Aiptasia Question

[Mikeaveli21]

Does it have a tube-like base? Meaning does it retract within a tube while the tube remains?

I noticed a cluster of something on an isolated LR, poked it and it retracted, but the tube remained. I don't believe it's a feather duster as it has tentacles not "feathers".

 

[Scuba_Dave]

No tube for an aptasia, they totally withdraw into a crevice

I have seen the tubes you describe I think, never bothered anything

 

[scavdog]

Is your rock carribean live rock? Do they have clear tentacles? If so, I have seen these guys before and they are pretty cool actually.


Here is a pic of Aiptasia for reference:

HTH,

Joe

 

[Mikeaveli21]

No tube for an aptasia, they totally withdraw into a crevice

I have seen the tubes you describe I think, never bothered anything

Dave,
That was my gut feeling, but wasn't sure if there was any variation. That will narrow my search. Thanks.

Is your rock carribean live rock? Do they have clear tentacles? If so, I have seen these guys before and they are pretty cool actually.


Here is a pic of Aiptasia for reference:

HTH,

Joe

Joe,
It does have a clear look to it. It's very tiny and in a group of about 6+. I don't know the source of the rock. I bought it from sea creatures in revere and they had come from an established tank. I've seen aiptasia before but this is so small I can't get a good look. Just want to make sure it's not going to spread and harm any of the corals. Any idea on what it is based on seeing them before? (if it is infact the same).

 

[davids1024]

If its mangano then you will want to get rid of it as it will spread all over he tank, Joes juice works great, I had a outbreak once and I still have to do periodic "killings", but Joes juice does the trick

 

[seahorse1]

I have posted a thread about aiptasia and received some good info. The two best differences in FD's and Aiptasia are:
FD's will only retract their feathers, Aiptasia will retract completely in a rock. FD's tubes are hard and stiff, the Aiptasia are soft.
I forget who gave this info, but it was quite valuable.

 

[OceanGuy]

The aiptasia will recoil back into the hole in the live rock. They will do this with a brief touch by anything. You can hit them with a squirt of boiling water and sometimes mix it with Kalkwasser or limewater. They will quickly shrivel and die.
If you have a not too deep tank the kind of ketchup bottle or mustard bottle that you see that are refillable for picnics works. If you want to get fancy, go to drsfosterandsmith.com or liveaquaria.com and order a Sea Squirt. This is aout $20 and allows you not only to rid yourself of aiptasia, but it also is great for feeding corals, clams, etc.

 

[Mikeaveli21]

Thanks for all the responses. Looking at it closer, it definitely has a tube and is not aiptasia. I'm waiting for them to grow out a bit and i'll snap a photo.

 

[Mikeaveli21]

Ok so here it is. I have circled the TUBE in which this thing retracts into. Any ideas??

edit: The only reason I'm going against aiptasia is the tube. Otherwise that's my guess as well.

 

[MAReefer1]

It looks like there just Palythoa

 

[OceanGuy]

It is hard to see from the picture, but at first glance it doesn't look like aiptasia.
As the previous poster said, it may be Palythoa or button polyps. If that is the case, you've got a bonus.

 

[rjdudek]

If the "tube" remains in the open it is most likely not aiptasia. I have always experienced them vanishing completely base tube and all.