What is it?

melev

melev

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Before the final lights (actinics) shut off last night, I saw a very odd thing occur. The Montipora was smoking! A small clear tube emanating from the Montipora 'blob' was apparently spawning. The tube is about 2.5" long, and I couldn't figure out where it went or what was on the other end.

The coral is hollow inside, so it wouldn't be a huge leap to think something is living inside, but just the same, it was hard to grasp that something inside could project such a long clear tube. It was almost like an anemone tentacle.

Here's a 7 meg video for y'all. Right Click & Save As to your harddrive, please.
http://www.melevsreef.com/video/smoke_and_mirrors.wmv
 
Marc,

It could be a bivalve proboscis from a mussel that has been covered over time by coral skeleton. Hard to see, but that's what it reminds me of first glance. Free filterfeeder food nonetheless. :wink:
 
You sure it wasn't the clam itself behind the montipora? Looks similar to what my cucumber has done in the past, though.
 
The clam is several inches away, and I could see the lack of a connection but was unable to film it. I guess if it happens again, I might try shooting video from above.
 
No, this thing was completely clear, but looked like a tentacle.

When I checked on it a couple of hours later, it looked like it was gone, with some bits of web-like stuff in that particular area, not unlike what a wrasse's dissolved cocoon looks like. It was about 95% gone, just some weird stuff moving in the current.
 
Whatever it was, apparently it had a very good Saturday night. :p

Good catch, keep us updated if you figure it out.
 
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