This is on my rock... any ideas?

[akaBillyPrefect]

The pink splotches... if you look at the somewhat blurry closeup (cheap cam) you can see what all those pink splotches have in common, something like an opening or er, mouth? or ? 

I don't know what they are, they don't react to crabs or snails walking over them, they don't seem to be doing much changing, just still there, still same colour.

Any thoughts?


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[Alchemist]

Do they have any sort of tentacle things...especially when you are feeding other things?

[akaBillyPrefect]

no not really.  The only thing that has changed about them in the last month and a half seems to be that they are more defined about that centre opening.

[darkphreak]

A type of sponge... I think

[gvv]

Or it can be FORAMINIFERANS
Have a lok here:
http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

[Tynan Rasmus]

look like tunicates to me. I have some as well.

[akaBillyPrefect]

thanks to all with the responses...

I think the correct answer was a sponge of some sort, due to GVV's link.

Although, that link really annoyed me, as I found 3 other things in my tank that are all thumbs down and not easily removed.  sigh.

Seems I have :

a)  COLONIAL HYDROIDS
b)  VALONIA AKA BUBBLE ALGAE
c)  HAIR ALGAE (small patch, I can get this no problem)
d)  DINOFLAGELLATES
e)  CYANOBACTERIA

of the a, the rock is covered on the bottom side.  the valonia is only one or two small bubbles.  C I already covered.  D) I believe is investing one side of my rock, and E) is in the sand bed sort of imbedded in the sand.

But on a plus note, the rock does have some nice red feather dusters, chaeto patches, and er, some nice feather dusters.  As well as great colouring from the coraline algae.

Am going to set up some pics er, somewhere.

[pwrca]

Looks like some kind of sponge.  Got them on some of my rocks too.  At least Redbelly, thought they were sponges; of course he knew the probable species.

[Tynan Rasmus]

If you have DINOFLAGELLATES I would suggest you do whatever you can to eliminate them as fast as you can. They are just NASTY! .. I had a tank wiped out by them once.