White root like growth on rock work

[Brad Miller]

I have an unidentifiable root like growth on my rock work, below are 2 pics that I marked up with arrows pointing to this.

They are flexible when touched, and come back to the same position before I bend them.

Most are about 1/2 to 3/4” long with a few skinny ones about 1-1/2” long

They look like they can be pulled off the rock and don’t have anything coming out of them like a feather duster or tube worm Would.

From what I know about Spaghetti worms, they don’t appear to be that either...actually looks like tiny roots growing out of the rock.

Seems to be growing in areas that are shaded to partially shaded and not on the top of the rocks where the light is stronger.

I can’t find this in any of my books or the internet, any ideas on what it may be ?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hey Brad, good to see you

I see what you mean. Are they new, or just now noticing but could have been there a while?

i have the same thing but never really gave it much thought. I assumed it was some type of sponge maybe. Let see if anyone else knows.

 

[flsalty]

It's a type of sponge that grows in the shadier areas

 

[Brad Miller]

Hi Mastiff !
Ive had them for a while in my DT.
i started a reef vase for my grandson and boy are they noticeable on that rock...that’s what the pics are from.
Ive just exhausted myself trying to find out what it is....
I’m thinking they are a type of sponge like Salty said....looks just like the roots on a plant if you yank it out of the ground

 

[Katrina71]

+1 sponge. In my tank too.

 

[KJ]

Bryozoan.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Vermetid snails
Wait im wrong. Vermetid snails are hard to the touch

 

[Brad Miller]

Bryozoan.

KJ,
I looked at many Marine Bryozoan pics on google and see a ton that look nothing like what i saw.
Do you have a reference for me to look it up ?

If it Bryozoan, why can’t I ever see anything come out of it (like a feather duster) or any thing on the sides like I see in the pics I googled....or can Bryozoan be bare like the ones I have or maybe I’m just not seeing them at the right time.

 

[KJ]

If it Bryozoan, why can’t I ever see anything come out of it (like a feather duster)

Google hydroids.

 

[Phil D.]

I have them also, not an issue. They are type of sponge.

 

[KJ]

Do you have a reference for me to look it up ?

Google Search

www.google.com

 

[Reeferdude1888]

Hi don't no the name of them but I just rescaped the rock in my tank yesterday and on the underside of the live rock there is the exact same root and I have noticed it before when I do a rescape of the rock work ,but I don't think it's anything that will cause any problems but in my case it is on the underside of the rock work were there isn't much light.

 

[The1HunnT]

Hopefully this thread is still alive! I have the same thing—possibly—but want to make *certain* they are not some kind of fungus or the like that break down matter in shaded areas.
I recently had a “bloom” of these when I changed my light schedule from 9 hours a day to 5. Cleared all algae and cyano and corals are doing even better (to my surprise).

but I DO have these hair like roots blowing around on any rock surface that is not in direct LED contact. I’ve had it come and go before but there’s quite a bit and it can be brushed off rock and floats around then getting filtered.

if someone thinks these are sponges then phew for me! Thanks for your help!

btw my reef is a basic LPS/softie 75g that’s about 18-24 months old with no major catastrophes yet—though I’ve dealt with plenty of challenges (aptasia, cyano, etc.—fortunately with your help I have eventually emerged victorious.

appreciatively,

-CT-

 

[samnaz]

Bryzoans for sure.

 

[The1HunnT]

Thank you Samnaz. It seems no matter how many things you learn or memorize, the reef will eventually provide something new that you’ve never encountered.

much appreciated!