Identification help please

[JackDE]

Hello, what are these brown things growing on my rocks? They look like mini barnacles

 

[JackDE]

Closer picture

 

[cloak]

They look like Vermetid snails IMO. Have you ever seen anything come out of them before?

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

 

[drewquan]

Kinda look like flat worms. The picture makes it hard to tell. Are they really flat and a rusty red color? Can they be blown off the rock with a good blast from a turkey baster? Or are they firmly attached?

 

[JackDE]

They're firmly attached. Were slightly visible when I first got the rocks and are super visible now. But this rock was dry for 3 years so do you think they're alive?

 

[JackDE]

Tank has only been setup for a few months haven't seen anything coming from them but they're becoming more noticeable as my rock is coming alive.

 

[drewquan]

You saying that those rusty colored spots were on the rocks when the rocks were dry and out of the water for 3 years. If so I doubt that is anything living. At least I am not aware of any critter/pest could live out of water for 3 years .

You got me.

 

[drewquan]

Maybe some organic left overs from a previous life is just changing color faster than the rock now it is back in the water. How did you clean the rock before putting it back in the tank.

 

[JackDE]

Got the rock from Craigslist, guy said it had been dry for 3 years. But there was slight purple/pink coloring on it. Do vermetid snails have shells? That they leave a hard hollow shell behind?

 

[JackDE]

Maybe some organic left overs from a previous life is just changing color faster than the rock now it is back in the water. How did you clean the rock before putting it back in the tank.

I didn't clean it. :(

 

[drewquan]

I can not say as I am no expert on all the weird stuff that it could. Maybe someone else can help.

 

[drewquan]

I would say be careful about what you add to your tank from unknown sources. At least get in a habit of being critical of what and where your live stock comes from. Even live rock. I am by no means suggesting someone sold you bogus rock.

 

[reef_junkie]

Vermitid snails have a small curled shell that is permanently attached to rock or glass. Did you seed the tank with anything? I started my tank with dry everything ( acid washed) but seeded for pods, with that came barnacles and sponge.

 

[JackDE]

Vermitid snails have a small curled shell that is permanently attached to rock or glass. Did you seed the tank with anything? I started my tank with dry everything ( acid washed) but seeded for pods, with that came barnacles and sponge.

No I didn't seed with anything. These pods looking things were on the rocks when I got them. I started with 70lb dry rock and 60lb dry sand. Things have been coming alive on their own.

 

[reef_junkie]

What about frags, have you added coral at all? Rock left to dry for 3 years should be void of all life. I don't know if eggs or spores can survive that. Maybe someone with that specific knowledge can weigh in.

 

[JackDE]

What about frags, have you added coral at all? Rock left to dry for 3 years should be void of all life. I don't know if eggs or spores can survive that. Maybe someone with that specific knowledge can weigh in.

No coral yet. I thought rock that old would certainly be dead also. I don't think these things look alive just more prominent looking than before. I would see them doing something if they were alive right?

 

[reef_junkie]

If they're vermitid snails you'll see the fan tube.

 

[JackDE]

Ok, I think i'm fine. If I see any sign of life i'll pull those rocks out. Thanks!

 

[cloak]

They may not be alive, but you can clearly see the Vermetid snail shells in the picture IMO. Just as an example, on the far left about the middle of the picture you can see a shell with a twist. Now that you know what your looking for, there all over the rock.

 

[JackDE]

They may not be alive, but you can clearly see the Vermetid snail shells in the picture IMO. Just as an example, on the far left about the middle of the picture you can see a shell with a twist. Now that you know what your looking for, there all over the rock.

Does having just the shells hurt anything?