Pinky thingy

[wardric]

Can someone help me identify this pink critter as precisely as possible?. Pic was taken on the Castor wreck in Boynton, Florida at a depth of about 100'. It was in march 2006 during the afternoon.

Thanks

 

[Rick Murchison]

Appears to be a closed up anemone. Beyond that I can't tell, 'cause I need to see what's "behind the curtain."
Rick

 

[DennisW]

What Rick said.

 

[wardric]

Thanks guys, I tought it might be an anemona but didn't think about the fact it might be closed. Do they usually close during daytime and open at night?
And do colors mean something about the specie or is it a non significant criteria?

 

[archman]

Do they usually close during daytime and open at night?
And do colors mean something about the specie or is it a non significant criteria?

Most anemones (that I know of) don't exhibit the specific sort of diel behavior seen in hermatypic corals. Tentacular contraction seems more cued to animals that are "full", environmentally stressed, or just acting goofy. At least that's how all my aquarium specimens behave.

Column and tentacle coloration can be a useful diagnostic for some species, but it's not considered by taxonomists a primary identifier. For that, histological examination is required, particularly of the mesenteries.

I've never seen a red-colored anemone like yours. Lucky.

 

[GA Under Water]

The color suggest "Florida Condy" or [SIZE=-1]Condylactis gigantea. What stops me from sticking to that is the arrangement. Condys are aggressive and are not found in [/SIZE]connected clusters. That being said, the search goes on.

I had a Condy once and it would act this way just becuase. No other reason, just "because." Same color trunk anyway.

 

[wardric]

they were all grouped if I recall. There was a bunch of em'

 

[Rocha]

It is a cup coral, genus Tubastrea.

 

[wardric]

Thanks Luiz. I checked the name you gave me on internet and found pics that looks like mine.

 

[archman]

It is a cup coral, genus Tubastrea.

Yup. I should have zoomed in on those stupid orange tentacles stashed on the side. I thought those oral surface's looked mighty odd for an anemone...

Screwed by an exotic species once again. This makes the THIRD time this species has bushwhacked me. You rock, Luiz.