What is it

[catmonaco]

So this is my first small saltwater tank-32g and having had experience with larger tanks I’m really surprised what this 32g requires, especially when you have a Mr constructive destructive pistol shrimp. However, if it weren’t for him dumping my mushrooms in the sand I would have never seen this black thing on one of my mushrooms. I don’t believe it’s a flat worm as it isn’t flat, but I’d swear the thing is growing before my very eyes. Any idea what this is and if it needs to be removed?

 

[AydenLincoln]

It’s very hard to make that out. Please post photos under white light.

 

[catmonaco]

It’s very hard to make that out. Please post photos under white light.

Ok I was afraid of that, they changed as soon as I started taking pics. Ok here are 2 new ones, note in photo #2 had begun receding when the blue lights came on .

 

[TnFishwater98]

Limpet?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Can you pull it off with tweezers?

 

[catmonaco]

Can you pull it off with tweezers?

I hadn’t tried, but am thinking of doing so tomorrow. Was going to do today, but my mind went into overdrive and envisioned this thing with huge teeth and spurting out all kind of babies or eggs. Actually. Although I had never seen anything like this on a mushroom i began wondering if it was a part of the mushroom.

 

[catmonaco]

Limpet?

I looked up the limpets and it doesn’t appear to be one.

 

[Alexopora]

Limpet?

My exact guess as well. OP you could try removing with with a forcep/tongs. If its really hard to remove than its most likely a limpet. Does it have a shell that is conical?

 

[catmonaco]

My exact guess as well. OP you could try removing with with a forcep/tongs. If its really hard to remove than its most likely a limpet. Does it have a shell that is conical?

It doesn’t look like it has a shell. It really looks like it is attached to the mushroom, underneath the shroom.

 

[Alexopora]

It doesn’t look like it has a shell. It really looks like it is attached to the mushroom, underneath the shroom.

If you say attached? Could it not be the mushrooms foot itself? Or it could be some kind of sponge.

 

[TnFishwater98]

My exact guess as well. OP you could try removing with with a forcep/tongs. If its really hard to remove than its most likely a limpet. Does it have a shell that is conical?

I’ve actually accidentally ripped the shell off a limpet trying pick up with tongs. It was sad and gross… you have to grab them wiggle them pull up.
Is it in the same place as last night? Has it moved? Maybe a chiton?

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[yanetterer]

Are you sure it is alive/moving? It almost looks like it could be a snail shell. Perhaps the ric had attached to that and the shell was glued onto a frag plug.

 

[Alexopora]

I’ve actually accidentally ripped the shell off a limpet trying pick up with tongs. It was sad and gross… you have to grab them wiggle them pull up.
Is it in the same place as last night? Has it moved? Maybe a chiton?

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Its more trying to see if its easy to remove and not forcefully yank it. Limpets are basically unremovable unless they are on the glass and you gotta be swift in using a credit card or thin plastic card to swipe them off. Thats the only way to not damage them.

 

[TnFishwater98]

I’ve tonged plenty, this guy just locked down. I should of given up but guess I pulled too hard. Felt bad. It immediately swelled up like a cooked lobster. It looked like it would grow a new shell but something in the tank could of got him.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Its more trying to see if its easy to remove and not forcefully yank it.

Exactly!

 

[Alexopora]

I’ve tonged plenty, this guy just locked down. I should of given up but guess I pulled too hard. Felt bad. It immediately swelled up like a cooked lobster. It looked like it would grow a new shell but something in the tank could of got him.

Yeah limpets are notoriously hard. You gotta surprise them real quick.