ID this interesting creature

[808jaymakoa]

 

[Mike J.]

It's a Discosoma (Actinodiscus). Never seen that variant before - following.

 

[808jaymakoa]

The white skirt goes up and down. Very interesting to watch. He's in the fuge for now but wondering if he can go in the display tank cause that skirt catches your eye when he's out.

 

[808jaymakoa]

Is a discosoma a mushroom. If so I don't think he is. He is some type of slug. When his skirt comes up you can see his slug like body and two tenticles

 

[Mike J.]

Your up late. My wife's out of town and I can't sleep. I can see the tentacles in the second picture. Is it mobile - does it move around?

 

[ingtar_shinowa]

following.

 

[808jaymakoa]

Yea haha late at night is the only time I can do tank maintenance. My wife's pregnant which I'm excited about but she has terrible morning sickness all day so I get to happily wait on her all day. Take care of my 2year old and work. But to answer your question he is mobile and moves pretty good.

 

[Mike J.]

Okay. I'm going to have to plead ignorant now. I'm a marine biologist and well versed on Gastropoda. I have never seen any kind of Gastropod like that. I'm thinking that a Discosoma has attached itself to a snail. How big around is it? Can you flip it over and take a picture of it's mouth parts or underside? I might have to admit defeat, but then I won't be able to sleep for weeks!

 

[808jaymakoa]

Okay this is what I can tell you about it. Tank is about two months old. During cycle I added these two pieces of Florida rock to my fuge. Only hitch hikers I saw on it for a month were brittle stars and some pods. Then two weeks ago I saw him briefly but was gone in a flash. Hidden somewhere under the two rocks. Tonight I saw him and immediately took these pics. His skirt opens fully then closes like the last pic that I included then opens again. He has since disappeared again. When I see him again I'll flip him over and get some pictures.

 

[808jaymakoa]

He is a little bit bigger than a quarter

 

[Mike J.]

Well, that actually helps. I was going to say at first that it was an Atlantic Discosoma, but they are "very uncommon and prized for their rarity and unique appearance. A common name for it would be Umbrella Corallimorph. Now, to determine what kind of snail is carrying it around. It would also explain why it is white - because the snail is keeping it out of the light.

 

[808jaymakoa]

So your thinking its a snail carrying around a mushroom and that the mushroom is an Atlantic discosoma?

 

[Mike J.]

Yes, I'm like 99% sure. I can go to sleep now.

 

[808jaymakoa]

Hmm interesting. Thanks mike. How rare is the Atlantic discosoma. Haha I'll start the bidding if it's worth some money. And I'll include the snail with purchase free of charge.

 

[Mike J.]

It is a prized possession since it is illegal to harvest. I'd detach it from the snail, put it in low light, medium flow; and wait for it to make many more and you'll have something that you can easily trade.

 

[808jaymakoa]

Now you got me wanting to start searching for this guy. How would you detach him safely as to not hurt him? Thanks by the way mike. I've got a good laugh for the night with this guy.

 

[808jaymakoa]

If I can get it to multiply I'll send one over to you for the help to.

 

[Mike J.]

It's not difficult. Scrape it off the snail with something sharp. Then pin it between two pieces of rock or rubberband it so it doesn't move for a week or two and it will attach on it's own.

 

[Mike J.]

The Atlantic Discosoma Actinodiscus is pretty rare in aquaria. I can't even find a picture of an Atlantic one, but here is an Indonesian one. So you're in for another surprise once it gets it's color back.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/10/inverts_album/Discosoma_bluestripe.jpg/image_preview

 

[808jaymakoa]

Well the first one that multiplies is coming to you my friend. I appreciate all the help. I'm curious what color it will be.