When in doubt, take it out and investigate...

[Jan]

When in doubt take it out and investigate, don't kill it.

Last week we had a member post on the board of another group I belong to that he may have found a new type of invasive worm. A friend of his called him because he was having issues with SPS and STN. I don't know why but someone ended up breaking off the branch of a very large acro colony. What was seen in the branch of the acro was something most hobbyist never get to see. They were convinced it was an invasive worm. I wasn't so convinced. How did worms get into the acro? There weren't any holes, just some STN. This is what he posted.

They dipped in revive or something and these "worms" didn't move. They ended up hacking up a grogeous large acro thinking it was infested because these things were in the tips of all the branches. What does the average hobbyist think it is?????

 

[Jan]

No thoughts??? Anyone? Anyone except a Marine Biologist.

 

[kres1024]

Looks like acropora eggs if they are not moving?

 

[Jan]

That's exactly what they were. Apparently this acro was about to spawn. It may have been from stress, because of the STN.

My point is we never know what we are dealing with in this hobby unless we have seen it before or have a degree in Marine Biology.

Unless you are absolutely sure that what you have in your corals or DT is bad please take it out and place it in QT or a refugium. Investigate, post pictures and ask questions.

Looks like acropora eggs

 

[rookie07]

Very interesting.

 

[kidninja]

so you're saying, that's not ketchup stains???? *heartbroken...*

 

[tunicata]

:sigh:
As someone with a Marine biology undergrad degree, i must say I did not know what they were. My saving grace is that my concentration was in tunicate and echinoderm biology.
I only became interested in coral in my junior year and primarily took the form of aquarium husbandry (aquaculture and systems).

Either way, that is totally cool!

 

[duke62]

If the coral is stressed and STNing why would it spawn? I saw this on RC by the way and im sure other people have to dont think anyone who isnt a marine biologist would automatically say acro eggs since i dont think anyone ever opened up a acro and used a microscope to investigate further.

 

[kres1024]

I did open up an acro and witness this before!

 

[James]

Great post. Wish I had something to add but I had no clue and didn't see the post until after it was answered anyway.

 

[Jan]

Many sea critters will spawn when stressed. My understanding is that It's a survival mechanism. To keep the species going.

This did not require a microscopic view. You can't miss that bright pink on white.

Granted, not too many folks would have said eggs. I only thought of eggs after someone mentioned that it may be getting ready to spawn. Then I did a search and found pics. I didn't think they were anything bad, though.

If the coral is stressed and STNing why would it spawn? I saw this on RC by the way and im sure other people have to dont think anyone who isnt a marine biologist would automatically say acro eggs since i dont think anyone ever opened up a acro and used a microscope to investigate further.