SaltyDoberman Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Hello, I bought this Hammer Coral yesterday and I would like to know if this 'thing' residing in one of the stalks is normal. I got it on video, it is not shy. Also, this popped up on my glass a few days ago. Is it an aiptasia? Link to comment
SaltyDoberman Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Yep, aiptasia. Thanks for the quick response Link to comment
jedimasterben Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 The thing on the hammer looks like some sort of feather duster maybe? Link to comment
ry05coupe Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Not normal but it's harmless. Some sort of filter feeder Link to comment
SaltyDoberman Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 It almost reminds me of a shrimp with its movements, it kind of sways back and forth when it retracts. I got a response on youtube that said it is how the coral finds things to eat in the water. I have never seen the sweeper tentacles but I had a totally different idea fashioned in my head about what they looked like and where they were located. No other stalk has this on it either. Link to comment
Atela Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 That other thing growing on your hammer is not part of the coral. It is some sort of filter feeder inhabitant that started growing on the hammer's stalk. Barnacle family? Link to comment
acropora1981 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 The critter on/in the hammer coral is a type of barnacle, IMO. Cirripedia. They are a highly modified type of crustacean. Link to comment
SaltyDoberman Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Oh wow, is it harmful where it is? Will I be able to find much discussion about the barnacle dude? It kind of creeps me out, ha. Link to comment
acropora1981 Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Oh wow, is it harmful where it is? Will I be able to find much discussion about the barnacle dude? It kind of creeps me out, ha. Its not likely to do much harm, they don't tend to reproduce very well in close aquaria due to filter feeding nature. I've never heard of anyone having an issue with them. Easy enough to kill it if you're worried; superglue in the hole. Done. I would leave it though, neat looking. Link to comment
Cintax Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Keep it! That thing is awesome. I'd do some research on its food requirements. Link to comment
SaltyDoberman Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Noted! He is a tad creepy....but interesting nonetheless, if he's friendly then I don't mind his free rent at all. I don't think I could bring myself to seal his fate with a super glue grave! Link to comment
mbonus Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Creepy? That is the most interesting thing I have seen in a while! Even more so than the hammer. Now try to keep it alive. Link to comment
nathanq.inc Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 It's some sort of barnacle for sure. Link to comment
mndfreeze Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Its funny how many people are amazed by barnacles! Hehe They are so cool. Link to comment
patback Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I would stay away from YouTube answers. It's just like yahoo answers, everybody is an "expert" for 15 years, but are actually only 12 years old. You'd get 25 110 percent correct answers that all contradict each other. Link to comment
yanniboy24 Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 I have one of these on my frogspawn coral as well. It doesn't seem to affect the coral or it's surroundings so I'm keeping the critter! Link to comment
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