worm.

 

[dayna]

Just another note, I might have not mentioned, is that it is STUCK to the glass, it is not free swimming in this photo. It does occasionally let go and latch on to another section of the glass. But otherwise it moves on the glass. I watch it move, it is alive.

 

[aw2x3]

Originally Posted by dayna
Just another note, I might have not mentioned, is that it is STUCK to the glass, it is not free swimming in this photo. It does occasionally let go and latch on to another section of the glass. But otherwise it moves on the glass. I watch it move, it is alive.
Then I'd be inclined to say that it's certainly some type of worm or nudibranch.

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by Dogstar
Looks like macro algea roots to me...sorta...
Root -That's what I thought before I read any of the other post.
If you say it's alive then keep it away from the gargoyle

 

[hatessushi]

Originally Posted by AW2x3
Then I'd be inclined to say that it's certainly some type of worm or nudibranch.
That's what I was thinking. Some kind of nudibranch. I had a few red and white ones that came with my LR.

 

[dayna]

I looked at the nutribranch and cannot find one that is remotly like what I have.
I have a marine biology lab here (I live in Southeast Alaska) that is going to take a look at one of them. I have a few so I can give one to the purpose of science! LOL
Any other ideas? It is pretty thin like thinner than a bamboo skewer.