Torch Friend or Fiend?

[JKenny]

Hello, bought a Torch from my LFS this past weekend. Dipped it in CoralRX I saw lots of critters wiggled off it after about 5 minutes - left it in for 10. Anyway, it was already on a fairly large calcified base so I glued it onto my own piece of rock and put him in my tank. Tonight, I realized that what I thought was just a piece of the calcified rock was OPENED! If I shine a light on it, it closes after about 10 seconds...

It's been a long time since I had my last reef tank so I'm looking for some help... I'm assuming this is some type of clam - but what do I know.
Thanks for your thoughts in advance.
Joe

 

[El_Guapo13]

I mean, to me it looks like two halves of a shell like I would expect to see from a clam or similar type of mollusk. Let's get some experts in here #reefsquad

 

[DSC reef]

It's a hitchhiker bivalve, harmless.

 

[JKenny]

Thank you both... I was very surprised to see it close up because I was certain it was just part of the rock.

Appreciate it...

 

[rkpetersen]

They're interesting but often don't survive long due to starvation.

 

[sfin52]

Broad cast feeding helps. Mine have been in my tank for over a year still going strong.

Welcome to reef2reef.

 

[JKenny]

I've been feeding the fish the Neptune "CD" (Crossover Diet) pellets and the label reads that it also feeds the corals... Might that be good enough for the bivalve? Would it be good for my Torch, Hammer and Frogspawn - or should I be target feeding them somehow?

Again, thanks for the help.

Joe

 

[DSC reef]

For a non photosynthetic bivalve you would need small particle foods like phytoplankton

 

[Fishy212]

For a non photosynthetic bivalve you would need small particle foods like phytoplankton

+1 food for filter feeders. glad you have some good critters. I have 3 feather dusters on my torch

 

[Malifry97]

If you really wanna keep the bivalve, and give your corals a boost (mine love the this). you can buy frozen phyto cubes, thaw them, then in one of those ketchup bottles or similar container, broadcast feed the tank. EVERYTHING in your tank will eat the phyto.

 

[JKenny]

Thank you all... Malifry97, that's exactly what I'll do, appreciate it.

 

[Is this the LFS]

Maybe a muscle. I don’t know how it would be in the middle of the torch and the torch is just okay with it but maybe I’m wrong

 

[Malifry97]

Thank you all... Malifry97, that's exactly what I'll do, appreciate it.

NICE! Happy to help!

 

[JKenny]

A new question I'm afraid. Seems this Torch has a few friends along for the ride...

In watching my Torch, I've noticed that there are "tubes" raising above the Torch polyps. Last night, I saw some of these tubes closing up when I put the pen light on them! They are alive!

Can anyone share what they think is happening?

Thanks,

 

[Thaxxx]

Mini feather duster tubes. I think.
Harmless

 

[DSC reef]

I'd say sponge or tunicate, all harmless

 

[JKenny]

Thank you Thaxxx and DSC Reef. Just did a quick lookup on tunicates and that is what I think I have... Seems the LFS undercharged me for the Torch due to all of the "extras" that came along with it. I do love this hobby!

 

[Malifry97]

Yeah either featherdusters or sponges or tunicates and MAN! that torch is loaded with hitchhikers!