Are these eggs?

[StaceyS]

Hello! I’m new here and to saltwater aquariums. I’ve got something on my torch coral that looks like eggs. Does anyone know what these are?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Tahoe61]

Looks like it might be Mesenterial Filaments.

Is the coral other wise healthy?
How long have you had the coral?
Do any changes to the tank lately?

Welcome to R2R.

 

[StaceyS]

A ha! Something new to learn about!
This torch has been in this tank since about February. A few weeks after putting it in, the tentacles started taking on weird shapes, which you can see better here:

One side is stunted-looking (right) and the other has bulbous, oddly-shaped tentacles.
This should probably be under a different topic now... I’m very concerned about the health of this coral.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Mesenterial filaments are a defense mechanism sometimes. Any chance another coral is too close and is stinging it?
Edit: welcome!!

 

[El_Guapo13]

Welcome to R2R!!

It does seem like one side is being aggrevated by something.

Still, if it is due to coral warfare then it must be a much more aggressive coral with a much more powerful sting to be beating a torch into submission. Torches are known for being aggressive stingers, so I am surprised that it would be the one getting attacked as opposed to being the one doing the attacking.

Anything else you noticed in the area? Like any vermited snails, or a fish nipping at it?

 

[StaceyS]

Here’s a shot with its neighbors. We do have a vermetid snail problem on the live rock next to it. Looks like Pinhead from Hellraiser on one side eww. I’d like to replace it, but a few of our finned friends like it so much! Our flasher wrasse Has dug out a cave and sleeps under it.

The mushroom grew on that plug/shell combo after the original one detached. The green star polyp was a hitchhiker bonus with the mushroom.

 

[Chris Spaulding]

I see a Hollywood STINGER aka Stunner close buy. believe it or not at night those guys can put out very long sweepers and due damage

 

[El_Guapo13]

I see a Hollywood STINGER aka Stunner close buy. believe it or not at night those guys can put out very long sweepers and due damage

I was about to point that out. First thing I noticed when I saw that pic.

 

[fishface NJ]

Chalice Coral can produce sweeper tentacles

 

[TriggerFinger]

Same as the others...move it farther from the chalice and see if it helps at all.

 

[StaceyS]

Thanks everyone! We'll see how it does further away from that Stinger! I've seen tentacles from the chalice, but never long enough to touch anything. I love learning all of this new info!