Can you identify this? Is it a type of coral?

[tirtza]

Hello! I'm very new saltwater aquariums. I just started my first one and have only been in the cycling phase for a little over two weeks now. So far my water parameters have been excellent. Because I'm so new saltwater, I intended on having a 'fish only' aquarium until I become more experienced. To my surprise, about a week ago I noticed what I think might be coral growing on one of my live rocks (it's the orange/red bowl shaped things with a white center). It's been really thriving, growing larger and more popping up each day. I have no idea if it's coral or something else. I've posted a picture, and would really appreciate if anyone could identify it. If it is coral I'd like to try and keep it alive. What's the best method of taking care of it? How should I adjust my lighting schedule if it turns out to be coral?

 

[flower]

It looks like majano anemones, you kill them the same way as aptasia..They don't sting like aptasia nor look as bad, they resemble polyps. They divide in two and grow....chocolate chip or red general starfish love to eat them, and will mow them down. Since you want fish only...I say let them grow and when you are ready for fish you can get a chocolate or red general star for your tank. They are a pretty hardy, and really cool looking starfish..

 

[tirtza]

Thanks for the info. I looked up magano anemones and it sounds like they are considered a 'pest'. The images of other majano anemones looked like they had tenticles. Is there a chance that these are something different? If I decide to leave them, would the majano do any harm to the tank (aside from killing any coral)? When I'm ready for fish, if I chose to get a red general star, what would it eat after it killed off the majano?

 

[tirtza]

I've tried to take a better pic... hopefully this helps!

 

[mx#28]

Looks like a zoanthid sans tentacles. Do you have peppermint shrimp or simliar in the tank?

 

[btldreef]

I think they're a palythoa.
Poke it, do they suck into the rocks or just close?

 

[1guydude]

deff not a pest! U got urself a free coral!
Could be paly or zoo....they are so closely related! Looks to be a paly to me though!

 

[teresaq]

not majano. they look more like little bubble tip anemones. Those are either Zoa or button polps. Very cool. What kind of lights are you running. They should do fine.

 

[spanko]

Agree here probably Protopalythoa sp.
Here is a picture of some for comparison to yours.

 

[tirtza]

Yes! That is exactly what they look like! You guys are right, I did a little research based on what you said and they fit the description of Protopalythoa ''Button Polyp' in the Zoanthidae family. I found some information on it on the website http://www.aquariumdomain.com/viewCoralSpecies.php?coral_id=8
Questions:
1. When the description said that they "have the ability to sting other animals and are semi-aggressive", does this mean that they will harm any fish?
2. Since I'm just a little over week #2 in cycling the aquarium, how should I adjust my lighting for the protopalythoa to grow? I have an Oceanic Biocube with LED moonlights and PC fluorescent (one actinic and one 10k). What will the protopalythoa need to survive?
3. Is there anything I should add (food, supplements, ect..)? The website I mentioned above suggested I add Iodine and perhaps micro-plankten or brine shrimp. What do you think?
Thanks again for ALL of your help! I'm so very new to saltwater and now I feel like I'm 'in over my head' with the coral that just popped up...hopefully I can keep it alive!

 

[btldreef]

They're not going to harm your fish and their sting is not very strong at all. Do handle them with care, as some species carry a toxin in them.
They're a very hardy coral and really don't need much to grow, I don't think you need to change anything, just let it be.

 

[tirtza]

Thanks BTLDreef! When you said "handle them with care, as some species carry a toxin"...what exactly did you mean? I also agree with your quote..."it's not a hobby it's an addiction!". lol

 

[saxman]

I found the thread...definitely "palys".
What folks are referring to is that many species contain palyotoxin, which is one of the most potent naturally occurring neurotoxins out there. Altho the most famous critters containing the substance are zooanthids and palythoa, certain crabs and fish may also contain lethal concentrations.
Typically what happens is a person handles the polyps, and wipes their eyes, lips or nose with the same hand without washing it first (it enters thru the mucous glands). Depending on the amount of toxin in one's system, the symptoms include:

[*]
Chest pain
[*]
Breathing problems
[*]
Asthma-like symptoms
[*]
Rapid heart rate
[*]
Blood pressure fluctuations
[*]
Hemolysis
ECG abnormalities
Muscle spasms
Increased serum enzyme level
Convulsions
Severe pain
Numbness in the affected area
Now...don't be worried...just be aware that one needs to take precautions when handling them. Your whole tank isn't toxic, nor will the polyps jump out and poison you. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling them and you'll be fine. Also, keep "tank towels" away from your eyes, nose, and mouth until they're laundered.

