...Sponge?

[Anihiel1]

Any idea what this is... Residing on a toadstool algae in the mantis tank.

 

[samnaz]

Tunicates if stationary. Nudibranch if mobile.

 

[TriggerFinger]

^What she said

 

[Anihiel1]

Probably stationary, haven't SEEN it move...?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Tunicates if stationary. Nudibranch if mobile.

Agree, looks like a cluster of tunicates

 

[TriggerFinger]

The tunicates I have look different but react to light and shadows. Do you notice it kinda closing the little cups along the sides if you shine a light on it?

 

[Anihiel1]

Thank you everyone!

 

[Anihiel1]

The tunicates I have look different but react to light and shadows. Do you notice it kinda closing the little cups along the sides if you shine a light on it?

I honestly can't see any retraction but it is so small for my aging eyes LOL. If there's no movement could it be deceased? It still appears purple as though alive

 

[TriggerFinger]

They might not all retract...doesn’t mean it’s dead. It won’t hurt anything even if it was. My aging eyes need new glasses SO bad. I can not wait for my eye dr to reopen!!

 

[Anihiel1]

Another question- is there a danger the mantis will eat it...? He arrived with some live rock (and immediately was relocated to his own small tank) 2 weeks ago. I have only just today succeeded in feeding him a frozen shrimp. (He usually throws the food back at me). Have to assume the poor thing is hungry. But they might be in worse danger of being eaten in the main tank.?

 

[shadesatsetbreak]

Definitely tunicates. It will grow larger. Your mantis probably won't eat it.

 

[Anihiel1]

I've found SO many interesting life forms from this live rock. Can't wait to see what survives / grows a year from now. Just fascinating.