Algae, or...? Part 2

[PeterG]

A few months back I posted up some photos that I thought were algae. A few R2R members IDd them as sponge. Today I saw a thread about aiptasia and got a bit freaked so I'm posting up a few new images. Want to make sure I'm not dealing with something troublesome. I managed to remove one piece of rock and scrap off a small bit for closer examination. Also one shot one shot of some of the stuff in the tank.

 

[Crabs McJones]

It appears to be a sponge, is it soft and squishy?

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Not aiptasia. Unfortunately that is as far as I can go towards an ID.

 

[PeterG]

It appears to be a sponge, is it soft and squishy?

Hmm, already tossed samples. Let me get a bit more and report back

 

[sfin52]

I agree with the sponge.

 

[PeterG]

It appears to be a sponge, is it soft and squishy?

I suppose it is soft & squishy. I can squeeze the water of it and it flattens out

 

[Crabs McJones]

I suppose it is soft & squishy. I can squeeze the water of it and it flattens out

Then i'd say sponge They come in all goofy shapes colors and sizes

 

[Greybeard]

Sponge. Great for the tank. Enjoy.

If you really don't like it, get a small tiger cowrie... problem solved. You might check up on 'other' items that are on the tiger cowrie's menu... specifically, many soft corals and anemones.

 

[PeterG]

Then i'd say sponge They come in all goofy shapes colors and sizes

Thanks Crabs and thanks to sfin52 and FL Sunshine.
That's a relief. As a fairly new reefer I tend to panic easily.

 

[PeterG]

Sponge. Great for the tank. Enjoy.

If you really don't like it, get a small tiger cowrie... problem solved. You might check up on 'other' items that are on the tiger cowrie's menu... specifically, many soft corals and anemones.

Thanks Greybeard, not that I dislike it, just wasn't sure what it was and after reading a few comments on the scourge of aiptasia I wanted to be double sure. Thanks for the tip on the Tiger Cowrie, I'll have to check them out. Just cleaned out my QT after a successful isolation of some new fish and will be setting it up again in the couple days for some more new guys.

 

[mcarroll]

after reading a few comments on the scourge of aiptasia

I think this is literally a form of hypochondria – most of us go through it at the beginning. You can get the same reaction from "reading too much" about bristleworms, algae and other things too.

Nothing like in your photos. (Thankfully.)

There's not much to gain from worrying about things like aiptasia in advance of actually having them – at which point they become unmistakable.

"Worry: A misuse of imagination." -- Not by me.

 

[PeterG]

I think this is literally a form of hypochondria – most of us go through it at the beginning. You can get the same reaction from "reading too much" about bristleworms, algae and other things too.

Nothing like in your photos. (Thankfully.)

There's not much to gain from worrying about things like aiptasia in advance of actually having them – at which point they become unmistakable.

"Worry: A misuse of imagination." -- Not by me.

Thanks for putting things in perspective

 

[Greybeard]

Worry about Aptasia is pointless... At some point in your reefing career, provided you stick around a while, you're nearly certain to end up with them.

It's like worrying about dandelions in your yard. In my part of the country, anyway... they're unavoidable. Just deal with it promptly when you see them, and get on with life.