Backs Posted March 1, 2004 Posted March 1, 2004 I bought a Yellow Leather coral yesterday after having kept an eye on it in the dealers tank for a few weeks. Nice and healthy, full polyps extension etc etc. I placed it in my tank and within an hour it was looking stunning, with much better extension than when in the shop After the lights went out I noticed the polyps still extended so I decided to use a torch and have a good look. To my amazement I noticed 2 extremely fine "tenticles" zipping out from the coral to a length of about 5 inches. :*( These "tenticles" are as fine as hair, with what look like finer "hairs" hanging down like the teeth of a comb. They shoot out to there full length and slowly contract, then shoot out again. All the reading I have done on Leather corals suggest they are non aggressive etc..so what is it doing? Is there maybe a "nasty" coral hidden inside it? Someone, please help
mogurnda Posted March 1, 2004 Posted March 1, 2004 Sounds like it has a ctenophore living on it. They commonly occur on leathers, and send long tentacles out to snare food from the water column. Not harmful. I can post a pic if you're interested.
mogurnda Posted March 1, 2004 Posted March 1, 2004 Here's one from Ron Shimek's website. Here's a free-living ctenophore, showing the body and tentacles better
Backs Posted March 1, 2004 Author Posted March 1, 2004 That is EXACTLY what it looks like!! I am very impressed that someone actually knew what I was talking about! Thanks a million! I presume I just ignore it then?
mogurnda Posted March 1, 2004 Posted March 1, 2004 I presume I just ignore it then? Of cource not! Sit back and enjoy it:D
Backs Posted March 9, 2004 Author Posted March 9, 2004 Ok guys, wee update. The tenticles are actually coming directly from the "flesh" of the Leather Coral. I cannot see anything on the surface at all. The tenticles extend for about 8 inches and zip in and out. Its amazing to watch
mogurnda Posted March 9, 2004 Posted March 9, 2004 Hmmm. Burrowed into the leather? Turns out there's an article in this months RK magazine about these guys. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-03/rs/index.htm
TheEvilbbug Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 these are the same fleshy bits i have in my tank. there body is translucent and you can only detect them on uber light colored leathers, or when there tenticles are retracted. one of them is now on my powerhead, it fishes the water column with great precision. ,,, gotta go, my decorator crab is beating stuff up again. i'm going to tear that things arms off , i swear!
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