Jan April 1, 2009 April 1, 2009 I was clearing detritus from behind the rocks in my tank with a turkey baster when all of a sudden a very pretty anemone floated out. It was clear, like glass, with a pinkish/peach center. The tips of it's tentacles looked like they were iridescent. They appeared to be glowing almost. It was swept away before I could get my camera. I tried flushing it out again but no luck. Any idea of what it could be?
extreme_tooth_decay April 1, 2009 April 1, 2009 (edited) Sounds like aiptasia, most consider them a pest. google it and compare the pics with what you saw. Edited April 1, 2009 by extreme_tooth_decay
lanman April 1, 2009 April 1, 2009 Look anything like the 'strawberries' in this thread?? http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=29091 bob
Jan April 1, 2009 Author April 1, 2009 Look anything like the 'strawberries' in this thread??http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=29091 bob Yes, yes, yes. These are the ones. I found another one. Are they a problem?
fosterspike April 1, 2009 April 1, 2009 they are not a problem and many people like them but i think they need a cold water reef tank......
lanman April 2, 2009 April 2, 2009 I have quite a few of them in my 24-gallon tank. In pink, blue, and green. They don't seem to grow so fast or spread so fast, that they cause any problems. bob
L8 2 RISE April 2, 2009 April 2, 2009 As dshnarw put it, they are the aptasia of cold water tanks. But these one's are nice looking. They spread fast, but don't tend to be a problem. Also very hardy. What temp do you keep your tank at? They tend to be colder/temperate water, but it doesn't really surprise me that they could grow in the warmer waters.
Jan April 2, 2009 Author April 2, 2009 As dshnarw put it, they are the aptasia of cold water tanks. But these one's are nice looking. They spread fast, but don't tend to be a problem. Also very hardy. What temp do you keep your tank at? They tend to be colder/temperate water, but it doesn't really surprise me that they could grow in the warmer waters. 79 degree F
dshnarw April 2, 2009 April 2, 2009 As dshnarw put it, they are the aptasia of cold water tanks. But these one's are nice looking. They spread fast, but don't tend to be a problem. Also very hardy. What temp do you keep your tank at? They tend to be colder/temperate water, but it doesn't really surprise me that they could grow in the warmer waters. There are a few different tropical species as well (Corynactis viridis and Corynactis carnea, for example) but, until very recently, they were rare finds as hitchhikers on live rock. Now, the rock they're bringing in always seems to have some. I'm assuming it's because they're diving somewhat deeper for the rock, in areas that get less light - thus making for better conditions of survival with Corynactis species. It seems like the tropical species are less rapidly spreading than the temperate species (probably because tropical tanks are fed much less in an effort to reduce nutrients).
Jan April 29, 2009 Author April 29, 2009 (edited) There are a few different tropical species as well (Corynactis viridis and Corynactis carnea, for example) but, until very recently, they were rare finds as hitchhikers on live rock. Now, the rock they're bringing in always seems to have some. I'm assuming it's because they're diving somewhat deeper for the rock, in areas that get less light - thus making for better conditions of survival with Corynactis species. It seems like the tropical species are less rapidly spreading than the temperate species (probably because tropical tanks are fed much less in an effort to reduce nutrients). Okay, so after doing much research I've determined that the anemones on the back of my rock are pseudocorynactis I've read more bad than good things about them. Does anyone have these in their tank? I believe the ones I have are from the Indo pacific because, unlike the ones from the carribean, these do not close when I shine a light on them. I have 3 that I can see. They are the size of a quarter. Edited April 29, 2009 by Jan
dtfleming April 29, 2009 April 29, 2009 guess it depends on your definition of bad. I know daniel and myself have been trying to get some.
Jan April 29, 2009 Author April 29, 2009 guess it depends on your definition of bad. I know daniel and myself have been trying to get some. So these are the same ones Daniel was talking about?
