Possible eggs on new aquacultured rock?

[BContos]

I have nothing in the tank yet so not sure what it could be? The rocks came from FL Keys if that’s of any relevance. I’ve had them almost a week now.

 

[MnFish1]

What would be helpful is if you could put an arrow on the picture - what you're wondering about. I assume you're talking about the area to the left of the yellow sponge? It will be interesting to see what comes of it

 

[vetteguy53081]

Those are tunicates also called sea squirts . Typical harmless filter feeders unless they increase in size then you have a decision to make. Injecting them with vinegar will put an end to them

 

[vetteguy53081]

Regarding yellow sponge- this and black sponge are evasive, toxic and undesirable

 

[BContos]

What would be helpful is if you could put an arrow on the picture - what you're wondering about. I assume you're talking about the area to the left of the yellow sponge? It will be interesting to see what comes of it

Haha sorry! I will make sure to do an arrow. I forget everyone else doesn’t sit in front of my tank for hours looking for any new little thing

 

[BContos]

Regarding yellow sponge- this and black sponge are evasive, toxic and undesirable

It’s a sponge? I assumed it was an algae! Will my CUC get it? I am picking them out this weekend. There are several different things that look like that on the rocks!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looking at something different. Red stuff is wire algae and not easiest to remove. Generally you have to pull by hand and utilize either ninja starfish or pin cushion urchin

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I have nothing in the tank yet so not sure what it could be? The rocks came from FL Keys if that’s of any relevance. I’ve had them almost a week now.

Do the "Eggs" look like this? If so, they are colonial tunicates and common to S. Florida waters. They are pretty cool and do not grow at a rapid rate. Ignore the larger orange tunicates.

For the other stuff, like the yellow sponge, it will more than likely end up dying. I take it this is rock from KP or similar? If so, this variety of sponge needs tons of silicates to spread/grow and is not like the typical sponge most hobbyists run across that are invasive and smother corals. I have tried like heck to keep sponges alive like that and have even dosed silicates to do so on the stuff that comes on KP rock, but it always just withers away.

The red sponge on the rock, is about the same as above.

The red wire algae on the rock is also a slow grower and typically is consumed by almost any clean up crew you put in the tank. Almost all hermits eat the fire out of it, urchins devour it and most snails will eat it, when it is short.

The smaller pink sponge is cool addition and does not grow very fast. They are very hardy and it should make a nice addition to the tank.

IMO, I say let it ride out, as you paid for rock filled with life and this rock has it. Bacterial life is not the only thing on live rocks like this that are good for your ecosystem.

 

[BContos]

Thanks guys!

I just found what appears to be a very very tiny gorilla crab

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Thanks guys!

I just found what appears to be a very very tiny gorilla crab

Now that needs to go to the sump or trash if you plan to have fish lol.

Also, gonna tag @LRT as he got some FL rock a bit ago and can share his experience with it, and how the life on it is doing now.

 

[LRT]

Don't get me started on how much I love my gulf rock
Throw the little gorilla crab in sump if you have one they make quick work of run away food that ends up down there as well as build character.

 

[Sump Crab]

Nice rock! I used keys rocks in my build. Check it out.

 

[BContos]

Don't get me started on how much I love my gulf rock
Throw the little gorilla crab in sump if you have one they make quick work of run away food that ends up down there as well as build character.

I have a sump but not sure how to catch the little booger. He’s about the size of my thumb nail or smaller. Lightening fast! Before I could snap a picture he was gone!

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I have a sump but not sure how to catch the little booger. He’s about the size of my thumb nail or smaller. Lightening fast! Before I could snap a picture he was gone!

Piece of shrimp and a bottle with the end cut off and inverted. Couple small dabs of superglue to hold it together. Put shrimp inside and set it near the hole. It will go inside and cant get back out.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Piece of shrimp and a bottle with the end cut off and inverted. Couple small dabs of superglue to hold it together. Put shrimp inside and set it near the hole. It will go inside and cant get back out.

Or if rock is easy to remove, put a bit of plain ole club soda in hole. It will come running out, but that will not hurt it or the rock.

 

[BContos]

Or if rock is easy to remove, put a bit of plain ole club soda in hole. It will come running out, but that will not hurt it or the rock.

Great ideas thank you!