[aquasalt]

Just bought some new Live Rock with all kinds of growth on it. Would appreciate some identification help.

1. What's the Green Jalapeno looking thingy in the first picture?
2. Is that a mushroom of some sort in the second picture?

Many thanks in advance

[Tonz of fun]

I could make a guess but I wont, but I have a question for you...where did you grom up to learn about a jalapeno pepper?

[rlcline76]

pepper, eh? Well, I cannot tell by the looks of the pic. Is it spreading quickly? Could be a type of bubble algae. Hard to say without a good photo.

[aquasalt]

Emcullough1, in another post, replied:
"I'm gessing the the green one is some kind of alga. the last one I dont see any mushrooms. zooming in 400 times I did see what looks like red tree alga not shure what the white stuf is and the thing withall the holes let me know if you ever find out I have one like it on a clam shell. I'm gessing some kind of dead coral. the one I have has not changed in the 4 1/2 months my tank has been runing. I'm a long way from a reef expert infact newbe is the right word for me."

Here are some links to larger pics. Not sure if it helps at all, but worth a try...

Jalapeno Pepper

The thing with holes

Both don't appear to be growing or changing at all. Then again, this is fairly new live rock (2 weeks old).

Jim

[aquasalt]

Almost forgot...Tonz of Fun, are you asking me where I grew up to learn about jalapeno peppers?

[rlcline76]

Of all the states I've lived in, I find that jalapenos are found everywhere. It was the first pepper in space! I'm guessing that I am supposed to be looking at the clusters that appear to be branching off the rock? Those give me the serrano pepper feel.

[aquasalt]

Maybe I have the first saltwater pepper?
Yes, it's the green guy immediately left of the clam.

[emccullough1]

Yes the Jalapeno peper I helped a frend pic some as a kid in Ind. Then made the fatal mastake to wipe the swet from my eyes. I still love to eat them but I will never pic them without gloves again.

[rlcline76]

All I can say is that I was super thankful to have benedryl around when I had my mishap with the pepper. My fingers were a-burning.

[Tonz of fun]

I have a funny story Ill share with you. I had a friend move out here from NJ. The second day he was out here we went to a buffet. He thought to himself at the buffet "o-man, they take the oliives and take out the red thing and slice them for you" He got to the table and took a huge spoon full. He almost died. He was reaching for the water gasping for air and we all took the water away from him. He didnt know what was going on he thought we were being a-holes. Good times...

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by aquasalt

Almost forgot...Tonz of Fun, are you asking me where I grew up to learn about jalapeno peppers?

Yes thats correct

[aquasalt]

Well, as it turn out, after some midnight research last night I found out that the green jalapeno pepper on my LR is more like a hotdog, at least according to Home - Reefkeeping Magazine Online

"Boergesenia forbesii is often found as large single bladders that at full size can look almost like shiny, bite-size, clear-green hotdogs. These vesicles grow to around 2 inches length and up to nearly an inch in width. This alga does not restrict itself to rocky substrate, and is easily found epiphytic -that is to say, living on other plants like sea-grass or sturdy algae. It seems to have a less sturdy vesicle wall than fellow giant, V. ventricosa. The image to the left shows young vesicles, only half an inch long; the brown lump in the foreground is the remains of a larger, spent vesicle, which peaked at about an inch-and-a-fourth in length. Interestingly, Trono (1997) singles out the species as a good bio-indicator for marine radioactive pollution, but does not elaborate if it is merely superior at assimilating radionuclides that can be revealed by assay of samples, or if (less likely) the alga actually exhibits geographic affinity with radioactive concentrations."

I also noticed a Ventricaria ventricosa on another LR.

So now that we've identified the underwater jalapeno, and we've established that our tank is quite possibly radioactive, I guess that explains why my maroon clown grew a third eye last week.

Tonz o' Fun...I grew up everywhere, and nowhere at the same time. Born in El Paso, TX, moved to Indiana at a young age, then New York (West Point), Germany, Holland, from there back to San Diego, then back to Holland. I moved to Florida almost 4 years ago. Interestingly, I've found that green jalapenos are readily available most everywhere.

Have a good one guys!

Jim

[aquasalt]

Of course, if anybody has any ideas as to the "thing with holes", I'm all ears!

[rlcline76]

Hmmm, get a few fish with three eyes and you will be in business!

Good for you with finding your own answer and educating a few of us.

[lynnvangsnes]

Ok the "thing with holes"...does it have any color? How does it feel? Is it hard or squishy? It looks like dead porites coral...if it's hard. If it's alive (squishy), then yes, possibly a sponge. They're not supposed to live if exposed to air.

[e_baer]

yeah, i have carribean LR and stuff like that came on the rock. i think it is just deceased coral.