Is it a Feather duster or Anemone?

smeac72

smeac72

New Member
Noticed what looks like an anemone but couldn't find any information in any of the threads. Didn't notice it until tonight on a live rock we brought 1 week ago, it withdraws into what likes like a tiny tube or hole in the rock, kind of like a feather duster. It has a greyish look and when out the tentacles looks hairy and is about 1/4 in - 1/2 in in length. Tentacles move independently inward as if feeding and then curls out. Does anyone know what this is and if its reef safe? Picture is not very clear but it disappeared again right after this was taken.
 
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saxman

Guest
It's an Aiptasia, at least from what I can see in the photo. Get rid of it pronto, but don't try to scrape it off as it will multiply if cells are released into the water. Make a thinnish kalk "paste" with a little water and some "juice" from frozen food such as mysis. Suck some up in a syringe or baster and squirt a little into the water in front of the critter's mouth. It will ingest the stuff and will die/let go in a few mins, then siphon it out.
Here are some pix to help you ID it:


 
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saxman

Guest
Because they can/will spread like wildfire, have a pretty potent sting, and can injure neighboring corals and sting your fish.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Because they sting other corals and spread like wild fire. If you don't kill them when there is one or two, they can quickly become 200.
 
deejeff442

deejeff442

Active Member
where is it? is see the crummy green plant in there .get rid of that too they spred as bad as the aiptasia
 
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saxman

Guest
IME, Halimeda (the green macro, AKA money plant) doesn't spread like crazy, and is actually pretty nice-looking. It's a calcareous macro that tends to taste bad to most herbivores. Being calcareous, its growth rate is dependent on available Ca.
 
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