+C Lo Slice Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 So I just got home from Disney World at 3 AM last night. I've been gone for a little over a week, and my wife just noticed this red SPS-looking thing growing on the back of a rock. Its really hard to get a decent picture because it IS growing on the BACK of a rock, and my DSLR doesn't fit between the wall and the back of a tank. These are horrible pictures, but it was the best I could get of it. This was a rock I bought from RCA on May 26th, and this is the first time either of us has noticed it. It is fairly large, growing to approx. one inch in the week we were gone. It doesn't seem like any type of nuisance from the research I have done, but I AM new to this so of course I could be wrong. It is right in the middle of these three pictures and appears to be growing in the shape of an SPS coral, although it seems to be "softer" than any SPS I have seen. Can anyone ID from these pics?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 Better pic from my cell phone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizardx322 Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 just a shot in the dark , dragons breath? if its soft prob not sps ( i'm no expert) anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mel in Elgin Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I was thinking Dragons Breath too... just a shot in the dark , dragons breath? if its soft prob not sps ( i'm no expert) anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Same here. Looks like dragon's breath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 Well that seems to be the consensus so far. Now... what exactly is Dragon's breath? ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 I texted a pic of it to my cousin and he seems to think it is a sponge. Anyone concur? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juiceman Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 Dragons breath is macro algae if I'm not mistaken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 So this is good, right? I don't have a sump, but people keep these kinds of things in there, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 Dragon's breath is a beautiful addition to the display tank. It is especially sought after by us seahorse keepers I don't know if it would be of much use in your sump unless you are going to grow it just to sell. You are lucky to have it as a hitchhiker! I had to bug people for weeks before someone would share a piece Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+etannert Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 You can keep it in your display tank too, it is one of the more beautiful macro algaes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 So I came across this picture of Distichopora (common name of Lace Coral) online. This looks almost exactly like what is in my tank. Mine is a dark red, and isn't thick at the base like this one is. From what I've read about Distichopora, it's pretty rare, and those lucky enough to have one in the home aquarium don't have any success with them. What is making me think these are two different things, is that all info I come across say the only colors available are yellow, salmon, and purple, while mine is dark red. Also, they're listed as "Advanced Aquarist Only," and mine is growing like CRAZY, thriving more than anything else in my tank. It definitely does not look like Dragon's Breath. I'll see if I can get a new picture of it tonight because it is massive compared to when I took the original photos. I'm thinking it is not Distichopora, but it sure does look VERY similar. Does anyone know of a close relative to Distichopora?? Photo credit: seascapestudio.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenmore Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I don't think it is dragons breath. For starters it appears to be attached to the rock. Also, is it hard to the touch? My guess is that its some kind of calcerous macro algae. Reefcleaners sells something that looks similar: http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=32&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenmore Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 btw - I'm in the process of growing out dragon's breath and red gracilaria (almost as stunning and very similar). It'll be a while before I have enough to trade/sell but I'll let you guys know when I have some I need to get rid of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 I don't think it is dragons breath. For starters it appears to be attached to the rock. Also, is it hard to the touch? My guess is that its some kind of calcerous macro algae. Reefcleaners sells something that looks similar: http://reefcleaners....emart&Itemid=34 I'm starting to think it's not a macroalgae at all. I haven't seen any that look like it. I'm going to try to get a better pic of it tonight to post. It is somewhat hard, but it definitely sways a little bit in the flow. And, yes, it is attached to the rock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Here are a couple of pictures of how it looks now. Does it look familiar to anyone?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenmore Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 definitely looks like a red macro algae of some kind - and a very pretty one to boot! When it gets big enough I might see if I can trade you for a piece of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Well it has definitely gotten big. It's probably almost time to start trimming it back. So if anyone wants some... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenmore Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Woot - yeah, I'll definitely take some. Need to figure out when I can get to Buda though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted August 26, 2011 Author Share Posted August 26, 2011 Woot - yeah, I'll definitely take some. Need to figure out when I can get to Buda though. Right on, just let me know. I work 5 minutes from home and can come and go as I please. Mondays and wednesdays I'm in school all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Looks to me like a Nitophyllum sp. macro. I'm also guessing it grows from a holdfast so getting cuttings to grow may be problematic. It is pretty though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 Graciaria sp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Looks to me like a Nitophyllum sp. macro. I'm also guessing it grows from a holdfast so getting cuttings to grow may be problematic. It is pretty though! Graciaria sp? It looks like a cross between these two. Either way, if anyone wants some, feel free to come by today. It's growing like crazy and I'll probably end up throwing it away if I trim it back. I don't know anything about fragging or trimming macro, so if special tools are needed you may want to bring them. It's free to whoever wants some, but donations are always welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenmore Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 It's not gracilaria or halemenia (dragon's breath) because its attached to the rock. Sorry Caleb - wasn't able to make it down to Buda over the weekend. Would you be willing to ship it if I pay for it? I can even send you the shipping materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+C Lo Slice Posted August 29, 2011 Author Share Posted August 29, 2011 It's not gracilaria or halemenia (dragon's breath) because its attached to the rock.Sorry Caleb - wasn't able to make it down to Buda over the weekend. Would you be willing to ship it if I pay for it? I can even send you the shipping materials. Yeah, I guess so. I've never shipped anything before, though, so I wouldn't really know what I'm doing. I'm willing to give it a shot though if you really want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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