Just got in my base rock and live sand from Tampa Bay Saltwater yesterday and I must have spent literally hours investigating every nook and cranny for critturs! Figured out most of them, but would like some confirmation on these three.
Is this a sponge? The base is a lovely shade of lavender and the off-white branches are very slightly breakable, but the whole is largely rubbery. If so, I hope I can keep it alive, it's gorgeous.
Is this a baby Christmas Tree Worm? If not, it's extremely cute, whatever it is. It's about half the size of a pencil eraser and retreats when touched.
Is this Orange Cup Coral? The polyps are about the same size as pencil erasers. If so, any tips on removal? I've heard they're quite invasive.
Aside from these, so far I've found quite a number of hermit crabs of all sizes, a bunch of red tunicates, a few tiny anemones of some variety (probably pests), an assortment of worms, sponges, and limpets, a single large cerith snail, several baby or dwarf ceriths, barnacles, tiny serpent stars, tiny decorator crabs, and one adorable baby urchin about the size of a dime.
Also got freebies of a small red star, a large hermit, and a tiny banded coral shrimp which sadly did not survive the transition.
Thanks!
Is this a sponge? The base is a lovely shade of lavender and the off-white branches are very slightly breakable, but the whole is largely rubbery. If so, I hope I can keep it alive, it's gorgeous.
Is this a baby Christmas Tree Worm? If not, it's extremely cute, whatever it is. It's about half the size of a pencil eraser and retreats when touched.
Is this Orange Cup Coral? The polyps are about the same size as pencil erasers. If so, any tips on removal? I've heard they're quite invasive.
Aside from these, so far I've found quite a number of hermit crabs of all sizes, a bunch of red tunicates, a few tiny anemones of some variety (probably pests), an assortment of worms, sponges, and limpets, a single large cerith snail, several baby or dwarf ceriths, barnacles, tiny serpent stars, tiny decorator crabs, and one adorable baby urchin about the size of a dime.
Also got freebies of a small red star, a large hermit, and a tiny banded coral shrimp which sadly did not survive the transition.
Thanks!