Tree?

[KQuillan]

I'm not sure where this post should have gone. I just saw this in the back corner of my tank. It's flat against the back and crawling up the corner.

What is it?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

See my post in the thread linked below:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-is-this-craziest-thing-i’ve-ever-seen.987447/#post-11411741

 

[Slocke]

I'm not sure where this post should have gone. I just saw this in the back corner of my tank. It's flat against the back and crawling up the corner.

What is it?

I know it isn't but it looks like an underwater slime mold.

 

[JGT]

A spaghetti worm if it moves, sponge if it doesn’t or something out of The Last of Us.

 

[Dan_P]

I'm not sure where this post should have gone. I just saw this in the back corner of my tank. It's flat against the back and crawling up the corner.

What is it?

Primitive looking but well organized. @taricha ?

 

[JGT]

Until it crawls into your mouth while you are sleeping and takes over your body. :)

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Looks like an underwater slime mold?

These things pop up on occasion (as shown in the link in my post) - it seems to be species in the taxonomic class, Labyrinthulea; I need to do more research, but it's either a Labyrinthulid or a Thraustochytrid species.

These were apparently originally thought to be either a slime mold or a fungi of some variety. They are typically either decomposers (harmless/beneficial) or seagrass/algae parasites (not typically harmful for reef tanks; may even be considered beneficial depending on the tank).

 

[JGT]

Interesting. So obviously no active movement. Can that thing keep growing and take over your tank if left unchecked?

 

[taricha]

Primitive looking but well organized. @taricha ?

This is a crazy colony of moving worm things, @ISpeakForTheSeas has the link to previous sightings of this weird stuff.

See my post in the thread linked below:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-is-this-craziest-thing-i’ve-ever-seen.987447/#post-11411741

 

[Slocke]

These things pop up on occasion (as shown in the link in my post) - it seems to be species in the taxonomic class, Labyrinthulea; I need to do more research, but it's either a Labyrinthulid or a Thraustochytrid species.

These were apparently originally thought to be either a slime mold or a fungi of some variety. They are typically either decomposers (harmless/beneficial) or seagrass/algae parasites (not typically harmful for reef tanks; may even be considered beneficial depending on the tank).

Very cool!
Glad I'm not alone to think that it looks like a slime mould. Functionally similar at least.