On Live Rock

[slwedge71]

This was on a piece of live rock I purchased at my best supplier of salt water goods. In my stupier of seeing such beautiful live rock I forgot to talk to the shop owner about what was on this rock. Anyone have any ideas ??

 

[little_fish]

Its it hard? Slimy? does it respond to the light? see any polyps?

At first glance it looks like a wasted away gorg, but then it could also be some sort of red macro. Not really sure

 

[slwedge71]

It almost looks like a piece of coral that is bleaching. Let me see if I can get a better pic

 

[slwedge71]

 

[gaeus]

Could be a gorgonian, +1 little fish, it also could a red algae (rhodophyta) such as Hyphnea or Chondria.

 

[ZyberGoby]

looks like [SIZE=-1]tang heaven macro algae to me

The green macro under it is [/SIZE]cactus algae or Halimeda Plant I had lots of it in my tank

 

[Waddi]

Yep either a gorg or macro.

+1 lil_fish, what does it feel like?

 

[jcegt87]

i forgot the common name for it but after a little googling im pretty sure its this Agardhiella tenera, petco used to sell it by the fist full for about 2$

found the common name its Gracilaria

http://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.com/search?w=gracilaria

 

[little_fish]

I agree with jcegt87, that is a macro algae. They can be a little pissy after being moved from tank to tank, but given a few weeks should perk up.

 

[Smitty]

Idk...it looks like a gorgonian to me....especially if it has lil white polyps on the sides.

 

[little_fish]

Oh, i didnt see those, but i can quite tell exactly what they are. The pictures are pretty blurry

 

[slwedge71]

Ok, got it confirmed by a friend of mine that had been reef tanking for 10+ years now. It's gracilaria macro algae. He believes the white tips that look like coral bleaching is actuall new growth and will redden up in a week or so.