They're taking over! What are these creatures?

corrado007 · 05-31-2007, 07:24 PM

I added some small chunks of LR to my refugium over the past week and now I have these white things all over my sump. They are on the overflow side of the sump where water enters it, in the return section around and on the pump, and in the refugium. There are just a few that I can see in the refugium and a ton in the other two chambers. The only thing I can think of is that these creatures don't like the light I have over the refugium. Are they some sort of tunicate??? They don't seem to move and if they do it's really slow because they seem to just sit there. They appear to be white jelly like things with a "feathered" opening or something on one end. I'm a bit concerned because they showed up so quickly and in such great numbers. Thanks in advance for any advice, help, opinions, or experiences with these.
Here are some pics.
This is a close-up of them in the return section by the pump

And here's a bunch of them on the wall of the sump to give an idea of how many I have.

DrHank · 05-31-2007, 07:29 PM

Jump for joy, they are pods. Great to have. Many reef fish love them. If you decide you don't want them just let me know and I'll pay the shipping. They eat micro algae.

nijunet · 05-31-2007, 07:33 PM

I think they are Q-tip sponges, good filter feeders

reefjitsu · 05-31-2007, 08:03 PM

They larger things are sponges, commonly called q-tip and pineapple sponges. The little coiled dot things are a type of duster worm of the grouping Spirorbidae. Both are harmless filter feeders most common in new setups. They often disappear as the tank matures, but not always.

vdituri · 05-31-2007, 08:35 PM

I concur with reefjitsu.
Wholeheartedly and without reservation (or compensation)
ahem...

prow · 05-31-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefjitsu

They larger things are sponges, commonly called q-tip and pineapple sponges. The little coiled dot things are a type of duster worm of the grouping Spirorbidae. Both are harmless filter feeders most common in new setups. They often disappear as the tank matures, but not always.

corrado007 · 05-31-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHank

Jump for joy, they are pods. Great to have. Many reef fish love them. If you decide you don't want them just let me know and I'll pay the shipping. They eat micro algae.

Forgive my inexperience with the jargon but by pods do you mean copepods? I thought these were copepods. Great, I have some mutant water fleas running loose in my tank too.

DrHank · 05-31-2007, 10:10 PM

They are. Didn't take a close enough look at your original pictures. Sorry! Your others are sponge. still good to have. Filter feeders. My bad. Guess I'll have to clean my glasses.

lcstorc · 05-31-2007, 10:19 PM

Are you guys sure on the sponges? I am awful at the id game but the things in the middle of the first pic have 2 somethings coming out of the front of them. I don't know what they are but they don't look like sponges to me.
Then again I stink at the ID game so I could be all wrong.

corrado007 · 05-31-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefjitsu

They larger things are sponges, commonly called q-tip and pineapple sponges. The little coiled dot things are a type of duster worm of the grouping Spirorbidae. Both are harmless filter feeders most common in new setups. They often disappear as the tank matures, but not always.

Hey reefjitsu, Thanks for the reply. I was wondering what coiled dots things you're looking at. I only see a bunch of those things that you identified as pineapple sponges. I have a bunch of dwarf feather dusters in my display tank but don't see any tube worms in the sump. Also, I don't know, is it likely that sponges would show up so quickly (over a few days) and in such great numbers? I'm not trying to be difficult, I just want to be as sure as possible about what has shown up in my tank. Thanks for your help.

Dentoid · 05-31-2007, 10:40 PM

I think the white coiled things Reefjitsu is describing as "duster worms" are actually bubbles on the acrylic face. Photographs are so deceiving!

reefjitsu · 05-31-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado007

Forgive my inexperience with the jargon but by pods do you mean copepods? I thought these were copepods. Great, I have some mutant water fleas running loose in my tank too.

There are all sorts of pods, but most commonly, pod refers to either copepods or amphipods. The creature in the pic is an amphipod.

You Can't Tell Your "Pods" Without A Program by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

I circled the some sponges in red and some of the worms in blue (sorry, the blue is barely visible). Yes, these can show up very quickly in a matter of days.

Quote:

Are you guys sure on the sponges? I am awful at the id game but the things in the middle of the first pic have 2 somethings coming out of the front of them. I don't know what they are but they don't look like sponges to me.

Yep, they are sponges, just odd looking ones.

Quote:

I think the white coiled things Reefjitsu is describing as "duster worms" are actually bubbles on the acrylic face

nope, they are worms. Figure 1 in the following link shows a picture of a larger species of this type of worm. Perhaps one of the most common of all hitchikers.
The Worms Crawl In… by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

corrado007 · 06-01-2007, 12:23 AM

Thanks guys and gals, I appreciate all the help I.D.ing these things. They really do look like little pineapples, I see where they get the name. reefjitsu, thanks for the clarification on what you were refering to. I can't even tell what those things circled in blue look like from the pics but they are gone now that I'm looking at the sump again. Perhaps they are some sort of worms or perhaps as dentoid suggested they were just bubbles, hard to tell. Also, icstorc mentioned two things coming off of them, that's what had initially made me think they were tunicates (prefer the dark & inlet and outlet holes). If anyone else has some other guess feel free to chime in but it looks as if these guys have been positively identified as q-tip/pineapple sponges.

kathywithbirds · 06-02-2007, 12:43 AM

Hey I just noticed these too! The worms circled in blue, i mean. They're on the rock.
Um, are they OK in the tank itself?

corrado007 · 06-02-2007, 12:55 AM

I'm sure others are much more qualified to answer but as far as I understand, just about any filter feeder such as tube worms are perfectly safe and in fact quite beneficial to your tank. Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong please.

