What the heck is this?

[JasonPG]

For several weeks I've noticed some sort of macro algae stalk growing on an astrea snail in my girlfriend's tank. Today, it blossomed into what could only be described as a central disk. It also appears to have some nearly invisible polyps that it might be feeding with. Is it a worm? An algae? I'm stumped!

 

[kschweer]

I'm not too sure what it is but it's pretty cool if you ask me.

 

[JasonPG]

A buddy linked me this:

Acetabularia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[kschweer]

I think your friend is right. Looks like you might want to get rid of it. From the diagram on wiki it looks like it drops cysts to spread. Not sure how fast it will spread but it may be tough to eradicate if it does end up spreading.

 

[larangcon]

It's Purdy, but can be a pain in the U know what, the problem is how to get rid of it without multiplying. I assume you don't have any tangs in your tank.

 

[mike007]

Thats feaking weird might what to get rid of snail and that thing. Pretty cool though.

 

[ritter6788]

Mermaid's Wine Glass.

 

[Squishie89]

Absolutely wonderful photography! Seems that snail is doomed to be covered in algae.