CHUBAKAH April 30, 2009 April 30, 2009 As dshnarw put it, they are the aptasia of cold water tanks. But these one's are nice looking. They spread fast, but don't tend to be a problem. Also very hardy. What temp do you keep your tank at? They tend to be colder/temperate water, but it doesn't really surprise me that they could grow in the warmer waters. Just curious, but have you had these before, or is this based on something you read?
zygote2k April 30, 2009 April 30, 2009 I'd stop worrying about whether or not they are bad. Be grateful that you got something nice on your liverock. It probably is a good sign that the rock and your water is healthy enough to support invertebrate life. In my experience with these anemones, they generally don't live for a long time in a reef tank because they come from deeper colder waters. They stay relatively small and eat planktonic foods, and unless you see them eat your favorite fish or multiply like rabbits, enjoy it while it lasts. There seems to be a trend that if we see something unknown in our reef tanks, the first thought that crosses our minds is "Is it bad?" We should do everything we can to encourage these mysterious critters to grow. Then we can study them and see what they are all about.
Jan April 30, 2009 Author April 30, 2009 I'd stop worrying about whether or not they are bad. Be grateful that you got something nice on your liverock. It probably is a good sign that the rock and your water is healthy enough to support invertebrate life. In my experience with these anemones, they generally don't live for a long time in a reef tank because they come from deeper colder waters. They stay relatively small and eat planktonic foods, and unless you see them eat your favorite fish or multiply like rabbits, enjoy it while it lasts. There seems to be a trend that if we see something unknown in our reef tanks, the first thought that crosses our minds is "Is it bad?" We should do everything we can to encourage these mysterious critters to grow. Then we can study them and see what they are all about. I'm not "worrying". I'm curious. These anemones are not dying. They are multiplying in 79 degree temp water. so I doubt they are the cold water ones. No, they do not eat just planktonic foods. There are two types as I stated in the post. Some that eat fish. Fish that are bigger than they are. I've posted my query because I need to make an informed decision about moving them or not. They are behind everything and it's going to be a HUGE task getting to them. I'd like to help them to survive. I also want to keep my livestock alive. Thanks for your opinion.
dshnarw April 30, 2009 April 30, 2009 Definitely not Pseudocorynactis. Those grow much larger and rarely (if ever) split. These are certainly Corynactis. But again, it's a tropical species of them. Just like there are seals in South Africa and seals in Hawaii, albeit different species, there are also Corynactis from tropical waters and Corynactis from temperate waters (again different species). The type you have will never grow large enough to catch fish. The only real issue you may have is their invasiveness - they may spread across the tank fairly quickly. But they will definitely not eat a fish. If you decide to get rid of them, please let me know. I'd gladly take them.
zygote2k April 30, 2009 April 30, 2009 I'm not "worrying". I'm curious. These anemones are not dying. They are multiplying in 79 degree temp water. so I doubt they are the cold water ones. No, they do not eat just planktonic foods. There are two types as I stated in the post. Some that eat fish. Fish that are bigger than they are. I've posted my query because I need to make an informed decision about moving them or not. They are behind everything and it's going to be a HUGE task getting to them. I'd like to help them to survive. I also want to keep my livestock alive. Thanks for your opinion. how many are there? How do you know exactly what species you have? Have you seen them eat a fish? If they are behind everything, why are you worried about them? Until one of them floated out from behind the rock, you never realized they existed. They certainly weren't a problem then were they? How many of your fish have mysteriously disappeared?
Jan May 1, 2009 Author May 1, 2009 Definitely not Pseudocorynactis. Those grow much larger and rarely (if ever) split. These are certainly Corynactis. But again, it's a tropical species of them. Just like there are seals in South Africa and seals in Hawaii, albeit different species, there are also Corynactis from tropical waters and Corynactis from temperate waters (again different species). The type you have will never grow large enough to catch fish. The only real issue you may have is their invasiveness - they may spread across the tank fairly quickly. But they will definitely not eat a fish. If you decide to get rid of them, please let me know. I'd gladly take them. I'll gladly share when and if I get to them. I'd really like them out in the open so I can enjoy them. I'll keep you posted. Thank you.
zygote2k May 1, 2009 May 1, 2009 I'll gladly share when and if I get to them. I'd really like them out in the open so I can enjoy them. I'll keep you posted. Thank you. Have tou considered that they need the relative darkness to thrive? Maybe by bringing them out into the light will cause them harm...
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