What is this thing?!

[DisneyMatt10]

Hey all, just wanting some help IDing this random. . . Blob(?) That has shown up on my live rock. Is the best photo I could get, the thing is tiny. . . like smaller than dime size tiny.

Any advice on what it is, and if it's good, or bad for the tank would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
~Matt

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It's a stomatella snail. He's awesome.

 

[Untamedrose]

stomatella literally the best cleaning crew you can't buy anywhere. Keeper!

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Yay!!! I have two on my live rock!! Glad to know they are good for the tank!!

Although, I'm not sure how they got in the tank. . . They just... showed up!
~Matt

 

[Untamedrose]

Yay!!! I have two on my live rock!! Glad to know they are good for the tank!!

Although, I'm not sure how they got in the tank. . . They just... showed up!
~Matt

Most likely you bought live rock...they hitchhiked. Best and worst think about reek keeping....you can never be 100% sure whats in your tank

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Yeah, sadly. . . I ended up getting bristleworms as well. . . Still not sure what to do about them. Are they good? Bad? Or are they just plain ugly, and make no difference!?
~Matt

 

[Lionfish Lair]

They are fine. They are in most everyone's tank and 99.9999% are beneficial.

 

[Untamedrose]

Yeah, sadly. . . I ended up getting bristleworms as well. . . Still not sure what to do about them. Are they good? Bad? Or are they just plain ugly, and make no difference!?
~Matt

Oh your fine bristleworms arnt an issue. Think of them like earth worms....they eat the dead stuffs. Forest floor or reef both habits needs something to eat the dead stuffs.
If your tank has thousands...somethings messed up. but it's not the bristleworms Causing it they are reacting to it.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm excited for the snails, and I'll just learn to over look how deeply ugly bristleworms are!! If they're good for the tank, then they are okay by me!!!

While I have everyones help IDing things. Can anyone provide some insight on what this red stuff is??



Thanks again!!
~Matt

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It's cyano bacteria. One of the planets oldest citizens. New tank? It'll pass. Welcome to the ugly phase.

 

[mcarroll]

I think they're quite beautiful in their own way....just don't try to pet em!

More typical:

This is not a common bristleworm, but a Bobbit Worm, which is an ambush predator. Not a detritavore like a common bristleworm:

More than you want to know:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/

Link summary: Most worms are great for your tank...and the ones that aren't great for the tank are on the obvious side.

 

[Clownaround]

This website has become very helpful for me with hitchhikers and their impact on your aquarium:
http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker.shtml

 

[Elementalj]

Just shared this on another thread. Bobbit worms are not inherently evil, but this guy however might be.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Hey all!! Thanks for all the informative responses!! They've been very helpful!!

I know this isn't a "critter" question. But I figured since I already started this thread I'd ask here. . . . Can anyone help me ID this random gold stuff thats been showing up all over my tank the past few days??

No idea what it is, or how to deal with it. . . But it's everywhere. :-/

Help please!! Thanks,
~Matt

 

[DeniseAndy]

Diatoms. Running through your phases of algae. Should not be a problem. It will get uglier then hopefully go away. They are in mature reefs too.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Would a clean-up crew help?? If so what things should I look at adding??

 

[Elementalj]

How about a water change with good quality water. They'll go as soon as their nutrient supply is gone.

 

[DisneyMatt10]

I can do that!! Tomorrow is water change day anyway!!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I've always let diatoms do their thing. They've always gone in time. Is your tank rather new?

 

[DisneyMatt10]

Yes, my tank is brand new. It's going through its cycling phase right now. But the diatoms just seem to be getting worse.