"What the heck is THIS?"

[Anonymous]

Hey all, got something weird here and would like to try and get some idea what it is. I'm sorry there's no picture, my camera is on the fritz : (

I picked up some beautiful mushrooms the other day (bright red and green), these had attached themselves to half of a rather large clam shell and there's other things growing on it (of course) including Feather dusters, Coraline, etc. However, there's one thing that's all over it that I haven't seen before and has me a bit concerned.

It looks kind of like a gray ooze/mat(has a very rubbery looking texture) that's about 1/8-1/4" thick. It has some tube type formations on it, but not a lot, and there's no polyps at all that I can see. Also, these tubes almost seem to morph (go away, etc). Anyway, I've had this thing for just a few days and laid the shell up against a piece of Star rock. This grey stuff has reached the grey stuff and seems to be heading rapidly towards the purple base of the star.

I don't know what this is, and would prefer not to try and remove it until I do know, but I can't let it get to the stars (perfect metallic green stars ; ). I think it's probably some sort of sponge, but don't know anything about them, any ideas?

Thanks for anything,

G

 

[Anonymous]

hmm, after looking at what VERY LITTLE information I could find via a google search, I think that's a fair guess. Now the question becomes should it stay, or should it go.

G

 

[Anonymous]

They can grow quite fast, though I am more familiar with their behavior in the wild. There are great studies of immunological 'wars' between these sorts of colonies growing up against sponges, corals, etc. I reckon you could kind of 'trim' it back every once in awhile to keep it away from the valuables. You can probably ditch it altogether if you want, though I am not an expert on getting rid of such a thing! Hopefully someone can help!

Here is a photo of such a beast: http://www.seamasters.be/bio/mantel/grijskorstzakpijp-1.htm

Here is an interesting website on some tunicates: http://www.travelingtheworld.com/guided_tours/articles/travel4.shtml

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Brittlestars! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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[This message has been edited by ophiuroid (edited 25 April 2001).]

 

[Anonymous]

Also possibly some sort of colonial mat tunicate?

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Brittlestars! http://home.att.net/~ophiuroid
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