Aiptasia or Feather Duster?

[candelloro]

So I got a Kenya tree frag from my lfs two weeks ago and I noticed some growths on the frag rock it’s on. They’re way too tiny to photograph but they have a hard tube and very thin tentacle like things and retract when touched they are also dark brown in colour. Do I have aiptasia or feather dusters? They retract into the tube by the way, the whole tube doesn’t shrink or anything

 

[ScottR]

So I got a Kenya tree frag from my lfs two weeks ago and I noticed some growths on the frag rock it’s on. They’re way too tiny to photograph but they have a hard tube and very thin tentacle like things and retract when touched they are also dark brown in colour. Do I have aiptasia or feather dusters? They retract into the tube by the way, the whole tube doesn’t shrink or anything

Pics are almost crucial to confirm identity. IME, aiptasia tend to look more wavy while feather dusters tend to be more uniform and symmetrical.

 

[candelloro]

Pics are almost crucial to confirm identity. IME, aiptasia tend to look more wavy while feather dusters tend to be more uniform and symmetrical.

The tube doesn’t move at all and they’re all straight. I cannot get any photos, they are just that tiny

 

[ScottR]

The tube doesn’t move at all and they’re all straight. I cannot get any photos, they are just that tiny

I’d say, if I had to guess, that’s its a fan worm or feather duster.

 

[candelloro]

I’d say, if I had to guess, that’s its a fan worm or feather duster.

Correct me if I’m wrong but aiptasia completely shrinks when touched right? The whole tube and all? The ones I have don’t shrink, they retract their tips into the tube and the tube stays straight

 

[GThompson]

Could possibly be a sponge.

 

[ScottR]

Correct me if I’m wrong but aiptasia completely shrinks when touched right? The whole tube and all? The ones I have don’t shrink, they retract their tips into the tube and the tube stays straight

Correct. Aiptasia will almost melt when touched. They completely retract. A feather duster will just retract into its tube.