Help Identifying Hitchhiker that is growing big

[kliv555]

So this started out small but is gaining size. It doesn’t bother me but I’m not sure if it’s invasive or will suck all the nutrients from the coral. In a 120 gallon.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Looks like an aptasia low on the rock. One will turn into many if not careful - you can pull the rock and super glue it’s mouth closed and it’ll disappear.

 

[zoomonster]

Agreed... I always have aiptasia-x around to eradicate any that appear.

 

[mjw011689]

Red slime (Cyanobacteria). Definitely sucks up nutrients.

wait, are we talking about the aptasia? If so, get a filefish or peppermint shrimp. I’ve seen lots of mixed reviews with aptasia x and similar. Some claim they went from one to 100 real quick when using that stuff. Others swear it works. I’ve never used any of those and as long as there’s only one or 2, either leave it alone or let a filefish or peppermint have at it. There’s also berghia nudibranchs that need aptasia to eat.

 

[zoomonster]

Used it for years and it just works when used properly. I had one pop up yesterday on something new and today its gone. Really large ones may require a second application. 1-100 with aiptasia-x I have to call BS on. I certainly would not go out and buy livestock for one aiptasia. Peppermint shrimp don't always eat them, and they can be problematic with bothering/eating corals. Berghia will likely end up in powerheads or overflow or die when no aiptasia to eat. Filefish are not really reefsafe and may nip/eat corals especially when they run out of aiptasia to eat. As far as 1-2 just leave them alone... now that's the perfect recipe to really go 1-100.

 

[Soren]

Is this the hitchhiker on which you want an ID? Was this live rock from the Florida Gulf or was it from a different source?

As previously mentioned, it could be an Aiptasia glass anemone which can be extremely invasive, but it also could be a similar-looking large lightbulb anemone which are found on live rock from the Florida Gulf and are not invasive or aggressive like Aiptasia.

It will be hard to give a conclusive ID from the picture, but I do see banding on the tentacles that would indicate the possibility of it being a lightbulb anemone rather than Aiptasia, since the banding is common on lightbulb anemones and uncommon on Aiptasia. When small, lightbulb anemones have a distinct lightbulb shape to the tentacles, but the look very much the same in shape as Aiptasia when they are large like yours.

On my Gulf Live Rock order a year ago, I received several lightbulb anemones. Many died away, but one remained and is about 1.5" across and looks much the same as yours. About a month ago, I noticed a second smaller one on another rock.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Aiptastia X usually works, but super glue is 100%. Gently pull the rock out. When the nem is exposed to air it will close up then cover it in glue and put the rock right back in. You can remove the glue at a later date if you don’t like it, but a lot of times it just gets grown over.

I would advise against getting berghia nudibranches for a single aiptasia - they will starve as soon as it is gone. They work great otherwise (they are pack hunters -probably need multiple to take down big aiptasia). Peppermint shrimp are hit or miss, but will scavenge their meal after aiptasia are gone.

 

[TnFishwater98]

So this started out small but is gaining size. It doesn’t bother me but I’m not sure if it’s invasive or will suck all the nutrients from the coral. In a 120 gallon.

If that’s Gulf Live Rock it’s a Lightbulb Anemone. It’s not invasive like the “glass” Aiptasia.

 

[TnFishwater98]

If that’s Gulf Live Rock it’s a Lightbulb Anemone. It’s not invasive like the “glass” Aiptasia.

It’s either a LB Anemone or another wild Gulf anemone. Neither reproduce heavily. They will reproduce obviously, all things do but I don’t consider a pest. They will bother corals they touch.

Most people immediately say Aiptasia. I’ve had them for over 2 years and I’ve never had a problem. In the future I might need to remove or move to another tank. I think their disk look really cool and can be very 3-d ish….

 

[kliv555]

If that’s Gulf Live Rock it’s a Lightbulb Anemone. It’s not invasive like the “glass” Aiptasia.

This is it. But it wasn’t from Florida live rock. But this looks very similar to what I have.

 

[kliv555]

It’s either a LB Anemone or another wild Gulf anemone. Neither reproduce heavily. They will reproduce obviously, all things do but I don’t consider a pest. They will bother corals they touch.

Most people immediately say Aiptasia. I’ve had them for over 2 years and I’ve never had a problem. In the future I might need to remove or move to another tank. I think their disk look really cool and can be very 3-d ish….

Yes this is what I have. Thank you. I think I will leave and keep an eye on it.

 

[JoJosReef]

It’s either a LB Anemone or another wild Gulf anemone. Neither reproduce heavily. They will reproduce obviously, all things do but I don’t consider a pest. They will bother corals they touch.

Most people immediately say Aiptasia. I’ve had them for over 2 years and I’ve never had a problem. In the future I might need to remove or move to another tank. I think their disk look really cool and can be very 3-d ish….

Well, now I feel bad. I eradicated one of these guys from my gulf live rock thinking it was an invasive aiptasia.

 

[MischiefReef]

Well, now I feel bad. I eradicated one of these guys from my gulf live rock thinking it was an invasive aiptasia.

Haha, you MONSTER! I’m calling the cops.

Anenome of my enemy is my friend!

 

[TnFishwater98]

I watched 2 maybe 3 species of gulf anemones that I received for a few months in quarantine tanks. They definitely look different between species and different for the “glass Aiptasia “…. They can get large/“inflate” with lots of light and food. I used to even feed them, they are always ready to eat. Never had any issue. Very controllable if you need to but I’ve never tried to kill one.

 

[TnFishwater98]

Not sure what anemone the last 2 pics are. I had one 3 or so years ago now I have 3..

 

[MischiefReef]

Not sure what anemone the last 2 pics are. I had one 3 or so years ago now I have 3..

Omg, ultra rainbow glitter anemone. $1000 per head! *wink wink*. In seriousness no clue. Look like maybe young encrusting anemones to me?

 

[TnFishwater98]

Omg, ultra rainbow glitter anemone. $1000 per head! *wink wink*. In seriousness no clue. Look like maybe young encrusting anemones to me?

Someone gave me a name of what the last 2 pics could be. Forgot what is was because I couldn’t 100% identify. Definitely one of my favorite wild natural anemones I got on LR. It really depends on how natural you want your tank to be. Some would probably get rid of some of the anemones. They will sting or bother anything that touches them. Again, I don’t feel any of them are highly invasive but are all very hardy. They will reproduce through time.

 

[JoJosReef]

Not sure what anemone the last 2 pics are. I had one 3 or so years ago now I have 3..

I question whether it is a nem. I have exactly the same, and when it retracts, seems like it has a stony skeleton.