What in the world is this

[bossman818]

Just saw this on my clam. Was not there up until today that I cleaned the tank. Please identify. Should I pull it out? Has these tubes that seem to open up.

 

[bossman818]

Sorry for the bad photos.

 

[Gvirgoan]

Looks like some type of sponge

 

[i cant think]

Just saw this on my clam. Was not there up until today that I cleaned the tank. Please identify. Should I pull it out? Has these tubes that seem to open up.

Looks like a sponge but if it moves it’s a polyclad flatworm.

Also, how long have you had that clam? It’s not looking too good as it hasn’t got any new recent growth rings which signifies it’s unhappy if not unhealthy.

 

[bossman818]

Looks like a sponge but if it moves it’s a polyclad flatworm.

Also, how long have you had that clam? It’s not looking too good as it hasn’t got any new recent growth rings which signifies it’s unhappy if not unhealthy.

Are sponges and flatworms bad for reef? Clam is less than a month old. Lights were out and I wanted to see all nocturnal critters so I shined my flashlight and saw that there. Was not there guaranteed because I have been actively keeping an eye out on the clam since it’s new to tank. It has like two tubes one on top and one on side.

 

[i cant think]

Are sponges and flatworms bad for reef? Clam is less than a month old. Lights were out and I wanted to see all nocturnal critters so I shined my flashlight and saw that there. Was not there guaranteed because I have been actively keeping an eye out on the clam since it’s new to tank. It has like two tubes one on top and one on side.

Sponges are good however flatworms can be quite bad for reefs as they can attack inverts like clams and coral.

That growth band hasn’t been present for at least a few weeks now. You should have a fresh white band at the top of your clam, especially where the mantle extends out to.
Here you can see the white growth band - albeit it’s not obvious as the shell didn’t have life growing on the older growth.

 

[OrionN]

It looks like a vermetid snail to me, sponge, or tube feather worm also are possibilities. If feather come out at the end, then it a feather worm, mucus strands then it is a vermetic and if nothing come out then it is a sponge. A clearer in focus picture will tell us more.

 

[bossman818]

 

[bossman818]

Sponges are good however flatworms can be quite bad for reefs as they can attack inverts like clams and coral.

That growth band hasn’t been present for at least a few weeks now. You should have a fresh white band at the top of your clam, especially where the mantle extends out to.
Here you can see the white growth band - albeit it’s not obvious as the shell didn’t have life growing on the older growth.

Now I’m even more worried. I love that clam. It fully extends and sensitive to light changes. Any other signs that can mean it’s not happy? Last week it was contracting and kicking sand up. Looked like it was trying to move. I was amazed. I’m worried that sponge or whatever it is might take over and now allow it to grow. It’s just so weird it was not there then after I clean tank it decides to go on my clam.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Just saw this on my clam. Was not there up until today that I cleaned the tank. Please identify. Should I pull it out? Has these tubes that seem to open up.

That's a solitary tunicate - a perfectly harmless filter feeder; nothing to worry about, and it won't hurt your clam at all.

 

[Tired]

Ah, that's a tunicate! They aren't mobile, so it's always been there, but they can contract down very tightly and become difficult to see when disturbed.