What is this?

[makomike]

Does anyone know what this is(not the urchin)? They look silver underwater. They are translucient, amber in color inside when held to the light. Rigid outer, but can be "popped" easily if sqeezed to hard. Seen at many dive sites. Initial guess was an egg. See them fairly often if i look for them. Nice of this urchin to be a pedestal for the photo.

 

[justleesa]

I think it is some kind of bubble algae

 

[gregorio]

An algae indeed. I think (to be checked) that is the biggest unicellular organism.

 

[onfloat]

Bubble Alge, aquarists actually like to see them in their aquarium.

 

[howard4113]

Sometimes called an pearl algae or sea pearl. There's a few of them around once you know what to look for.

Google Image Result for http://www.deepseaimages.com/dsilibrary/data/760/thumbs/22002_1127_181324aa_1_1.jpg


M

 

[Roll221]

Bubble Alge, aquarists actually like to see them in their aquarium.

I have been a saltwater reefkeeper for over 10 years (put on hold here in Hawaii). This algae is actually Valonia ventricosa. It is really cool for non-reefkeepers to see in an aquarium, however most of us consider it a nuisance algae as it can get out of hand if not kept in check.

 

[ScubaAndDreams]

Now that the question has been answered...

If it's prickly and nasty, it's my wife after going diving 5 days in a row

Sherm

 

[justleesa]

If it's prickly and nasty, it's my wife after going diving 5 days in a row

 

[friscuba]

The "sea pearl" is also known as "sailor's eyeball". It's the wolrd's largest single celled organism, kinda amazing when you think about it.

 

[makomike]

scubaboard is freakin awesome!! Thanks everyone. Couldn't find in any of my Id books, but never looked in algae area. Thanks again!