What is this...

[mavjax]

In the middle of the frame are some silvery spheres. We saw examples of this a few times on the reefs just off of Cancun last week. Normally we would see 3 or 4 together, but somethimes just one.

Any ideas??
Thanks.

 

[Mako Mark]

These are definately a form of algae. YOu will need to get a botany type dude to identify them correctly

 

[jlyle]

Sea pearls...aka Sailor's eyeball! They are single cell green algae.

 

[Dee]

Sea pearls...aka Sailor's eyeball! They are single cell green algae.

Agree....and if someone ever bring one up with them, don't let them bust it! The 'skin' is like cellophane and the liquid inside stinks worse than anything I can describe.

 

[SueMermaid]

Cooool! Those things fascinate me. (okay, so I am simple). :32:

My neighbor had one in her fish tank, lucky girl.

 

[jlyle]

FWIW: I looked it up and the scientific name is: Ventricaria venticosa. There is also a related "elongated sea pearl," Valonia macrophysa.

 

[DoubleDip]

Dee, is that the voice of experience?

 

[Dee]

Dee, is that the voice of experience?

Uh....somebody told me about it. Yeah...that's right, somebody...

 

[nlbford]

These are definately a form of algae. YOu will need to get a botany type dude to identify them correctly

Or dudette . . .

 

[mavjax]

Thanks for the info all.