temple scratcher! [Archive] - Saltwater Aquariums

phistio

01-09-2003, 02:23 PM

i have these guys all over in my tank...i believe they're a type of squirt...anyone know?

matrixnyc

01-09-2003, 02:52 PM

I think what you have in your tank are some form of sponge :)

I have them in my Refugium in my nano.

Here, is a photo i found that might help you:

http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/img/faq_sponge.jpg

Leucilla sp. sponge - Photo by Qarin Van Brink

Todd Nicholson

01-09-2003, 08:49 PM

I have these in my reef as well - and was wondering what they were. I figured that they were a sea squirt or a sponge. I have actually seen them reproduce or "something" by releasing a white goo from the middle of them.

I wanted to get a pygmy angel, but heard they eat sponges. Kinda scared me away from them because I do like the look of these white "sponges" and didn't want the angel to eat them all.

-Todd

steve1s

01-10-2003, 02:21 AM

i have these guys all over in my tank...i believe they're a type of squirt...anyone know?

They are commonly refered to as pineapple sponges....

Cheers
Steve

phistio

01-10-2003, 10:40 AM

thanks steve? so i would assume they suspension filter feeders? which part of they water column are they utilizing?

steve1s

01-10-2003, 11:45 AM

Yes they are suspension feeders, but if they are specialized I could not tell you what it is. I have never been able to find any real info about them All I do know has been from my own observations.

They like very high water flow. Dim to no light and will come and go. They are very common in new aquariums. When I first started my tank, I found many, then after awhile they all dissapeared. Since last year I have started to see a return of them and have many in my skimmer and canister filter.

Cheers
Steve

phistio

01-10-2003, 12:21 PM

which is why i see them all over in my overflow...

i started seeing them first on live rock in the main tank...now they've really populated in my overflow/sump...

matrixnyc

01-10-2003, 12:27 PM

Do they appear under certain water/tank conditions?

I have some showing up too, and wonder if they are a good sign or a bad sign ?

Any Ideas

steve1s

01-10-2003, 12:55 PM

As far as I know they are considered a sign of good tank health as they are one of the types that do poorly in unkept/unstable tanks.

In certain marine studies they are actually used as health indicators of a water system.

Cheers
Steve

phistio

01-10-2003, 01:02 PM

hmmm...canary in a cole mine, eh?