what is this? something on my LR

[AngiePi]

ok, there is this honeycomb type tan spot on one of my Live rocks, I never noticed it before, if this isn't the rock then what is it?


thanks Angie

[Steve McKay]

It is either a coral or an old coral skeleton that has taken on color. It looks like it would be in the Faviidae family either way. How far is it from your lights and what type of lights do you have?

[AngiePi]

VHO lights, its a 75 gal tank and its about a little over halfway in the tank, so I don't know if that answers your question, I did try to research it on the web, but not too many answers for tan honeycomb thing on live rock ;)

[Steve McKay]

VHO lights, its a 75 gal tank and its about a little over halfway in the tank, so I don't know if that answers your question, I did try to research it on the web, but not too many answers for tan honeycomb thing on live rock ;)

After looking at it further I believe it just might be alive, does this seem likely? You can see it better than I can, is it a skeleton or does it look alive? Your lights are 75 watts apiece and your tank is 20"high is this correct? How far are the lights above the tank? What I'm trying to determine is how much light it is receiving. Some corals in the Faviidae family do not need a lot of light and the reason it is brown is because it is receiving to much light. I also presume it is on new rock.

[reefer@zoom]

I have 2 white ones just like it. looks like a cacoon or something with one hole going into the center.

[AngiePi]

the lights are about 12in above the tank, I thought I was crazy, but it seems to be alive, I was just telling my husband that we'll know for sure when we see it growing, out concern was that it was some type of algae, I've had that particular piece of rock in there for a month or two, I got it from a local tropical fish/reef shop, it was something taking out of someone else's tank, so I mean, it could possibly be anything popping out of it. We would be thrilled that it would actually be a type of coral!

[Steve McKay]

the lights are about 12in above the tank, I thought I was crazy, but it seems to be alive, I was just telling my husband that we'll know for sure when we see it growing, out concern was that it was some type of algae, I've had that particular piece of rock in there for a month or two, I got it from a local tropical fish/reef shop, it was something taking out of someone else's tank, so I mean, it could possibly be anything popping out of it. We would be thrilled that it would actually be a type of coral!

With what you've stated, I would leave it be. It is not algae, so relax. If you haven't noticed it before more than likely it is alive and growing, since it is growing I would let it stay where it is for the time being. Once it's bigger and a ID is made, then it would be possible to figure out the best placement for it. If you can get a closer shot of it we may be able to ID it quicker.

[Parrothead]

it's a tube coral, check out this photo

Tube coral image by dameyerfam on Photobucket

I've seen it alot on gulf rock, what kind of live rock do you have?????

[Steve McKay]

Thanks Parrot, now that it's identity is known we can move on to it's care. When you Google it, most of it comes up as Sun coral and it's not Sun coral "Tubastrea" I know I have one. AngiePi I suggest you research this further but if it's feeding habits are like the Sun coral then you will have to feed each polyp brine shrimp, mysis shrimp or other small food items because it is not photosynthetic. You will need to feed it about every three days, make sure you feed each polyp.

[Parrothead]

Real good water quaility, flow isn't a real big issue, They come and go, don't require target feeding, Have seen them grow/spread but nothing earth shattering, enjoy them.

[Steve McKay]

Real good water quaility, flow isn't a real big issue, They come and go, don't require target feeding, Have seen them grow/spread but nothing earth shattering, enjoy them.

So they are photosynthetic. Thanks again Parrot, I'll let you finish here you know more about this one than I do.

[Parrothead]

So they are photosynthetic. Thanks again Parrot, I'll let you finish here you know more about this one than I do.

Thats about it, I've never kept them long term, never fed them, I think they are filter feeders of a sorts

[Steve McKay]

Thats about it, I've never kept them long term, never fed them, I think they are filter feeders of a sorts

[Ninong]

ok, there is this honeycomb type tan spot on one of my Live rocks, I never noticed it before, if this isn't the rock then what is it?


thanks Angie

What does it feel like? Why don't you touch it and see if it feels like a sponge or something else?

[Steve McKay]

What does it feel like? Why don't you touch it and see if it feels like a sponge or something else?

Careful, approach it slowly they have been known to strip a woman's fingernail polish right off.

[Parrothead]

What does it feel like? Why don't you touch it and see if it feels like a sponge or something else?

if she's talking about the item dead center in the pic, that isn't a sponge, if she is talking about a little up to left center that might be a sponge

[Parrothead]

Careful, approach it slowly they have been known to strip a woman's fingernail polish right off.