Something on my candy cane coral frag.

Scott Ulrich · Nov 30, 2018

Any help on what this is and whether it is good our bad? Hanging off underneath better the 2 the coral heads. Small and looks kind of like a like a dandelion seed

Thanks!

Gary S · Nov 30, 2018

Most likely aptasia. I'd pull the frag out of the water if possible, and scrap it off with tweezers, and rinse the frag in a separate container of saltwater, before returning it to the tank.

cristata.reef · Nov 30, 2018

The "crown" is two conical to be Aiptasia which has a vase shaped tentacle curvature. I'd say a small feather duster

Scott Ulrich · Nov 30, 2018

Thanks to both for the info... Not sure if this info helps the id:

I pulled out the frag, tried to remove what I thought was it with tweezers, and rinsed before adding back to the tank.

However, when I put it into the tank it popped back out.... When I reach for the frag, it shrinks back or recedes into the coral. So now the frag is in a cup in the sump until I figure out what it is

Auto-pilot · Nov 30, 2018

I agree with Sono. It's a feather duster.

Cthulukelele · Nov 30, 2018

It kinda looks like a star polyp. Those tend to be plague corals in a lot of commercial aquariums. If it is a star polyp and you don't want it all over the place eventually a dab of glue over it will do the trick.

Auto-pilot · Nov 30, 2018

But star poyps don't suck back into their holes.

Cthulukelele · Nov 30, 2018

I was under the impression that star polyps receded when outside of water? I know the ones on my most recent frag plug did.

Cthulukelele · Nov 30, 2018

I agree that there's also a definitely possible that it's a feather duster. I was really asking that question for my own edification

Scott Ulrich · Nov 30, 2018

What ever it is, it recedes in the water... even if I wave my hand in front of the tank it sort of shrinks back from movement.

DoobDob · Dec 1, 2018

plus to feather duster

Cthulukelele · Dec 1, 2018

Yes I officially change my vote

Gary S · Dec 1, 2018

DoobDob said:
plus to feather duster

Same. Definitely feather duster

Gary S · Dec 1, 2018

Good find! Keep that critter alive!

Scott Ulrich · Dec 1, 2018

Thanks everyone!

vetteguy53081 · Dec 3, 2018

Worm feather duster. Another photo but less fuzzy by chance?

Scott Ulrich · Dec 6, 2018

vetteguy53081 said:
Worm feather duster. Another photo but less fuzzy by chance?

The next day after moving it to the cup, I saw a similar creature but out was a little lower... After that I haven't seen it again to get a better picture.

Here's the picture I have after moving it back. If you compare to the other one you can see this is a little lower down from the coral head.