Aptasia on a single frag, already glued down

[SaltwaterandLime]

I wish I could get the video to upload, but I'm fairly certain I have a tiny aptasia beginning between this chalice frag and its plug. It's been in my tank now for almost two months, with a good bit of that time spent sitting on a frag rack. It was dipped before going into my tank, and watched for several weeks before I decided to place it in a permanent spot. Now I'm regretting using the epoxy because I'm starting to see what looks like tiny aptastia peaking out from underneath its edge. Should I break it off the rock and treat, or try to treat where it is? Or ignore it and hope it goes away?

 

[MONTANTK]

Kinda hard to see but I would just take a little bit of aptasia x and just delicately cover it. I’ve done it a few times to some frags I bought, just try not to get any on the coral

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

 

[robertpdx]

Arrgh! I feel your pain. I dealt with this when I first setup my system and agreeing to use live rock as the store suggested. Aiptasia X works to knock them down, but they didn't disappear until I got a few peppermint shrimp. However, I have not yet kept chalice corals and peppermints might not be safe. I had to adopt out my shrimp when they started to pick at a trachyphillia badly enough that it was getting stressed and damaged.

I had an infestation however, you likely are catching it so early that the Aiptasia X will do the trick.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

After closer inspection, I'm afraid that frag wasn't alone. I literally want to set my tank on fire now.

 

[MNFish]

After closer inspection, I'm afraid that frag wasn't alone. I literally want to set my tank on fire now.

Man I know the feeling but aptasia x works pretty well and it is very enjoyable killing the little #$%^.

 

[Sparkymarc]

That doesn’t look like aptasia to me. Looks more like a micro brittle star. They like to hang out on frag plugs

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

That doesn’t look like aptasia to me. Looks more like a micro brittle star. They like to hang out on frag plugs

Someone on Facebook told me the same. I'm really uncertain

 

[Sparkymarc]

Someone on Facebook told me the same. I'm really uncertain

The first one is hard to tell but the one with the favia is a micro brittle star. Those are his little legs. I, almost, want to say both of them are.

 

[gtguy256]

Looks like brittle stars to me too

 

[Sparkymarc]

Just noticed you had a vid of the first pic. Looks like a brittle star to me. IMO, I would think you would see some damage to your coral if it was right underneath it.

 

[fachatga]

I’d also agree starfish

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

 

[PeterB113]

100% brittle star

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

So now what do I do with these peppermint shrimp I just ran out and bought while in panic mode??

 

[Sparkymarc]

Personally, I have no experience with peppermint shrimp but I’ve heard mixed opinions on them. One thing I have heard is that they will steal food from your coral.

 

[robertpdx]

I think they’re really fun to have in the tank. Great scavengers just keep your eye on them.

 

[Sparkymarc]

I hate to knock them because I know people who have them and love them. I think it really boils down to making sure they are fed.

 

[SaltwaterandLime]

They are kinda cute