Identify hitch hikers please

[Ivy]

This first picture is from farther back. Sorry about the image quality.
The critter is dark purply-red, and BIG, perhaps 4" . It comes
from a 'bulb' and has a longish stalk with the crown waving around.
It just popped out of the rock.


The rock has lots of these guys. Will they bother the mushrooms?



I hope they're good guys!
Ivy[/url]

[props]

first pic looks like aptaisia
not sure 'bout the 2nd one

[TNTCanada]

I have something like that in my tank they breed (split) like crazy I was told that it is aptaisia. It dosn't seem to bother anything in my tank. Some of my fish perch on it the shrimp walk all over them. I even have some growing next to me mushrooms and other softies. Dosn't seem to bother anything but it might be a difernt type then you have. I was thinking to pick up a couple Pepper mint shrinp to eat them.

[Ivy]

I have something like that in my tank they breed (split) like crazy I was told that it is aptaisia. It dosn't seem to bother anything in my tank

Hmm. The rock it's on came from an established reef tank. I'm
not sure the employee was supposed to sell me live rock from
there as it has what I'm fairly sure are mushrooms on it.

Assuming the shop didn't just get it in, it's not hurting the little
shrooms, so I'm going to leave it alone.

Will peppermint shrimp eat really honking big aiptasia? These
aren't little delicate guys for sure.
thanks for the advice,
Ivy

[Bob I]

Although the picture is not great, I would say it is Aiptasia. The rate it spreads kind of confirms that. The problem with Aiptasia is that they sting and kill other corals in the tank.
It should not be difficult to remove the rock from the tank, and treat it there. I had some once, and I just removed the rock and applied boiling water to the little bugger. That got rid of it and did not harm the rock. I applied the water to the Aiptasia without putting it on the rest of the rock.

Peppermint shrimp should also get rid of them.

[Ivy]

had some once, and I just removed the rock and applied boiling water to the little bugger. That got rid of it and did not harm the rock. I applied the water to the Aiptasia without putting it on the rest of the rock.

Hmm I may try that. I'm still cycling my tank. (Ammonia hit zero
yesterday, yay! Now the nitrites have to come down from an
alarming .8)

Will peppermint shrimp eat HUGE aiptasia?

Speaking of rocks, is it ok to rearrange the liverock? The lfs told
me never to touch them once they were in the tank except for
treatments.

tia
Ivy

[Bob I]

[quote="Ivy"]

Speaking of rocks, is it ok to rearrange the liverock? The lfs told
me never to touch them once they were in the tank except for
treatments.

tia
Ivy

I think it is fine to move rocks. I have found that when you do this, you will disturb dead stuff that was trapped behind, or under the rocks. That makes it easy to get rid of stuff you don't want in your tank.

[TNTCanada]

Yes pepperment shrimp should eat bigger aiptasia. I always move my live rock never had a problem.

[Ivy]

Mumble mumble LFS and their mumble mumble

thanks,
Ivy