Identification help (some kind of anenome?)

[Drimo]

The first thing is something I found in my QT tank. I noticed the "thing" a few weeks ago but have had great difficulty getting a decent photo. It is on the underside of the LR, out of direct light. It shrivels up when direct light is placed upon it. It usually reappears several days later. The "thing" has short tentacles that do not move around much, plus the direct line across its center leads me to believe it is a type of anemone. The LR is from my LFS and is definitely a hitchhiker.

The second thing is something I just found tonight in my main tank. It, too, is under some LR out of direct light. It also shrivels up with direct light upon it, but reappears 30 seconds later. It is light green in color and seems to like the water flow that passes by.

[Phurst]

The first pic, I'm pretty sure is aptasia. It's hard to see, but that's what it looks like. The second, I'm not too sure on. Could be a majano, but I couldn't swear to it. They definitely appear to be anemones of some sort, and probably not the good kind.

[Drimo]

I initially thought it might be aiptasia, too, and since I have been trying to identify it for several weeks, I was definitely researching aiptasia. But from what I have read, aiptasia multiplies very quickly, and this thing hasn't multiplied at all. It has grown in size, but no multiplication. Plus, it is not as thin as the aiptasia in this picture: http://members.aol.com/cotton62799/what.jpg Also, for this pic, it only resembles the shape, what appears to be a mouth structure doesn't look similar at all: Piotr Rotkiewicz's Photo Gallery :: Cnidarians (Parzydełkowce) :: aip

As for the second, could it maybe be some kind of green polyp? This yellow polyp looks pretty close, only different in color: Piotr Rotkiewicz's Photo Gallery :: Cnidarians (Parzydełkowce) :: ypolyp01 It doesn't look like this Majano anemone: Piotr Rotkiewicz's Photo Gallery :: Cnidarians (Parzydełkowce) :: majano

[lReef lKeeper]

yeah, the first is an Aipasia, and the second looks kind of like a small feather duster, or like PHurst said ... majano. i would get rid of them both just to be safe.

to see if the second is a feather dusted ... put your hand in the tank close to it and see if it disappears pretty fast. you might want to have someone watch it while you stick your hand or some tongs into the tank with a light on it.

[Drimo]

to see if the second is a feather dusted ... put your hand in the tank close to it and see if it disappears pretty fast. you might want to have someone watch it while you stick your hand or some tongs into the tank with a light on it.

Ok, thanks! If it disappears quickly, what does that indicate? That it is a feather duster worm?

[JustDavidP]

Whatever it is in the second pic, whether feather duster or polyp, looks harmless. Leave it be. It is NOT mojano. Nor is it standard aptasia.

in the first pic, the critter seems to have an oral disk of sorts. But I can't see it clearly. It could also be a harmless coralimorph.

Dave

[Drimo]

I agree, Dave, the critter in the first picture does appear to have an oral disk. I will try to get some better pictures tonight; I realize the initial picture is difficult to distinguish. Thanks!

[lReef lKeeper]

Ok, thanks! If it disappears quickly, what does that indicate? That it is a feather duster worm?

yes, if it disappears quickly then it is probably just a feather duster worm.

looking closer at the first pic, it does kind of look like it could be a palythoa of some sort.

[Amphibious]

I don't know how anyone can make out what is in picture number one. It is impossible for these old eyes to discern anything. However, the second picture clearly depicts a tiny featherduster commonly found in reef aquariums. Leave it alone, it's a good thing.

[Drimo]

I know the first picture was a bad photo, so I snapped a lot more tonight and came out with two excellent shots. (My wife has given me a Nikon D40x as an early Christmas present!) The first picture is of the "thing" in its closed position. It closed up after I repositioned the live rock fr a better photograph. The second picture is several hours later and it is fully extended. It's pretty clear and a good, detailed shot!

Roger that on the feather duster worm in my main tank, that is what I was hoping for. I will let it live peacefully!

[CarmieJo]

Congrats on the Nikon. I LOVE my D50! For the money I don't think you can go wrong with that D40x!

[Drimo]

Absolutely, Carmie! It is a great camera and it came with two lenses (18-55 and 55-200 VR). I am only just beginning to grasp its full capability!

[Amphibious]

Bless your wife!!! I'm now thinking Aptasia.

[lReef lKeeper]

yeah, not enough of a skirt to be a playthoa, so i am also saying aptasia. shoot it with some Joes Juice of liquid calcium.