Zoa rock purchase help.

Nathan123789 · Jul 22, 2021

Hi guys my name is Nathan and i am new to the reefing community, my brother introduced me to it and i am enjoying learning how to take care of my little peice of the ocean.
I recently made a purchase of a mixed zoa rock and i was happy with it until i looked at the back of it and saw some white spiky ball.. is it a hitchiker or is it a normal part of a zoa colony.

Please help me with identifying it.

Ive attached an image.

Thanks in advance

Peace River · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! Congratulations on your new adventure - I'm sure someone will jump in soon with an ID.

hollback · Jul 22, 2021

Looks like a tunicate or a sponge. Both are harmless.

PeterC99 · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

Keep an eye on it to see if it grows or spreads.

Reefnman2 · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome to R2R Nathan, not sure what that is but someone will help you out!

ShepherdReefer · Jul 22, 2021

Hello and welcome to the channel.

SPR1968 · Jul 22, 2021

Hi Nathan welcome to Reef2Reef!

saltyfins · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome to our little "family"!

Fred2482 · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome!

andiesreef · Jul 22, 2021

welcome!

could be a sponge or a mass of colonial hydroids.

tjohnson3 · Jul 22, 2021

Nathan123789 said:
Hi guys my name is Nathan and i am new to the reefing community, my brother introduced me to it and i am enjoying learning how to take care of my little peice of the ocean.
I recently made a purchase of a mixed zoa rock and i was happy with it until i looked at the back of it and saw some white spiky ball.. is it a hitchiker or is it a normal part of a zoa colony.

Please help me with identifying it.

Ive attached an image.

Thanks in advance

Colonial hydroids… welcome to R2R

Oldsman · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome to R2R !

KJ · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!!

Jimbhoy13 · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Nathan. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

You can get the UK banner here: Click Account then “Join User Group”, scroll to the bottom and click on “United Kingdom User Group‘’

Dark_Knightt · Jul 22, 2021

Welcome dude! Prepare for a life of coral addiction and constant unnecessary spending

I'm not too sure what others have said but have you touched it? Do the little "arms" retract?

MERKEY · Jul 22, 2021

Hello and welcome to R2R!

Nathan123789 · Jul 22, 2021

Dark_Knightt said:
Welcome dude! Prepare for a life of coral addiction and constant unnecessary spending
I'm not too sure what others have said but have you touched it? Do the little "arms" retract?

I just went and poked at it, i think it retracted but very very very slowly so that its hard to judge the movement. Umm.. some of the "arms" are connected to the zoa stems too.

Nathan123789 · Jul 22, 2021

Jimbhoy13 said:
Welcome to R2R and the salty world Nathan. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

You can get the UK banner here: Click Account then “Join User Group”, scroll to the bottom and click on “United Kingdom User Group‘’

Thanks ive just done that.