Help ID! Spondylus Americanus infestation?? Maybe.

[WyoMt.Chef]

Hello all, I have an "outbreak" of sorts. They haven't posed any issues so far and have been growing in numbers steadily for the past 4 months. They are definitely some sort of spondylus, I'm thinking Americanus. Any other experiences out there with these? Do they pose a threat? They will cement themselves to any rock surface. It was odd I didn't see them in my tank until around the 11 month. They spawned prolifically though and I can count around 30 all around 1/4 inch with a couple around 3/4 inch. Any help is appreciated

 

[KrisReef]

Very nice! (This could be a KPAquatics infomercial)
Oyster farmers buy attached larvae (“Spat?” If I remember correctly?) that they put in their grow out farms. I suspect that your live rock had these oysters settled already when you got it?
Either way this is a good hitchhiker as they should help filter the water and keep your tank crystal clear.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Most bivalves are considered "Expert Only" because of their diet, so the fact that they've apparently been growing out well in your tank is really cool. Like was stated above, they shouldn't cause any problems (they're filter feeders like sponges), and in fact many people intentionally buy Spondylus "thorny oysters" (they're actually more closely related to scallops) for their tanks on purpose.

Awesome find!

 

[WyoMt.Chef]

Very nice! (This could be a KPAquatics infomercial)
Oyster farmers by attached larvae (“Spat?” If I remember correctly?) that they put in their grow out farms. I suspect that your live rock had these oysters settled already when you got it?
Either way this is a good hitchhiker as they should help filter the water and keep your tank crystal clear.

That is on scary on point haha. I did seed 10 lbs of kp aquatics rock. Thank you much for the reply. They do look cool. I appreciate the help and am glad this isnt something that's going to negatively effect the tank. Especially since they're everywhere now. Would be a real pain if they weren't friends haha.

 

[WyoMt.Chef]

If they continue to grow they look cool. Spiny red and white shells with a white leopard print mantle. They're is a couple white and brown scallops in there as well.

 

[KrisReef]

Yup, if I tried it I would expect to get thriving pests and Zero “good guys.”

 

[WyoMt.Chef]

Yup, if I tried it I would expect to get thriving pests and Zero “good guys.”

It had everything on it. I know they say the keys don't have aiptasia but it was there when I only had clowns and the live rock. F aiptasia worked and they've been no show for a while. It's the little xanthid population that was nuts. I have taken out around 10 even after hyper dipping it. Unreal how much stuff was on 10lbs. I still have 3-4 snails/ conchs that I really have no idea what are haha.

 

[WyoMt.Chef]

Most were probably seeded on the live rock but there are around 6 on the"dead rock" that I filled in with. It's a 35 gallon display with 10lb live and 25 dry just hit the 15 month mark woot woot.