Help identifying what's growing with my zoanthid??

[mwm5461]

Hi all,

I had a separate post that touched on a number of topics, one of which noted that something was growing with my zoanthid and I wasn't sure if it was a pest or whether it's how zoanthids grow. A member said it could be aptasia or majano so I looked both of those up and I really can't tell whether or not it is one of those. I included some more detailed pictures below so I'm hoping someone can help me identify what it is and how to deal with it, if need be. It seems to be growing from the base of my zoanthid frag. Let me know if I need to provide any other details. Thank you!!

EDIT: I immediately realized this should be under the Hitchhiker thread area, so I apologize I'm not sure how to delete and move this.

 

[flooddc]

Looks like aiptasia.
Here is a link to one similar to your.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...mical-eradication-which-do-you-prefer.111833/

 

[mwm5461]

Looks like aiptasia.
Here is a link to one similar to your.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...mical-eradication-which-do-you-prefer.111833/

Thank you. Based on the picture in that thread it does seem like it's aiptasia. I'm looking into some of the treatments like aiptasia-x which seems to have mixed results...I wish there was a concrete solution. I'm also going to look into the laser method. Seems a lot of people use peppermint shrimp but I wouldn't be able to safely keep one with a cleaner shrimp, correct? I also have 2 clowns, a rainsfordi goby, and a tailspot blenny if any of those play a card in whether I can have a pepper.

EDIT: nvm seems the lasers are super expensive so I'm looking into the super glue treatment as well.

 

[flooddc]

Thank you. Based on the picture in that thread it does seem like it's aiptasia. I'm looking into some of the treatments like aiptasia-x which seems to have mixed results...I wish there was a concrete solution. I'm also going to look into the laser method. Seems a lot of people use peppermint shrimp but I wouldn't be able to safely keep one with a cleaner shrimp, correct? I also have 2 clowns, a rainsfordi goby, and a tailspot blenny if any of those play a card in whether I can have a pepper.

EDIT: nvm seems the lasers are super expensive so I'm looking into the super glue treatment as well.

Skip the laser and wand method. Been there and done that. not effective, and will come back in multiple. IMO, manually kill with kalk paste, aiptasia x, etc. is a better solution and much more effective.
peppermint is a hit and miss. filefish is good as long as it doesn't eat you zoas. berghia (I have not tried). But heard great result for tank that overrun with aiptasia.
In your case, take the zoas out and throw it out or cut the zoas and put into a new frag of this has not been in the tank that long.

 

[mwm5461]

In your case, take the zoas out and throw it out or cut the zoas and put into a new frag of this has not been in the tank that long.

I'm slightly confused by what you mean for this. Are you saying to cut the aiptasia off?

 

[flooddc]

I'm slightly confused by what you mean for this. Are you saying to cut the aiptasia off?

cut/frag off the zoas only and leave aiptasia. Throw way the original frag plug.

Also, notice you have bubble algae too. Remove them before they spread.

 

[mwm5461]

cut/frag off the zoas only and leave aiptasia. Throw way the original frag plug.

Also, notice you have bubble algae too. Remove them before they spread.

Ya...I've been working on removing the bubble algae over the past few weeks. Couldn't the aiptasia just hitchhike with the separated frag? I'd prefer to not do anything that would slow the zoa growth.