What is this on the side of my Bowerbanki?

[Wrapse]

Just got this coral a couple days ago and just noticed this barnacle like thing on the side. It likes to suck in water and spit sometimes. It has a hard shell. It also has super skinny orange white arms all over it. Is this thing harmful?

 

[J.chemicals]

Look like bristle worm

 

[Wrapse]

Look like bristle worm

It’s attached to the underside of the coral. And it squeezes shut in response to disturbance.

 

[Pico bam]

I was going to guess sponge but sponges don't move. Rip it off and tooth brush the Skelton just to be safe imo.

 

[Wrapse]

I was going to guess sponge but sponges don't move. Rip it off and tooth brush the Skelton just to be safe imo.

Could it be a clam? The way it opens up is kind of clammy.

 

[Pico bam]

Oh dude if that's a scallop get rid of it. They can spead.

 

[Pico bam]

I occasionally find a scallop groing under rock and coral in my tank. it turns into another thing to deal with. Just hard to tell from the picture.

 

[Wrapse]

I occasionally find a scallop groing under rock and coral in my tank. it turns into another thing to deal with. Just hard to tell from the picture.

View attachment 2968964

 

[Wrapse]

Here’s a video of it in action

 

[Wrapse]

I occasionally find a scallop groing under rock and coral in my tank. it turns into another thing to deal with. Just hard to tell from the picture.

Here’s a video of it in action

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Awww, he's cute!

 

[Pico bam]

Yea looks like a scallop they can take over tanks if giving the opportunity.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Just got this coral a couple days ago and just noticed this barnacle like thing on the side. It likes to suck in water and spit sometimes. It has a hard shell. It also has super skinny orange white arms all over it. Is this thing harmful?

View attachment 2968912

Clatharina sponge which is a poriferan type sponge and can be invasive. Remove with either a dental pic or small crochet needle.

 

[Wrapse]

Clatharina sponge which is a poriferan type sponge and can be invasive. Remove with either a dental pic or small crochet needle.

Check my video I posted a couple replies ago. It has a shell that opens and shuts

 

[Soren]

Your description matches and it looks very similar to bivalves found on my ocean-direct live rock. I have not identified specifics yet.
Mine almost look like part of the rock, as they are embedded in holes and cracks (not sure if they bore the spaces or just fill them).

I'll have to look into scallops to see what type might be common on rock from the Florida Gulf.

Edit: @Wrapse After a quick online search, it looks like mine (and possibly yours) may be similar to thorny oysters (see first image: thorny oyster fully open), though it looks like this pictured species is from the Indo-Pacific.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Here’s a video of it in action

Did see video previously- Looks like a tunicate also called sea squirt.

 

[Pico bam]

For some reason I've always called these scallops? There obviously not now that I read the article. Mine appear more like mussels.

 

[Wrapse]

Your description matches and it looks very similar to bivalves found on my ocean-direct live rock. I have not identified specifics yet.
Mine almost look like part of the rock, as they are embedded in holes and cracks (not sure if they bore the spaces or just fill them).

I'll have to look into scallops to see what type might be common on rock from the Florida Gulf.

Edit: @Wrapse After a quick online search, it looks like mine (and possibly yours) may be similar to thorny oysters (see first image: thorny oyster fully open), though it looks like this pictured species is from the Indo-Pacific.

Have yours ever caused any problems or do you remove them all? Because if this guy is no harm I might let him be.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

From what I can see, I'd guess either a Thorny Oyster (Spondylus sp.) or a Jewelbox Clam (family Chamidae). They're harmless filter feeders.

As a note on scallops, they have the little "tails" at the back of their shells that make them easily identified.

 

[Wrapse]

From what I can see, I'd guess either a Thorny Oyster (Spondylus sp.) or a Jewelbox Clam (family Chamidae). They're harmless filter feeders.

As a note on scallops, they have the little "tails" at the back of their shells that make them easily identified.

Aquarium Invertebrates: A Look at Some Azooxanthellate Epifaunal Bivalves

James Fatherree explores the biology of non-photosynthetic clams, scallops, and oysters commonly encountered by reefkeepers. While most of these bivalves are not impossible to keep with advances in captive reef nutrition, their surprisingly high dietary requirements make their husbandry difficult.

reefs.com

The mouths look exactly like the jewelbox clam pictured in this article. The one in my tank has tiny little light orange whips on its body. Do the jewelboxes have those?