Could be Aiptasia??

[Rich Creed]

I setup my tank in June of this year and have just recently added some star polyps and several cerith snails. After a few days I noticed what looks like aiptasia growing on the glass. You can only see them with a microscope because of there size. They have a long stem with a feather duster on top. Could this be anything else but aiptasia and if it is what could I do before it gets out of control???Thanks in Advance!






(55gal. with maroon clown, unknown anemone, blue damsel , 2-yellow tail damsels ,1-emarald crab, 2-zebra snails and 6 cerith snails)

[crvz]

it could be a whole slew of things other than aiptasia. without pictures, it's really hard to say. if you're worried about them, get a couple peppermint shrimp in the tank. They are pretty good and controlling aiptasia pest anemones.

[icebear]

it could be anything from very tiny algae filaments to tubiculous worms or even hydroids....

is it possible to get a picture?

[Rich Creed]

They are so small you can only see them through a microscope. I don't have a camera that could go down to that size. I guess I could just keep an eye on them. Does aptasia usually grow to a large enough size on glass to take a picture?

[icebear]

they will grow if they are aiptasia. i have been fortunate to have only had one or two here and there, so i really don't know how fast they grow. if i suspected aiptasia all over the glass in my tank, i'd be terrified to scrape them off for fear they'd settle elsewhere-numbering 100's or thousands in impossible to reach places. i guess it might be safe to keep an eye on them and just see what happens.

[Rich Creed]

I just looked at a picture of hydroids and they look very much like that. However, they are all so similar its hard to tell them apart. They just appeared overnight by the way. I guess Ill keep an eye on them and see what happens. Thanks very much for the replies.R.C.

[usmc2b2004]

Yeah when I first started my tank I had Hydroids for a while they will die off on their own. Kind of looks like a very tiny jelly fish?

[Rich Creed]

Thats good to hear that the will go away. Im pretty sure thats what they are.They look like a jelly fish on a stem. Maybe Im over paranoid but if it is something bad, Id like to catch it before it gets to far.

[aquawolf]

A little paranoia can be a good thing.

Here are a couple of sites I like to check out whenever I spot something new in one of my systems.

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

http://melevsreef.com/id/

HTH

[usmc2b2004]

That is a good thing that means you actually are paying attention to what is going on in your tank, Also a keen eye is never a bad thing when it comes to marine aquariums.

[Loverotties]

Things pop up all the time you have to always check!

[Twitterbait]

Honestly i would recommend removing them if there is any doubt. no point in taking a risk. keep an eye on your livestock and look for anything funny. a shot of lemonjuice from a syringe should do the trick.

[Rich Creed]

Thanks Everyone !!!!