White Growths on Rocks...

[Grizzat]

Hi, new to this hobby. 20 Gal tank is about 9 months old. I now see tiny white spots on the rocks and when I zoom in, they are little flower types. Can you identify and are they un-wanted? The flash took away the white spots on the top of each one.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Either hydroids or "Aiptasia" (both are undesirable) - I always struggle to differentiate the two when the specimens look like this.

 

[Grizzat]

Here are some more shots. They are really very small but they are sprouting all over the rocks. I also can't seem to get any soft coral to get started. Is there a remedy?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Looks like colonial hydroids. The best course of action is remove the affected rocks and chisel off the patches of hydroids being sure to remove the roots...