Coral or worms???

Bree

I bought this live rock about a week ago. It was a new batch only in for a day before I snagged it. I really like it because it has 7 bi-valves on it and lots of other interesting things. When I got it home it had one small red spot that I was hoping was a type of coral. However I'm a little concerned at how rapidly it's growing and spreading and am a little concerned that it might be something else. It looks like a red pipe coral, much smaller version at this stage. When I started with the rock there was only one spot, now there's 15 and they're growing rather fast for coral. Specialy considering my lights are old and need replaced. At feeding time I can watch the pipe thingys open and close like it's feeding. Not sure if that's an issue or not?
In the photo's the top one is the easiest to see
The top middle is one that's about 4 days old on top of a bi-valve. Directly under that is the original piece with two mouths/pipes it's under the by-valve and shaded so hard to see. Next to it is another piece that has about 7 mouths and is about 3 days old.
Second photo shows 10 smaller single pipes
http://www.drekster.com/myrescues/coral.htm

caferacermike

I'm having a hard time seeing it. My bets are sponge or fan worms.

Bree

I just uploaded a new picture,(same site above) I took about 30 shots of it, this one is the clearest taken from above and not through the glass. It shows it very clearly other than it's washed out on color as I sharpened it. It is a very bright red, not orangey. Been researching the web and so far best I can find is fire coral. Talked to the guy at the fish store and he says not possible as the rock came from a different ocean. Fire coral-mediteranian only, rock from carribean. Soooooooo Picture of fire coral found here is an exact copy of what I have, not sure what to think
http://www.sealifecenter.com/photogr...n=detail_photo

usmc121581

Its a type of tube worm CRM will be better at the name of it as I have a hard time remembering names. I have a bunch on all my acro's.

Melissa

from what i understand its tube worm.

Bree

Been at the puter all day and definetly have it down
The top picture is of red encrusting sponges
The bottom picture is of foramniferans
Definitly liking my rock more and more. Also have several yellow spots popping up and suspect the might be yellow sponges as well
Thanks

caferacermike

Ok so I was right, tube worms and sponges. Cool. if you have Xmas worms that's a nice piece of rock. If your Xmas is more then about 1" round you'll have what is known as a coco worm. If the fan is flat and not twisted you have what is known as colony fans. If the fan is large and cupped, generally of 2 colors, it is a feather duster.

Bree

I knew about the feather dusters, I was more worried about the red spots attached to the bi-valve. They are multiplying at such a rate I was moderatly concerned that they might be some aggressive worm, such as that 14" fire bristle worm I pulled out, several months ago. Didn't even have live rock in the tank yet and we moved from a 55 to a 75 and found that bad boy. I had a minor stroke when I figured out why I was always loosing my anenome's. To give you an idea of the growth those things are doing, there was about 10 in the picture I took 2 nights ago, there was about 30, yesterday. And last night they are spreading to other parts of the tank. Knowing what they are and knowing that it's over the spikes that the tank is experiencing with 2 new live rocks in the tank. I know that they'll die back as the tank settles down. Also knowing that they're filter feeders makes them a very welcome addition to the tank. I have several feather dusters in the tank that I've puchased over the yrs. Absolutely love them! And the feather dusters aren't multiplying, although it wouldn't break my heart to have them do so. I also have one Tunicate that's the 2 valved dude in the top picture. He's being quiet and not multiplying so far. I found all the research on him to be quit interesting.

caferacermike

I'm just a touch confused, are you implying that your bristleworm ate your anemones? Everything I read is that they only eat dead waste that is giving off dead animal chemicals into the water.

Bree

They may say that, I went through 4 anemone's before the worm was removed. I've had one since, that is doing great, big, fluffly, happy guy. I've had him for almost about 6 months, the others would last about a month. They also say that if there's enough food in the tank they won't eat the others.. Soooo something else to ponder.