Need Help Identifying a Possible Aiptasia on My Goniopora

[andyinfo]

Hi everyone,

I recently noticed something unusual on my Goniopora and would like your opinion. I saw something that looks like an Aiptasia (glass anemone) near my Goniopora, but I'm not entirely sure. Additionally, just below this formation, there is something white that looks strange.

Do you have any advice for confirming if it’s an Aiptasia? And what does the presence of this white area mean? I’d like to avoid any potential problems, so any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

The anemone is a "pest" anemone, which most reefers would refer to as Aiptasia (though it may or may not actually be from the Aiptasia genus). The white growth is a sponge - it doesn't seem to be upsetting your coral, so as long as it doesn't grow over the coral's flesh (skeleton is fine) and smother the coral, it should be harmless/beneficial:

Most sponges are completely harmless/beneficial, but some can be invasive and/or harmful to corals (thankfully, these are rare).

To tell if a sponge is chemically harmful: if a healthy, established coral starts closing up or looking to be in bad shape on the side closest to the sponge as the sponge grows closer to it, and nothing else has happened (lighting changes, parameter swings, pests, etc.) that could explain it, then the sponge is probably chemically harmful.

Chemically harmful sponges are very rare.

For invasive sponges: unless it shows signs of being chemically harmful or starts actively growing over and smothering a coral's flesh/polyps, it's harmless. These can grow over the skeletons of corals, around the base/stalks of corals, even up into the water column above corals (where they're over the coral but not growing on the flesh or polyps themselves), etc. without harming the coral at all - as long as the coral flesh and polyps can get food, light, and flow, the sponge is harmless.

Invasive sponges are moderately rare.

Invasive and chemically harmful sponges are incredibly rare.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi everyone,

I recently noticed something unusual on my Goniopora and would like your opinion. I saw something that looks like an Aiptasia (glass anemone) near my Goniopora, but I'm not entirely sure. Additionally, just below this formation, there is something white that looks strange.

Do you have any advice for confirming if it’s an Aiptasia? And what does the presence of this white area mean? I’d like to avoid any potential problems, so any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

These are in tricky spots but can be easily removed by using a syringe and injecting their CENTER core with a solution of kalkwasser powder mixed into a paste the consistency of toothpaste and they will melt away. Some use lemon juice which is not as effective

 

[andyinfo]

Thank you so much for your help! vetteguy53081 & ISpeakForTheSeas

I really appreciate your advice and insights. Just to be sure, are you confirming that the formation near my Goniopora is indeed Aiptasia? I want to make sure before taking any actions.

Thanks again for your support!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you so much for your help! vetteguy53081 & ISpeakForTheSeas

I really appreciate your advice and insights. Just to be sure, are you confirming that the formation near my Goniopora is indeed Aiptasia? I want to make sure before taking any actions.

Thanks again for your support!

Yes- its Aptasia

 

[code4]

I would leave the sponge alone. Unless it grows over the flesh of the goni.

 

[Reeferbadness]

Def aiptasia. If you want to try a pre-made solution (vs Kalkwasser) you can use F Aiptasia or Aiptasia X. Same idea - just apply a small amount directly to the aiptasia and it will shrivel and die off. Try not to get any on the Gonni as it will also kill the flesh where it hits. I would def kill these as you likely will have many more in your tank if you don't stay ahead of this. I've been dealing with aiptasia for several years in my 200g tank. Went the nudibranch method which took out all... but they came back eventually. Next up i'm going to get an Australian Stripey. Several friends have gone down this path successfully. F Aiptasia is good for spot eradication but is not a solution to the overall aiptasia problem that your tank will likely have for some time.

 

[encrustingacro]

Exaiptasia diaphana, commonly misIDed as Aiptasia by the hobby

 

[andyinfo]

Thank you all!

I really appreciate the advice and support I’ve received here. I tried a product from Tropic Marin, and it worked great. Your insights have been invaluable.

Thanks again!