Botrylloides chain tunicate ?

[betareef]

Found some of these unusual things. My searching seems to indicate they are some type of Botrylloides chain tunicate. Beautiful (I think)

 

[BristleWormHater]

Annnnnnddd I'll be taking that...Thank you!

 

[betareef]

I got two different colours. They are great as they grab onto whatever is nearby - no glueing necessary.

 

[betareef]

btw. anyone know what that dark algae on the RH side of the picture is? I am hoping it might survive/grow in an aquarium.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I got two different colours. They are great as they grab onto whatever is nearby - no glueing necessary.

Are those barnacles???? What temperature do you keep your tank at? I love barnacles as strange as that may be lol, but it seems like they perish in reef temps.

 

[betareef]

Are those barnacles???? What temperature do you keep your tank at? I love barnacles as strange as that may be lol, but it seems like they perish in reef temps.

I keep my tank the same as local water (or a bit warmer (edit : that's about 25 to 27 celcius these days)). These barnacles and tunicates are from the same local water - so I am hopeful. The barnacles have been there a week, and are still feeding.

 

[BristleWormHater]

btw. anyone know what that dark algae on the RH side of the picture is? I am hoping it might survive/grow in an aquarium.

That looks like birdsnest gracillaria to me it appears red under reef lighting, I had some until my snails decimated it overnight. Literally went from a massive 6+ inch macro to two branches over night, mexican turbo was the culprit.

 

[betareef]

That looks like birdsnest gracillaria to me it appears red under reef lighting, I had some until my snails decimated it overnight. Literally went from a massive 6+ inch macro to two branches over night, mexican turbo was the culprit.

Thanks. The ocean can be a battleground. I have some algae eating snails, mostly nerites, that haven't eaten it yet.

 

[betareef]

Edited my post as I left out the actual temperature (25 to 27). There are even seahorse species that can live in warmer water - so here's hoping.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Thanks. The ocean can be a battleground. I have some algae eating snails, mostly nerites, that haven't eaten it yet.

Nerites are typically macro-safe they can graze on it occasionally but its really just less pruning on your part. The main cuc to avoid are urchins and Mexican turbos

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Beautiful tunicates - fair warning, though: colonial tunicates like this have a tendency to be highly invasive, including sometimes growing over live corals; I generally suggest isolating them somewhere where you can easily control their spread to avoid issues.

 

[betareef]

Beautiful tunicates - fair warning, though: colonial tunicates like this have a tendency to be highly invasive, including sometimes growing over live corals; I generally suggest isolating them somewhere where you can easily control their spread to avoid issues.

Yes, I read how they effect the marine industry by encroaching on boats and underwater structures. They are in the middle and attaching to a small rock and a shell - both easily remeable if they get to boisterous.