[Joedirte83]

I purchased this rock for $20 at the LFS. It has around 30 yellow polyps, 2 brown button polyps, a clam shell, and this unidentified invert/coral. It has little red hairs around it and a month in the center. It is soft to the touch and reacts very quickly. When it's frightened, it recesses underneath the clam shell. I showed a picture to the guy at the LFS and he said it might be some sort of cucumber. I don't think it is because it never moves from that spot.

FULLY OPEN

Unknown Hitcher 03.JPG

FULLY OPEN

Unknown Hitcher 04.JPG

HALF OPEN

Unknown Hitcher 05.JPG

FULLY CLOSED

Unknown Hitcher 06.JPG

IT EVEN HAS A GLOW UNDER THE ACTINICS

Unknown Hitcher 07.JPG

[Six-line Wrasse]

Maybe it's a rock anemone of some sort. I really don't know, but I wanna say it looks sort of like one of the rare species. I could be completely wrong.

[Joedirte83]

I've been doing quite a bit of research and I do believe it's an anemone or some type. Now to find out what kind. Does anyone know of any good sites to ID things besides coralsearch and melev'sreef?

[pogodzib]

WetWebMedia-Marine Aquarium Articles and FAQ's

[Joedirte83]

I managed to get a pretty descent close up of the hitcher. It is definitely a rock anemone. I believe it's a Phymanthus muscosus or Phymanthus pinnulatum. Thanks to those who responded.

Hitcher-Closeup.jpg

Check out this.

POPPEIMAGES™

[jcjuarez]

whoa...that's a pretty good link for images. Maybe I'll ID my rock anemones which also coincidentally hitchhiked along with a rock of yellow polyps. I'm keeping my eye on 7 of them and plan to eradicate them later on because they ain't no beauties! I was thinking of plopping it in my QT tank, as soon as it's available, with some peppermint shrimp to see if they really have a preference for the aiptasia and not the yellow polyps. Then, they'll all go back to the main tank.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

It looks odd- which is what I like about it. It's not the same thing everyone else has.
Question: it doesn't bother the shrimp that is around it.

[kolokefalo]

The yellow polyps appear to be some type of Parazoanthus. If it is the same ones I had a few years back, they will divide at their base and very...very quickly cover the rock and sting anything in their path. If they are next to your favorite coral one will have to move. They really like current and usually come on Fiji rock.

[Joedirte83]

michelle's ocean fantasy - the anemone doesn't bother the sexy shrimp one bit. a lot of the times i will see the sexy shrimp standing directly on top of it over its mouth and nothing. the day the rock anemone consumes one of my creatures it will be coming out of the tank. i feed it on a daily basis in hopes to keep it happy and from moving around on me and eating something.

kolokefalo - i know what the yellow polyps are...that's why i bought the rock. the item that "was" in question was the rock anemone located behind the yellow polyps. thanks for your input though.

[michelle's ocean fantasy]

Thanks for the feedback! Those shrimp are cute! Just what exactly do you 'feed' a rock anemone?

[Taras1]

I've been thinking about getting a few rock anemone. Research said that they have some photosynthetic capability but also need to be feed chopped or small bits of fish/krill/shrimp.

[msbdiving]

I picked up 2 of those rock anemones when I first started out. They were bleached and kinda light pink looking. One died off the other has thrived. It has been in my tank about 8mo now and it is beautiful. It has a green shimmer to it and dark again. Looks good under actinics. I still spot feed it about once a week if that with either shrimp, flake or blood worms. Gotta watch the cleaner shrimp though. He is a theif, will take the food right outta there.

[msbdiving]

Or a thief. Oops, didn't check the spelling.