Green star polyp invasion reprecussions

[ToadstoolCoral155]

Hello, I am new to this website, so hello. I have a question on my mind however.

I have a 1 month old Green star polyp frag on my main tank rock at the bottom (two pieces stacked on eachother) and I have zoanthids and a Toadstool. My zoanthids are too far away to be affected and my toadstool I THINK is too tall to suffer if so, and I don't think I'll ever add anymore coral since it is a small tank.

What are the potential reprecussions if the green star polyps took over my tank?

(Slightly older image)

 

[SPR1968]

Well it will be a very green tank for starters lol!

I actually like this stuff as it provides movement in the reef but it’s personal preference. It does spread very well if left unchecked.

And welcome to R2R by the way, it’s great to have you join us!

 

[Kellie in CA]

It's kind of a pain, but I keep mine in check by scraping it back every two weeks with some long (15") tweezers.

 

[ToadstoolCoral155]

Well it will be a very green tank for starters lol!

I actually like this stuff as it provides movement in the reef but it’s personal preference. It does spread very well if left unchecked.

And welcome to R2R by the way, it’s great to have you join us!

Thank you for the reply, and also thanks for the welcoming to the website. Seeing the replies so far, I will likely let it go on to grow unchecked. It's near the bottom of the tank so I doubt an entire takeover, the only issue might arise when it spreads to my toadstool. Other than that though, I was just seeing if theres any potential consequences I didn't see coming
Thank you very much.

 

[Clueless Reefer]

I'm not sure how aggressive they will be towards the other corals but they spread in similar fashion to majano anemone's...which is quickly. You can always try some Joe's Juice to control them on a per-polyp basis and see how that goes.

 

[Fin]

I wouldn't let it grow on my main rock structure. I generally place it on a separate rock towards the bottom front of the tank. When it starts growing off of the rock, I take it out and trim it. I have also used it to completely cover my back glass. I too like the color and movement it offers, but it is too problematic for me to just let it grow unchecked anywhere.

 

[mfinn]

It can really spread over rock. Once it gets a foothold on rock it can be difficult to remove.
I like it. I've had it in most of my tanks over the years.
I've found when it does start growing up a leather corals stalk, it's very easy to peel off.

 

[jd371]

Since my rocks are stacked and not glued together I was able to remove the rock my GSP was on and isolate it in the corner away from the main rock work. It has since spread onto the back glass and spreading, it's easier to scrape off the glass but I love the movement so I'm letting it spread. I had some Xenia that was also on the back glass and the GSP smothered them as it was growing so your Toadstool should be okay but I wouldn't let them get near the Zoas.

My Wrasse loves to lounge on the GSP. This is when it was first starting to spread to the
back glass. Now all that glass behind the Wrasse all the way to the top of the tank is covered in GSP.

 

[ToadstoolCoral155]

Since my rocks are stacked and not glued together I was able to remove the rock my GSP was on and isolate it in the corner away from the main rock work. It has since spread onto the back glass and spreading, it's easier to scrape off the glass but I love the movement so I'm letting it spread. I had some Xenia that was also on the back glass and the GSP smothered them as it was growing so your Toadstool should be okay but I wouldn't let them get near the Zoas.

My Wrasse loves to lounge on the GSP. This is when it was first starting to spread to the
back glass. Now all that glass behind the Wrasse all the way to the top of the tank is covered in GSP.

Maybe I'll just buy some live rock to isolate it next time I pick up water along with some hermits. One polyp has finally grown on the main piece of the live rock, but it is a location where it can't spread to the rest like one might think. Also for some reference, I highlited where the first polyp has grown. The rock structure is the same but the picture is way older, my toadstool isn't doing as well as it used to, But you can see how it would have difficulty growing I think were it to invade.

 

[OriginalUserName]

GSP can really spread.

View attachment gsp madness.jpg

View attachment gsp madness.jpg

 

[Biokabe]

Echoing the other sentiments here - GSP are really aggressive. Super, incredibly aggressive. About the only thing that keeps them in check is sweepers or manual removal. If they can get a foothold on a rock - and don't underestimate how capable they are of doing so - they will not let go unless you get out the big guns.

If you like them (and in moderation, I don't think anyone really hates them), you really need to isolate them in some way so that you can easily keep them in check... or surround them with aggressive corals like galaxea, acan echinatata, or euphyllia.

 

[Dennis McGrath]

I've got some in each of my tanks on a separate rock on the bottom surrounded by sand. So far, it's just on those rocks and hasn't spread.

 

[ToadstoolCoral155]

Thank you for the information. I'm just going to be safe and get two pieces of live rock, one for my toadstool and one for my gsp's and just call it a day. There is one small polyp growing(still transparent, really young) growing on the rock, just one however.

 

[Philt56]

My whole back glass is covered and the overflow it even covers my return nozzle. I trade in rocks to my LFS and he giv s me some credit.

I already took all fish and coral out of this tank and moved to a new Red Sea 425xl. I’m planning to empty the old tank and keep the rock alive in another tank while cleaning this one. Debating on just taking it outside and filling with fresh water and some bleach to eliminate the gsp and coralline that has covered the glass back and sides (actually acrylic tank). Does this sound reasonable?

 

[RtomKinMad]

We have it all over our tank. Lov the color and movement but it grows fast and can take over smaller corals and zoas. We trim it back sometimes. Grows well on the overflows.