Orange spots that open and close.....

[Verbalkint]

No idea what these are either.

Thought it was just alge as one point, but then my wife pointed out that they open and close with the day / night cycle.

Full sized image can be seen here:
http://gallery.nea-online.net/55Gal/IMG_3145?full=1

 

[electrikat]

Kinda looks like sun coral polyps though I've never seen them spread out like that.

 

[Fluff]

Wow, I've never seen anything like that. I would guess some type of sponge though. Very neat. I'd be interested in seeing how they progress.

 

[Verbalkint]

WOAH... Fluff doesn't know what it is?????

Isn't that a sign of the End Of Days?

 

[Fluff]

Wow, thanks. I appreciate your confidence in me but, there are others on here who have forgotten more than I'll ever know. lol Hopefully Steve-s will stop in and be able to give you a more definite ID.

 

[steve-s]

Still too small to be sure but looks like the start of a red tube sponge. Could even be a species of Chordata, as I said though too small yet to be sure. Is this newly aquired rock?

Fan the top of the area gentley and see if they react...

Cheers
Steve

 

[Verbalkint]

I've had the rock for about 2 or 3 months.. Was purchased from the LFS..

I'll try fanning the area tonight. What kind of reaction should I expect?

I have seen them 'closed up'. When they are that way, they just look like orange spots.

 

[steve-s]

I'll try fanning the area tonight. What kind of reaction should I expect?

A reaction. Some sponges are photosynthetic and will shrink back whe there is no light and expand when there is. They will not commonly react to water movement, a tunicate will.

Cheers
Steve