Is this some kind of coral?

[Campfiregirl]

We got some live rock shipped to us about a month ago. We spotted these interesting little dudes over the weekend. Anyone have a clue as to what they are?

 

[king aiptasia]

they might be chitons, do they move around at all?

 

[king aiptasia]

they often move very slow so motion is measured over hours

 

[vetteguy53081]

Chitons also were my first thought. Very hard to see thru ripple current. Can OP take another pic or two with pumps off?

 

[Campfiregirl]

Chitons also were my first thought. Very hard to see thru ripple current. Can OP take another pic or two with pumps off?

 

[Darren in Tacoma]

I don't know what they are, but that is some pretty good lookin' rock ya have there.
I looked at pictures of chitons but i didn't see any that looked like that.

 

[elysics]

Colonial tunicate. Some Botryllus sp. maybe or something else closely related. The openings arranged in an oval shape are quite distinct

Nice filter feeder, might starve without food though

 

[vetteguy53081]

Colonial tunicates for sure (why the importance f clearer photos-well done). These are filter feeders and of no harm UNLESS they invade other coral in the tank. They are also known as sea squirts and often times they have very specific nutritional requirements that are not well documented depending on type. Many tunicates are misidentified as sponges. I hope these continue to do well in your system because these tunicates look amazing.

 

[king aiptasia]

Colonial tunicate. Some Botryllus sp. maybe or something else closely related. The openings arranged in an oval shape are quite distinct

Nice filter feeder, might starve without food though

this is it

 

[king aiptasia]

Colonial tunicates for sure (why the importance f clearer photos-well done). These are filter feeders and of no harm UNLESS they invade other coral in the tank. They are also known as sea squirts and often times they have very specific nutritional requirements that are not well documented depending on type. Many tunicates are misidentified as sponges. I hope these continue to do well in your system because these tunicates look amazing.

tunicates are one of the only organisms commonly having a nutritional need for vanadium

 

[vetteguy53081]

tunicates are one of the only organisms commonly having a nutritional need for vanadium

And consume iodine at high rates

 

[king aiptasia]

And consume iodine at high rates

I did not know that, I'll have to read up on it

 

[Campfiregirl]

Thanks everyone, it sure is going to be fun to watch these grow!

 

[king aiptasia]

Thanks everyone, it sure is going to be fun to watch these grow!

keep us posted

 

[Campfiregirl]

keep us posted

Will do!

 

[Campfiregirl]

Update: Our tank has recently hit it's "ugly" phase. DKH dropped pretty fast, and we are having fun trying to figure out just how much to dose. Yay us!!! Sadly, these little dudes are no longer around for us to enjoy. Sorry for the late update!

 

[shred5]

Update: Our tank has recently hit it's "ugly" phase. DKH dropped pretty fast, and we are having fun trying to figure out just how much to dose. Yay us!!! Sadly, these little dudes are no longer around for us to enjoy. Sorry for the late update!

They are really hard to keep in a reef tank so do not feel bad.
They usually just disappear after a while.

 

[Campfiregirl]

They are really hard to keep in a reef tank so do not feel bad.
They usually just disappear after a while.

We kept them for a couple of months, then boom....GONE.. It's all good though. I get more bummed when I lose fish or snails.