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Goldnugget Goldnugget
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 11:34
Reef Critters #1
Hi all,

Need a little help identifying these critters I've spotted.

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There are two different types of polyp on the rock, the green one's to the right and the purple one's to the left, any idea what they are? Good or bad?

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I think this is parazoanthus, but could be wrong. Again any idea what it is and if its good or bad?

Also seen some very small starfish, and a couple of yellow snail like blobs wandering around.

There also appears to be things which I can only describe as looking like brine shrimp attached to rocks by a stalk, very tiny so no pics, are these a type of filter feeding worm?

Thanks!!!
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pajawa pajawa
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 11:45
Re: Reef Critters #2
The one's on the left are Button Polyps (Protopalythoa species), the one's on the right are Zoanthids (Zoanthus species) - good times.

The final pic looks like Aiptasia to me - bad times.

The star you mention sound like either baby Brittle Stars, more good times, or Asterina Stars - bad times but some are fine.

Don't know about the blobs and brine - need another description
~ Paul
Goldnugget Goldnugget
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 11:46
Re: Reef Critters #3
What should I do about the aiptasia? Is it harmful???

Will the zoanthids open up more than they are now? I also noticed they flouresce(sp!) at night under the moonlights, really vibrant green, really beautiful!

Cheers!
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pajawa pajawa
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 11:54
Re: Reef Critters #4
Yes, Aiptasia will multiply if not treated and sting corals. You're best to treat with Joe's Juice or something similar to kill the anemone.

You're polyps should open up over time - assuming these are new to your tank. However, most Asterina Stars eat Zoas, (some are algae eaters). I always remove them to be on the safe side.
~ Paul
Goldnugget Goldnugget
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 11:57
Re: Reef Critters #5
I've seen some brittle stars, 2 in fact, one starfish on the back wall of my tank is more like a white blob with six points. A slightly darker patch towards the centre.

The brine things: A very small white stalk ending in a fan of tiny tentacles, it hasn't moved at all seems to be sessile.

The blobs: Yellow, slightly elongated with two sweeping white tentacles at the front end, move slowly.
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pajawa pajawa
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 12:08
Re: Reef Critters #6
Oh dear, it sounds like an Asterina Star. If it's legs are "stumps" and varying lengths it is. If you're not keen on getting rid - as it might be an algae eater, you're best to keep an eye on it. If it tends to stay away from your coral its an algae eater. Personally, again, I never risk it. Note they drop a leg in order to multiply.

The sessile thingy sounds like Tube Worms / Fan Worms.

Not sure about the last one, sorry. All I can think of is a Spoon Worm but that's a wild guess.
~ Paul
Goldnugget Goldnugget
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 12:11
Re: Reef Critters #7
If I can do you think it would be a good idea to put the star in the chamber I'm using as a refugium???
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smarttony smarttony
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Re: Reef Critters #8
agree with pajawa on the corals, nice freebies you got there, they will open up when they're settle and depend on the cycling if you're lucky not to have high ammonia etc. the second pic I'm sure is a manjo aiptasia and need to get rid of it now before it multiply. there is a new product out now called aiptasia X from Red Sea. It very simple I've used them as I've a few. Here is a video of it on youtube..

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oo3DZYdAD2Y

I had a asterina star and did'nt harm mine zoa but then again I've not seen it again since.

Tony
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Goldnugget Goldnugget
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 18:07
Re: Reef Critters #9
Hmmmm will deffo order some of that aiptasia x asap.

I've altered the flow of one of the power heads on the advice of pajawa to slow the current a little around the zoas and they've already started to open a little, the button polyps, two out of the six I can see are fully open.
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Goldnugget Goldnugget
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  • Posted on: 6/7/2008 18:21
Re: Reef Critters #10
Ok next critter.

Just seen something crawling along the live rock at the back of the tank.

Too small for a photo so I'll do my best to describe it, it has the body of a slug, is cream/yellow in colour, just behind its head (where there are two antennae) there is a "shell" resembling the back of a wood louse. Its camouflage is excellent, the shell is the same colour as the rock and has patches of red mimicking coralline growth. Any ideas???
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