Snowflakes on side of my tank

[Richardthesecond]

Greetings,
I'm new to the hobby, having just gotten my tank up and running two months ago. Last week, after putting in a couple of leather corals (cooincidence?) I noticed some minute white specks on the side of my tank. They are about a quarter the size of a pin head . . . small!
Using a small tripod microscope I took a look and was astounded to see a miniature pulsing body with seven radial tentacles sticking out, waving in the current. It looks like there is an equal number of "legs" attached to the aquarium side. Imagine this is some kind of larvae or polyp or ??? Would assume there are thousands of critters this might be. My question: are there any good identification books or web sites for micro organisms anyone can recommend? Of course, if this critter I'm describing is unique and anyone knows what it is I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks in advance,
Richard

 

[Anonymous]

This site can help with some id's.
http://rshimek.com/animal_identifications1.htm

I hope you have checked the hitchiker id page on this site!


http://reefs.org/hhfaq/


By the way, I do know what you are talking about, I have had those show up in one of my tanks before. They bloomed after I started feeding baby brine shrimp to some fish babies in the tank. I can't remember what they are called right now though.

Good luck.