Trash or Creature in Cozumel?

[Masq]

We came across this on Columbia Shallow reef in Cozumel last week.
It kind of looks like trash... like a dryer hose, but it was attached to the branch of the coral. Not wrapped all the way around like a plastic bag or something.
Thoughts?

Pictures too big for post - please view here:
Travel the world through Webshots photos!

 

[diversteve]

Some sort of egg-case. IDK what though.

Edit: Gotta love Google Images...

http://www.reef.org/node/3598

 

[hogpark7430]

I feel kind of bad for the critter that laid that egg.

Ouch

 

[citycountryguy]

Whale shark condom?

 

[MMM]

I vaguely recall that this is the egg case for flamingo tongues but why don't you post it on the Cozumel forum. Someone there should be able to I'd for sure.

 

[Masq]

@citycountryguy - LOL - ribbed for pleasure??
@diversteve - Thank you for helping to identify this!! that is exactly the link I needed. It is indeed a Whelk Egg Case.

 

[redacted]

Skeleton from a dead sea cucumber.

 

[Masq]

Correction. It is very similar to the egg case of a Whelk.... however I did more research and it is really the egg case for a West Indian Chank. They area includes Cozumel and there is a picture of one actually in the act of laying this egg on a different forum.
Regardless, it's pretty cool and was something I have never seen in Cozumel. :cool2: