They are probably mussels. They send sperm and eggs into
the water. I think some species fertilize internally, and
then send out the eggs. I know there is one fresh water
clam that is a live bearer.

The mussels will attach to the rock, and will move around,
so they can be in one spot one day, and in another spot
another day.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets



George Patterson wrote on 10/6/2006 11:02 AM:
StringerBell wrote:

How do they proliferate? I keep thinking I see more---but am never
quite sure. There are a few empty shells that must have dropped from
the rock. If they died in the cycle, I dont know why I dont see any
"meat" in the shells. All the shells are about Pistachio-nut sized or
smaller.

Well, every so often, a small one appears where there wasn't one before.
I have several that resemble green pistachio nuts. One just appeared a
week or so back and is tiny. The largest is nut sized. They aren't
forming colonies; I have no idea where the next one will appear. Mine
are definitely alive, since each is slightly open, and I can see the
flesh inside. One of mine is on a piece of dead coral and couldn't have
come in with the rock, so they have to be reproducing.

I also have something about 1.5" long that seems to be some sort of
limpet. It looks like part of the rock, but it closes up when you touch
it. The effect is as if part of the rock suddenly shrank.

As far as no meat in your shells is concerned, shellfish spoil and rot
very rapidly. All of mine are firmly secured to something. I would guess
that, if you find one lying on the substrate, it's dead.

Also---in the Pod department---there is a handfull of much larger
animals in that "scene" that seem very aggressive. It looks like they
are eating voraciously---almost "pumping" through the water in
repetetive short bursts.
There are tons of Pods in there. I was thinking if the first fish
introduced was a pod-eater it could be a very successful acclimation.

I've been thinking the same myself and wondering if a 125 gallon tank is
large enough to keep enough pods growing to feed a Mandarin.

George Patterson
All successes in conservation are temporary. All defeats are
permanent.