Fresh water coral?

[jchull]

The freshwater sponges on this page kinda look like coral...
http://www.umaine.edu/WaterResearch/FieldGuide/inthewater.htm#sponge

 

[archman]

The freshwater sponges on this page kinda look like coral...
http://www.umaine.edu/WaterResearch/FieldGuide/inthewater.htm#sponge

Oh come on:mooner: ... that's really stretching. If anything, they look most like marine sponges. One would have to be in low viz, narced, and possess uncanny knowledge of *soft corals* to confuse those FW sponges.

 

[scratchmyback]

Not everyone is a marine biologist. On first glance I can see how someone, myself included, might think they're coral.

 

[do it easy]

Lately, I've noticed some light pink/white splotches on some of the attractions at the local freshwater hole. They are generally round and flat and, as far as I know, only grow on metal- I've never seen them on the local rocks that inhabit the quarry. They also seem to grow in the "shade"- not directly exposed to the surface light. Any ideas of what they might be?

 

[archman]

Not everyone is a marine biologist. On first glance I can see how someone, myself included, might think they're coral.

Hmmm... I had to think about this statement.

Okay, I'll amend my earlier response.
**
The only way anybody could confuse freshwater sponges with corals is if said person normally confused corals with marine sponges, macroalgae, tunicates, and encrusting bryozoans. :thumbs_up:

Ha ha.

 

[ohmdiver]

saw a fresh water jellyfish twice...

 

[fisheyeview]

Never heard of it. Maybe it was a stalagmite (or stalagtite, because I have no idea what the difference is) formation?

fyi - Stalactites hang down from the ceiling, and Stalagmites reach up from the floor.

 

[do it easy]

fyi - Stalactites hang down from the ceiling, and Stalagmites reach up from the floor.

They also don't grow in water- they form in air, and then are subsequently flooded.

 

[paradicio]

Good info here, nice to have a resident marine biologist!

 

[bottomfeeder22]

Never heard of it. Maybe it was a stalagmite (or stalagtite, because I have no idea what the difference is) formation?

I used to get them confused until someone told me that StalacTites are on the Top.