Mushroom? or nothing? :)

[kkonowalchuk]

I have a couple of these things growing(?) on my live rock... One looks like a clam, the way it's growing out of a crack (just see a slit with red & white - sometimes open more than other times). The one in the picture is easiest to see, and hopefully easiest to identify. I have been looking for pics of mushrooms and haven't seen anything like this thing, so I don't know if that's what it is or not...

http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20287&d=1166849089

Looking at it closely, I'm sure it's "something"... :) Oh, it's only about 3/4" in diameter right now. If anyone can identify it -- how big might it grow?

Thanks!
Kevin

[kgolem]

How is it attached to the rock? Something that resembles a foot protruding from the center of the body, or a mass of ganglia?

[kkonowalchuk]

It's attached to the rock like it looks in the picture. The rock "appears" to be flat, and it's stuck to it also flat. I don't know if there's a little hole with a foot jammed in or not.

I'd poke at it to get a better description of how it's attached, but I don't want to hurt it... Seems pretty secure on its spot though!

Looking at pictures of leathers, it appears similar to a cabbage leather - only different. :)

Kevin

[kgolem]

Is it soft through and through or is there bony skeleton?

Sorry, I should have asked that in my first post.

[kkonowalchuk]

Dang - I'll pull up the rock and poke it a bit. I believe that it's soft, but don't quote me on it. Give me a minute to examine the rock, replace it - and dry off. :)

[kkonowalchuk]

Correction - it's hard... Very hard, in fact. I poked it with my finger and its as rough as it looks and then I poked it with a little screwdriver and it's hard all over. Tastes like peanut butter (kidding)

Looks like all signs are pointing to "nothing" here? :)

[kgolem]

Maybe the skeleton of an small coral, like a tongue coral or something similar.

[kkonowalchuk]

yup... could be... too bad! Back to the hitch hiker hunt!
Thanks,
Kevin

[Fragalot]

I think its dead coral skeleton. I saw same thing on my rock too.

[Mugster]

Looks like a coral skeleton to me too. Maybe a plate coral.





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