Are these aiptasia?

[bassinprof]

See the picture below. I'm new to the hobby and my local fish store sold me this as an "anemone rock". After browsing some forums I think it might be covered with aiptasia. If so, is the biggest concern that they'll harm corals, because I don't currently have corals in my tank, and I probably won't for quite a while.
Thanks.

 

[jburgi]

They look more like majano to me....one or the other...both pest anemones.

 

[geoj]

Need a better pic to tell if you can

 

[travelerjp98]

I say Aiptasia. And if others confirm, don't ever go to that LFS again... because they were selling pests as good things.

 

[jerth6932]

Horrible to say this, but if it really is aptasia, they didn't false advertise this as an "anmone rock"....... I find the sick humor in that......
Some look like palys, but then some of the sides look just like aptasia........ Heres your test.... touch them, if they retract "into" the rock aptasia, if not, then you are probably dealing with palys.

 

[bassinprof]

Hmm, when I touch the ones on the "anemone rock", they retract into their stems but the stems are still exposed on the rock. On the other hand, there are a few other anemones that showed up recently that seem to be a different species, and these do retract completely into the rocks when touched. Do you think the latter are the pest and the others are alright? Those that don't retract have short stubby tentacles, while those that do retract have more wispy, hair like tentacles.

 

[bang guy]

I think the ones in the picture are Majano and the new ones you are seeing are Aiptasia.
Definately need a clearer picture though.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/389779/are-these-aiptasia#post_3447068
I say Aiptasia. And if others confirm, don't ever go to that LFS again... because they were selling pests as good things.
I totally agree....anemone rock??? What nerve if they sold you a rock loaded with pest anemones and called it that like a good thing.

 

[travelerjp98]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/389779/are-these-aiptasia#post_3447121
I totally agree....anemone rock??? What nerve if they sold you a rock loaded with pest anemones and called it that like a good thing.
Same thing as a gardening store selling potted poison ivy and saying that it would look beautiful as a house plant....... sure would never go back there again......

 

[cipher43]

Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/389779/are-these-aiptasia#post_3447220
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/389779/are-these-aiptasia#post_3447121
I totally agree....anemone rock??? What nerve if they sold you a rock loaded with pest anemones and called it that like a good thing.
Same thing as a gardening store selling potted poison ivy and saying that it would look beautiful as a house plant....... sure would never go back there again......
I prefer Thistles for good looking house plants over poison ivy lol. I agree as well with not going back again. They must make most of there money off of people that just are getting started or still learning. (No offence)

 

[geoj]

Look and see if it is some kind of Palythoa sp.

 

[bassinprof]

I've looked at some other pictures on the web and am fairly convinced that the predominant species on the "anemone rock" is majano, given that the tentacles are fat and stubby. I also think I have a few aiptasia that came in on other rocks.
So here's the deal, I'm not likely to get corals anytime soon and before I found out that these are considered pests, I thought they were really cool looking. So what's the downside to just letting them be? Will they keep reproducing and take over the whole tank? Do they pose a danger to other invertebrates besides corals?

 

[jburgi]

They will take over the tank very quickly. I had an aptasia problem when I first started and a couple peppermint shrimp cleared it right up. I still have a lot of majano. I think they are neat looking so I haven't been too aggressive with getting rid of them yet...but I still have to do a some damage control every so often.

 

[travelerjp98]

Eh...... regardless.... it's better to get rid of the Aiptasia sooner than later. Even though, since your not gonna get corals soon, you don't have to loose sleep over it.
However.... you know the deal with that LFS- DON'T GO THERE!!!! LOL