Hitchiker Bivalve?

[jacrispy516]

Can anyone identify this hitchiker under my Caulastrea? I didn't realize it was alive for an entire month haha. I'm guessing a mussel? Also, excuse the algae I didn't notice until I took the pics.

Edit oops missed the v in bivalve.

 

[WheatToast]

Can anyone identify this hitchiker under my Caulastrea? I didn't realize it was alive for an entire month haha. I'm guessing a mussel? Also, excuse the algae I didn't notice until I took the pics.

This is probably one of the many flattened species of oyster. In any case, it is a harmless filter-feeder.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I have one too, that just appeared in this little 10-gallon tank about 3 years ago. It was odd, because this tank was started with dry rock and although it likely hitchhiked , it didn't grow from a frag plug.

I noticed it when it was little more that 1/4in across - not is about 2.5 inches across and and some color on its shell

I don't know for sure what it is. other than some sort of bivalve

its sits front and center in the tank, so it's kind of cool looking

 

[jacrispy516]

I have one too, that just appeared in this little 10-gallon tank about 3 years ago. It was odd, because this tank was started with dry rock and although it likely hitchhiked , it didn't grow from a frag plug.

I noticed it when it was little more that 1/4in across - not is about 2.5 inches across and and some color on its shell

I don't know for sure what it is. other than some sort of bivalve

its sits front and center in the tank, so it's kind of cool looking

Yup, that looks just like the one in mine. I wonder if they'll survive in our tanks. I've heard most non-photosynthetic bivalves don't make it in aquariums

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Yup, that looks just like the one in mine. I wonder if they'll survive in our tanks. I've heard most non-photosynthetic bivalves don't make it in aquariums

I dunno - but this one started as a tiny little nub, and has bene happy growing for at least a few years in this tank.



The tank just has a few clowns, some soft coral and over abundance of Majano Anemone that took over the tank a while ago - LOL

I'm slowly beating them back with some GSP

edit: that glass needs some cleaning

 

[WheatToast]

Yup, that looks just like the one in mine. I wonder if they'll survive in our tanks. I've heard most non-photosynthetic bivalves don't make it in aquariums

Hitchhiker bivalves tend to be much more resilient than their non-hitchhiker counterparts and can survive and even grow in captivity without special care.
You could also help them along with phytoplankton supplements in the 2-20 micrometer particle size range.

 

[Lavey29]

I started with one hitchhiker and now have about 6 in my tank for several years. They are 1 to 2 inches across and grow in my zoa patch