 

[tirtza]

I'm only at the beginning of my aquariums cycle, I think my tank has finally had a spike in ammonia. It's at .25 ppm as opposed to 0.
*What is actually considered a "'spike"? How high should I expect it to go up before it starts to convert to Nitrites?
*Should I let the tank continue it's cycle or do a 20% water change (so as not to harm the two damsels and coral)?
*This may sound heartless, but I actually plan on trying to get rid of those two damsels by giving them to my local LFS. I was careless and trusted my LFS guy when he said the damsels would be great for cycling my tank and that they were 'peaceful'...now I just want them gone so that I can have a 'peaceful aquarium' once the full cycle is complete.
*Is it even possible that the "palys" will even survive the cycling process? I hadn't expected to have coral this soon since I'm such a newbie. What should I do??
Thanks again for all of your help and expertise!

 

[spanko]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/387407/can-you-identify-this-is-it-a-type-of-coral#post_3409023
I'm only at the beginning of my aquariums cycle, I think my tank has finally had a spike in ammonia. It's at .25 ppm as opposed to 0.
*What is actually considered a "'spike"? How high should I expect it to go up before it starts to convert to Nitrites? A spike both now and in the future will be any reading of ammonia as your tank should always run at zero ammonia. Not telling how high it will go on the initial cycling. Too many variables, the condition of the rock and sand you put in, the fish you have in there etc. etc.
*Should I let the tank continue it's cycle or do a 20% water change (so as not to harm the two damsels and coral)? If it were me I would remove the damsels now if you think you want them out. This will be rather a chore as you will probably have to remove your rock to get them. This way you can get them out and then get your rock set back the way you want it a leave the tank to finish its initial cycle.
*This may sound heartless, but I actually plan on trying to get rid of those two damsels by giving them to my local LFS. I was careless and trusted my LFS guy when he said the damsels would be great for cycling my tank and that they were 'peaceful'...now I just want them gone so that I can have a 'peaceful aquarium' once the full cycle is complete.
*Is it even possible that the "palys" will even survive the cycling process? I hadn't expected to have coral this soon since I'm such a newbie. What should I do?? I would not worry too much about the palys surviving the initial cycle at this point. IMO I doubt they will be affected, but even if they are they are fairly common and down the road you may want something different anyway. I would just let the initial cycle complete and move on from there.
Thanks again for all of your help and expertise!

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///t/387407/can-you-identify-this-is-it-a-type-of-coral#post_3408923
I found the thread...definitely "palys".
What folks are referring to is that many species contain palyotoxin, which is one of the most potent naturally occurring neurotoxins out there. Altho the most famous critters containing the substance are zooanthids and palythoa, certain crabs and fish may also contain lethal concentrations.
Typically what happens is a person handles the polyps, and wipes their eyes, lips or nose with the same hand without washing it first (it enters thru the mucous glands). Depending on the amount of toxin in one's system, the symptoms include:

[*]
Chest pain
[*]
Breathing problems
[*]
Asthma-like symptoms
[*]
Rapid heart rate
[*]
Blood pressure fluctuations
[*]
Hemolysis
ECG abnormalities
Muscle spasms
Increased serum enzyme level
Convulsions
Severe pain
Numbness in the affected area
Now...don't be worried...just be aware that one needs to take precautions when handling them. Your whole tank isn't toxic, nor will the polyps jump out and poison you. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling them and you'll be fine. Also, keep "tank towels" away from your eyes, nose, and mouth until they're laundered.
good points on all symptoms. However, I would go and get some rubber gloves that go up to your elbows and make it a habbit putting them on and rinsing with water. Then you wouldn't really have to worry. In some cases if you have any deep cuts or abbrasions the toxins can or may enter into your blood stream. (cases have been reported). JMO

 

[tirtza]

Thanks Keifers! Rubber gloves sound like a really good investment. This coral sounds like its more trouble then it's worth. I don't really know a lot about coral...is a lot of it toxic like this? Later on down the road (perhaps in a year when I have a lot more experience and research under my belt) I'd like to get an anenomie (for the clownfish I plan on eventually having). From what I understand those things sting. How do people handle them?

 

[lbannie]

I have these palys in my tank too! One of my first corals....they are really hardy! They grow really fast, I've actually started putting frag tiles in the center of my colony and they grow on to it and now I have frags for my lfs!! As for the anemones....they need strong lighting, and if you have corals they can kill them with their sting. They can sting you as well, so just wear gloves!! Congrats on the new tank

 

[travelerjp98]

Quote:
Originally Posted by tirtza http:///t/387407/can-you-identify-this-is-it-a-type-of-coral#post_3410510
Thanks Keifers! Rubber gloves sound like a really good investment. This coral sounds like its more trouble then it's worth. I don't really know a lot about coral...is a lot of it toxic like this? Later on down the road (perhaps in a year when I have a lot more experience and research under my belt) I'd like to get an anenomie (for the clownfish I plan on eventually having). From what I understand those things sting. How do people handle them?
There is no coral that's more trouble than it s worth... almost all the popular corals are that way... yes, anemones sting! and very hard sometimes! People handle them by wearing GLOVES!!!

 

[tirtza]

Wait....I'm confused lbannie, did you mean that the corals would kill the anemone or the anemone would kill the coral? I am definitely purchasing some tough rubber kitchen gloves! An anemones sting could pass through that could it??