Recent content by spoonhandler

Last but not least, the Mantis Shrimp. Monty seemed the most appropriate name because those eyes look as if they came straight from a Gilliam animation. This was the first glimpse I had of him, so I thought this would represent what some others might see for the first time ("What the...?") Also...

Polychaete worms. If anyone recognises the host coral for the Christmas Tree Worms (see in background) please let me know what it might be.

Another mystery LR hitchhiker - could be star polyps, but I'm not sure. They are emerald green under actinic lights and can retract from sight (usually do once the lights are out, but sometimes stay that way during the day). Any ideas?

Some mystery corals. The Duncanopsammia was discovered amongst LR rubble, barely recognisable. Has since recovered and is growing well thanks to lots of TLC, but as shown in the pic, had suffered massive tissue loss due to lack of food and light. The soft coral mat is a mystery to me. Could be...

Possible decorator crab. Observed picking at sponges and then 'scratching' itself, possibly placing bits of sponge on the carapace. Sits very still - not easily scared off. Less than 1.5cm long.

Miscellaneous critters. The Echiuran (bonellia sp.) or spoon worm can extend for many inches from its hole (in LR) and the anchor-shaped end can spread out to collect food particles off rock and sand. Food is shipped back along the stalk. Very elastic and elusive creature. Thanks again to John...

Photos of ascidians (tunicates, sea squirts). In one of them, you can see what looks like the filter apparatus in the 'pharynx', I think.

These aren't great - feel free to use or reject.

Excellent! Thank you John - I had no idea where to even begin finding info on this creature. I'm also thrilled to find these are sometimes called 'spoonworms'. http://biodidac.bio.uottawa.ca/thumbnails/filedet.htm?File_name=Echu004b&File_type=gif...

I have a similar creature. The picture of the ribbon worm above looks like the same thing to me, with one of the paired appendages curled over. I have posted my pic below - you can see the anchor-shaped end. I've watched this creature a lot - it extends from a hole in the LR, can stretch out...

As a scientist, I was feeling a bit defensive when I first read through this thread, but I went over it a second time and calmed down a bit. Scientists are certainly human and capable of being mistaken, incompetant, biased, etc, just like everybody else, so we certainly can't say that anything...

Nice website Righty - your films and photos are fantastic. I had no idea cuttlefish used their tentacles to 'walk' - it was great to watch, especially the colour changes. Prey must think they're far enough away to be safe and then out come those capture tentacles and it's all over. Your angler...

What concentration of copper are you using to treat the clownfish? I've read that some are more sensitive to copper than others and that you need to use a lower concentration over a longer time period to treat them. Could others comment on this? Also, is there any chance this is Brooklynella...

I feed my Tubastraeas mysis shrimp and you can see when a polyp has captured one - they stick to the polyp. You don't want to touch the coral too firmly when you offer them food as they will retract into their cups too deeply to hold the shrimp. After awhile, the shrimp is taken in by the...

These corals (Tubastraea spp. or Sun Corals) are, as said above, completely non-photosynthetic. You don't need to put them anywhere out of the light as such but they do prefer areas with moderate water movement. You can 'train' them to open during the day - they're very beautiful when you get...