Identification Help!

[FishyDP]

This is my first post on R2R.. just started keeping a reef tank in the last 4 months, so please excuse me if this seems like a beginner question..but I guess it is.

I picked up a colony of long stalk zoa's yesterday. I noticed an unidentified polyp sticking out from the colony. I thought it was aiptasia at first, but the stalk is identical to the zoa stalks and is connected to the the main base of the zoas.. the one in the middle that doesn't belong with the others, what is it? At closer look it looks like it is another polyp, and the skirt got really long, does this happen?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

#WelcometoR2R
My first impression is possibly a Majano anemone, they sometimes get that bright green color. We'll see what others have to say

 

[KJ]

A+^^

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[WV Reefer]

Welcome to R2R!

#WelcometoR2R
My first impression is possibly a Majano anemone, they sometimes get that bright green color. We'll see what others have to say

I concur.

 

[Flexin]

Welcome!

He snuck in there didn't he...

Just a note, there are not long stalk Zoas. They tend to do that if they need more light and then reach for it.

 

[FishyDP]

Wow, glad I joined this forum. My question was answered within an hour! KJ's picture is very close to what it looks like up close.. that's funny it looks a lot like a zoa. If it's not harmful(?) I'm keeping it, it looks cool.

Maybe this should be a separate post, regarding "long stalk" zoas.. I read some stuff online that there are long stalk species of zoas/palys.. and many other posts that they are just stretching for light. The LFS I purchased them from said they were stretching, he had them at the bottom of an 18" shallow tank. If they are indeed stretching for light, will they go back down to normal stalk length once adjusted to sufficient light?

Thanks for everyone's response regarding the original question.

 

[Flexin]

If you turn the light up over time they will flatten out. The hard part is considering what that will do the anything else in the tank So go slow with changes.

A note, anemones in general move around. These also multiply quickly and can start as desired and end up all over the place and hard to remove. So research and determine if you really want to keep it knowing the long term challenges/commitment.

 

[nickeg79]

Majano? Looks similar

 

[FishyDP]

Great info/advice Flexin. I guess I have some decisions to make with that anemone.

 

[Flexin]

Great info/advice Flexin. I guess I have some decisions to make with that anemone.

In my first tank that’s what I wanted . Different one, got lucky they multiply like rabbits. So many I have to remove them and give them away. Over time it’s become a chore. In my second tank I’ve refused to add them. They are beautiful, they do require a bit of commitment.

 

[BedrockIOMC]

Dang he is hide really well.