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View Full Version : ID - What are these things?



Instar
Sat, 3rd Apr 2004, 02:15 AM
Can anyone ID these please??
Colony is less than 1/4 inch in height, and polyps from 1/8 to less than 1/4 inch. Very small brown polyps that grow from a ryzoid root similar to fungus or a hydroid. Show up now and then on rocks. Always wonder what they are?

http://www.maast.org/modules.php?set_albumName=Instar&id=Im002887miniWo odsPolypsCloseup&op=modload&name=gallery&file=inde x&include=view_photo.php

fx300
Sat, 3rd Apr 2004, 07:59 AM
I have the book Aquarium Corals by Erick H. Borneman and in it found a picture similar to yours and this is what it says:

Genus Clavularia de Blainville, 1830
Common Species: C.hamra, C. inflata, C. viridis, and perhaps 40 others.
Common Names: clove or glove polyps, palm tree polyps, fern polyps.

Identification: Clavularia are encrusting soft corals that form mats and clumps connected by stolons:rootlike growths that adhere to the substrate.

Let me know if I was a bit close or way off on this one.

Fabian

Instar
Sat, 3rd Apr 2004, 11:25 AM
I looked in the Borneman book too. I think these are related or in that family because of the description. Since they are so small compared to what some people call Ginger Polyps or Clove Polyps, I'm not sure. They are or seem to be xenia/clavularia type things though. They really look a lot like miniature Anthelia to me.