05-31-2007, 07:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment	They're taking over! What are these creatures? I added some small chunks of LR to my refugium over the past week and now I have these white things all over my sump. They are on the overflow side of the sump where water enters it, in the return section around and on the pump, and in the refugium. There are just a few that I can see in the refugium and a ton in the other two chambers. The only thing I can think of is that these creatures don't like the light I have over the refugium. Are they some sort of tunicate??? They don't seem to move and if they do it's really slow because they seem to just sit there. They appear to be white jelly like things with a "feathered" opening or something on one end. I'm a bit concerned because they showed up so quickly and in such great numbers. Thanks in advance for any advice, help, opinions, or experiences with these. Here are some pics. This is a close-up of them in the return section by the pump And here's a bunch of them on the wall of the sump to give an idea of how many I have. __________________ Justin Be the person your dog thinks you are. 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 10k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Orchid Dottyback, Yellow Watchman Goby, paired O clowns, Hippo Tang, 2 Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Neon Goby, 1 Baby Chromis, a very small algae blenny, and a Zebra Dartfish. Note: These guys are all small to medium in size) updated 7/31/08 Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

05-31-2007, 07:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? Jump for joy, they are pods. Great to have. Many reef fish love them. If you decide you don't want them just let me know and I'll pay the shipping. They eat micro algae. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

05-31-2007, 07:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
nijunet Bryozoan Join Date: May 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 49 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? I think they are Q-tip sponges, good filter feeders

05-31-2007, 08:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
reefjitsu Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: The Magic City Posts: 751 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? They larger things are sponges, commonly called q-tip and pineapple sponges. The little coiled dot things are a type of duster worm of the grouping Spirorbidae. Both are harmless filter feeders most common in new setups. They often disappear as the tank matures, but not always. __________________ You can't give up hope just because it's hopeless. You got to keep on hoping and cover your ears and go "blah blah blah blah"- Futurama

05-31-2007, 08:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,784 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? I concur with reefjitsu. Wholeheartedly and without reservation (or compensation) ahem... __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

05-31-2007, 10:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,284 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? They are. Didn't take a close enough look at your original pictures. Sorry! Your others are sponge. still good to have. Filter feeders. My bad. Guess I'll have to clean my glasses. __________________ Doc Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html

05-31-2007, 10:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 21,928 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? Are you guys sure on the sponges? I am awful at the id game but the things in the middle of the first pic have 2 somethings coming out of the front of them. I don't know what they are but they don't look like sponges to me. Then again I stink at the ID game so I could be all wrong. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

05-31-2007, 10:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,827 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? I think the white coiled things Reefjitsu is describing as "duster worms" are actually bubbles on the acrylic face. Photographs are so deceiving! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

06-01-2007, 12:23 AM	#13 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? Thanks guys and gals, I appreciate all the help I.D.ing these things. They really do look like little pineapples, I see where they get the name. reefjitsu, thanks for the clarification on what you were refering to. I can't even tell what those things circled in blue look like from the pics but they are gone now that I'm looking at the sump again. Perhaps they are some sort of worms or perhaps as dentoid suggested they were just bubbles, hard to tell. Also, icstorc mentioned two things coming off of them, that's what had initially made me think they were tunicates (prefer the dark & inlet and outlet holes). If anyone else has some other guess feel free to chime in but it looks as if these guys have been positively identified as q-tip/pineapple sponges. __________________ Justin Be the person your dog thinks you are. 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 10k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Orchid Dottyback, Yellow Watchman Goby, paired O clowns, Hippo Tang, 2 Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Neon Goby, 1 Baby Chromis, a very small algae blenny, and a Zebra Dartfish. Note: These guys are all small to medium in size) updated 7/31/08 Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

06-02-2007, 12:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
kathywithbirds Social Darwinism victim Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Hood, NJ Posts: 5,847 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? Hey I just noticed these too! The worms circled in blue, i mean. They're on the rock. Um, are they OK in the tank itself? __________________ (\_/) (\__/) ( . .) (^.^) (")(") (> <) Bunny and Bunnina have worked things out. Bunny was mistaken after all, Bunnina was not having an affair. "Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials." ~Lin Yutang

06-02-2007, 12:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
corrado007 Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sacramento, Ca. Posts: 728 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: They're taking over! What are these creatures? I'm sure others are much more qualified to answer but as far as I understand, just about any filter feeder such as tube worms are perfectly safe and in fact quite beneficial to your tank. Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong please. __________________ Justin Be the person your dog thinks you are. 90gal mixed reef w/40gal sump/fuge, ATO, NW-200 Skimmer, 2x 250W 10k Reeflux MH & 220W VHO actinics, Koralia #4 & #3, Mag 9.5 return, Aquacontroller jr., LR & LS, and community fish (Yellow Assessor, Orchid Dottyback, Yellow Watchman Goby, paired O clowns, Hippo Tang, 2 Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse, Neon Goby, 1 Baby Chromis, a very small algae blenny, and a Zebra Dartfish. Note: These guys are all small to medium in size) updated 7/31/08 Here's my 90gal Chronicle (Lots of pictures and DIY)

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