Found in my refugium

Justreefer · Jan 9, 2024

Hi, I'm new to the forum but I've been reefing for about 6 years now. I have a 150 gallon tank that I bought and made everything else myself I have a 55 gallon sump that I sectioned off myself with a refugium. Which gets me to my question. I was doing my weekly cleaning yesterday and noticed something in my refugium and can't decide what it is? It is either an anenome of some sort? Or possibly a Duncan coral? I do have two Duncan corals in my display tank but I've never had any anenomes. So which also makes me question how did this get here. I haven't added anything into the tank in about year. So why is it just now appearing? I attached some photos any help would be appreciated. (don't mind it's a little dirty pics are before the cleaning haha)

Thanks in advance!

Uncle99 · Jan 9, 2024

Looks like Aptasia.
Very bad, remove it and any others you find.
They can let go, float around and they have an ability to reattach somewhere else.
They come in hidden on other substrate.

Cthulukelele · Jan 9, 2024

It is 100% an aiptasia. Scorched earth removal

Justreefer · Jan 9, 2024

My substrate was all added 6 years ago. It crazy that it's just appearing then. What's the best way to get rid of them?

Lavey29 · Jan 9, 2024

You can remove it, kill it, etc... but they will be back again and again.

Debramb · Jan 9, 2024

No coral expert, but set my spidey sense off! Aiptasia!!!!

Reefing102 · Jan 9, 2024

Justreefer said:
My substrate was all added 6 years ago. It crazy that it's just appearing then. What's the best way to get rid of them?

Agreed appears to be Aiptasia. There does appear to be some confusion. I believe by substrate, the other poster meant any surface not actual substrate. Basically it could have come in as a super tiny baby on anything (except for fish pretty much) that was added to the tank. Live rock, corals, snail/crab shells, etc.

TangerineSpeedo · Jan 9, 2024

It or it's cousins will be food for your future "Reef Safe with Caution" butterfly fish...

Rjukan · Jan 9, 2024

I'm a fan of the boiling water in a syringe method. Very satisfying and for me it's worked 100% of the time.

DiabloJP · Jan 9, 2024

I have a laser that does a great job.

Roatan Reef · Jan 9, 2024

F-Aiptasia works great, do not let drip on any corals though, as they will be literally Toast!

Also...best thing I ever did...was Peppermint Shrimp...no Aiptasia whatsoever now. Started with 4, only 1 remaining now, but still no Aiptasia. They work great!! And are cheap too.