Really creepy mystery invert!

Abby · Jan 14, 2017

Has anyone seen anything like this before? It has multiple "mouths" (I'd normally be more inclined to call them valves, but the way they can close they really seem like mouths) that are lined in blue. And it was on a rock that was cut with a band saw. The organism was cut on part of its flesh and it appears to have a chambered structure. The actual tissue is a tough and leathery brown. It is completely stationary, it has zoas growing over parts of it. I had been handling the rock before photographing it, which is why it was closed in the first picture (also why the zoas are angry) and it had begun to reopen in the second picture. Please ignore the bubble algae, how embarrassing.

ebushrow · Jan 14, 2017

#reefsquad .... I have no idea but they can help

wattson · Jan 14, 2017

does it move or change appearance when it moves ?

Abby · Jan 14, 2017

wattson said:
does it move or change appearance when it moves ?

Only the mouths seem to be able to open or close for movement. The zoas are actually growing over it, so it definitely doesn't move at all. I don't think it's appearance changes at all but I haven't had much time to watch it yet-I just found it!

melypr1985 · Jan 14, 2017

umm.. tunicate? Creepy and weird is right! Not sure

erinmegan85 · Jan 14, 2017

If it doesn't move my guess is tunicate, which is a harmless filter feeder.

cloak · Jan 14, 2017

It looks like a Tunicate/Sea Squirt to me as well.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rs/index.php

http://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsesectiongroups.php?SectionID=36&filter=0

Roy 9121 · Jan 14, 2017

Almost looks like a Sea Apples ugly two headed cousin.

Abby · Jan 14, 2017

I agree about the sea apple statement!

Regarding a tunicate though, has anyone EVER seen a tunicate with a sphincter on its valve/mouth? I've only seen tunicates with sponge like valves, nothing as complex as this. The mouth of this critter is far more similar to a sea apple.