Identification help

[Lea]

We have a 55g saltwater tank set up now for over 4 years. Trial and error. Reading a lot of forums. We recently acquired a bubble tip anemone and it is hosting our clownfish. YAY!!! Finally, this is what we've been working so hard to accomplish.

We also have a new addition to our tank and I am unable to identify it. I've googled it and to no avail decided to post it here. Any help anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kschweer]

Looks like an aiptasia. It's a pest anemone.

 

[VTek]

I am fairly new to the hobby (about a year in) but it looks like a rock anemone to me. Some look like a pretty cool addition to the tank but most people would consider rock anemone more of a pest.

 

[kschweer]

Here is some info. They can spread rapidly and "take over" a tank. Best bet is to get rid of it.

http://m.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=295

 

[Tahoe61]

I agree looks to be a pest anemone.

 

[dewboy1127]

Aptasia

 

[recess62]

Hit it with boiling water from a turkey baster

 

[Diesel]

Kalkwasser paste and woopsie doo GONE!!

 

[Lea]

Thank you, I will be removing it soon. It luckily is attached to a small rock, so it will be easy. Another question, as this is still new to me 4 years later... First coral came on the same small rock. Is there a way to "move" the coral to dispose of the pest? Or should I attempt to remove the pest? Or just start over with the hope that it haven't spread?

 

[Tahoe61]

Depends on the coral type, most corals are easily fragged or moved. If it were me and you have no other aiptasia problems I would frag the coral and remove the piece and be done with it.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Strange if its an Aiptasia, I don't see a stalk on it. ???

 

[Tahoe61]

Yes that coral can be easily fragged. Just use sharp razor or scissors, then either place piece in a small bowl of rubble in low flow area and allow the coral a couple weeks to attach, or using some fishing line to tie the frag to a piece of rubble. Superglue often does not work because the coral produces so much mucous.

Oh I am confident it's a pest anemone, degree to which you see the foot is dependent on flow, lighting......It may not be the typical Aiptasia we commonly see but it's a pest anemone none the less.

 

[4FordFamily]

Aiptasia I agree. Lots of variance in appearance with these guys.