What IS this

Anihiel1 · Dec 7, 2019

I have a sea urchin in my tank, is it at all possible that spike is actually a spikette..? I suddenly see what appears to be dozens of miniscule sea urchins. If not, anyone know what the heck are these things?? Apologies for the poor photos, they are almost microscopic, but hopefully someone can recognize them and provide insight....

Gareth elliott · Dec 7, 2019

If can try to collect one. Are they soft? They look almost like aptasia or perhaps some type of hydroid.

Auquanut · Dec 7, 2019

^^That's what I thought. Maybe medusa hydroids. Common in newer tanks and tend to disappear over time.

Anihiel1 · Dec 7, 2019

I had never heard of hydroid but after googling, yes that's exactly what they look like. What do you recommend..?

DSC reef · Dec 7, 2019

Medusa hydroid, typical in new tanks and will go away on their own.

Auquanut · Dec 7, 2019

DSC reef said:
Medusa hydroid, typical in new tanks and will go away on their own.

^^ Yep. That.

Anihiel1 · Dec 7, 2019

Well... On the bright side, my ecosystem can support life... *sigh*

Auquanut · Dec 7, 2019

Anihiel1 said:
Well... On the bright side, my ecosystem can support life... *sigh*

Look at it this way: You can enjoy your starry tank while it lasts. I think they're kind of purdy.

Anihiel1 · Dec 8, 2019

They are very pretty! Maybe they'll stick around, apparently they have been there for months living in the sand bed. They must have come in originally on some live rock I bought from the lfs, maybe May or June this year. Discovered back then that it harbored beneficial bristleworms. Didn't think anything of it as my (very happy) horseshoe crab was eating them. Stirred up the sand yesterday, today I noticed these appeared along with copepods and baby bristleworms. Guess there was more than worms in the rock LOL. Life is amazing...