A

Anonymous

Guest
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
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
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
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
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).]
 

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