ID please

ReefQueen · Jan 27, 2018

It's been a while since I've seen something in my tanks that has me stumped, so I am excited to find out what this cool guy is. I found it because my lobo bailed a few weeks ago, it makes sense that this guy was irritating the lobo causing it to bail. I finally got around to pulling the skeleton (the lobo is still hanging in there btw) and saw a hole with something in it.

What I've gathered is it is reactive to light, looks almost like the texture of a clam mantle, and must be a filter feeder because there is a constant current coming from it. If we can't pin this ID down I'll add the video of the detritus moving in it's current. The only thing I can think of is it may be a tunicate, but I would love if someone can give me a definite positive ID.

KJ · Jan 27, 2018

Gall Crab.

ReefQueen · Jan 27, 2018

KJ said:
Gall Crab.

That was my first thought as well. But this look fleshy. I didn't touch it, but it looks and moves like it would feel soft and flexible if that makes sense.

ReefQueen · Jan 27, 2018

I poked it and it is definitely soft. Here's another pic of it out a little further.

cloak · Jan 27, 2018

Sea Squirt perhaps? Have you ever seen it open & close or does it always look like that?

ReefQueen · Jan 27, 2018

cloak said:
Sea Squirt perhaps? Have you ever seen it open & close or does it always look like that?

It will retract into it's hole if poked or light shines over it.

miyags · Jan 27, 2018

Looks like a stomatella snail.

ReefQueen · Jan 27, 2018

miyags said:
Looks like a stomatella snail.

Nah whatever this is is new to me, plus I believe it has been there for at least a year. See the hole on the right of the lobo? I believe that's where it had always been and I just never realized it until I went through old pics.

reef lover · Jan 27, 2018

I second sea squirt.

ReefQueen · Jan 27, 2018

reef lover said:
I second sea squirt.

Yeah that's all I can think it could be as well, I just can't find any pics online of any similar looking. We had to leave for a friend's birthday party so I threw it back in the tank. It appears sessile so if it happens to not be a tunicate I don't see it going anywhere for a few hours lol.