Reefkeeping

[puter]

It amazes me, after years have passed, that looking into the same old tank is as interesting and intriguing as it was in the beginning. I know the picture stinks, but it's a small glimpse into last night's show:

http://www.fragback.com/pictures/SailfinCleaning.jpg

[Gary Majchrzak]

Kewl. I know what you mean.

[Guy]

I am amazed every single day by something. Today is was watching a Bubble-Shell suck a 2" strand of hair algae into it's mouth like spaghetti.

[Gary Majchrzak]

Funny you should mention that, Guy. Today I watched a bubble coral eat a strand of Bryopsis.

[Guy]

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
Funny you should mention that, Guy. Today I watched a bubble coral eat a strand of Bryopsis.

You win! LOL That's wild Gary. I thought they were carnivores.

[Gary Majchrzak]

So did I. I should have taken a pic, but I didn't think it would be of special interest to many. Bubble shells are very interesting. I don't believe many folks know what one looks like.... got a pic? :D

[puter]

Gary, you made me look up Bubble shell: picture (http://enature.com/fieldguide/showSpecies_LI.asp?imageID=19573).... but I'd be more interested in seeing Guy's.

Unrelated question: These small snails (1/4") are reproducing in my tank. Before I go looking... any idea which they are?
http://www.fragback.com/pictures/snail.jpg

Saw one place with a similar picture that identified them as Nerites but I'm not seeing the resemblance here (http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2003/invert.htm).

[Gary Majchrzak]

No coffee yet (so my eyes are still fuzzy) but I'd have to say that snail definitely does not look like a Nerite. Does the snail hang out near the waterline? Nerites like it up there- sometimes they'll even crawl out of the water.
Maybe search up 'sundial' snail... or just simply 'sundial'.

[puter]

Sundial was my first thought/fear... no operculum though. They hide during the day and hang out on the tank sides at night. Maybe another Heliacus?

[M_Phobos]

Last night, I watched an Echinophyllia eat a drifting zoanthid polyp. My zoanthid colony drops buds that drift in the current all the time...this one, unfortunately for it, landed right smack in the middle of my Echino colony. The polyp was completely taken into the Echino. in about an hour.

Cheers,
Fred

[Guy]

Originally posted by puter
Unrelated question: These small snails (1/4") are reproducing in my tank. Before I go looking... any idea which they are?
http://www.fragback.com/pictures/snail.jpg


Collonista - Beneficial diatom grazer.

[Guy]

Originally posted by Gary Majchrzak
Bubble shells are very interesting. I don't believe many folks know what one looks like.... got a pic? :D

Here's one from my tank. They hide in the oddest places sometimes. I've also heard them called Head-Shield Snails because of the shape of the front.

Haminoea sp. are like a missing link between Sea Slugs and Sea Snails. The shell is partially or completely covered by flesh. If you look closely at the bubble you can tell it's actually the smooth shell. On this one the orange star shapes are not on the shell, the shell is actually perfectly clear.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2417head_shield2.jpg

[puter]

Originally posted by Guy
Collonista - Beneficial diatom grazer.

Thanks Guy!