aiptasia???

[Laeelin]

Just started my tank and I have what might be aiptasia.. I have ~5 of them. (TBS live rock)...

 

But the don't look like the ones I have saw in pictures. They are the same brownish color, but they also have a thick "base" ,not the long thin tube I see in pictures ... The tentacles have white stripes on them as well, also something I don't see in pictures. (If not for the thickness of the base I would think feather dusters)

 

I'm going to try to post images later today (borrowing a good camera)

 

Does that sound like aiptasia to ya'll?

 

Thanks

David

[TheCurriculum]

You will get some responces once you have the pictures up. From what you described it's a could be, but maybe not...

I've haven't seen any aiptasia or pictures of aiptasia with "white stripes" ???

[palaegic]

This close?

 

 

If so, you have aiptasia. Start planning your method of destruction.

[Laeelin]

There is no narrowing of the trunk in mine (stays as thick as the base of that one all the way up)

 

There are white (not lighter brown) stripes on the tentacles.

 

After checking the TBS form on Reef Central I'm thinking it isn't aiptasia. (at least not the same stuff people are talking about normally when they say "aiptasia")

 

In the TBS form people with them are saying that they are not having moving, multiplying, or stinging problems.

 

I"ll be keeping a close eye on them though.. If they start causing problems I'll be killing them. I'll post photos later today.

[anarchyman2099]

theres only one way to be sure... touch it:D...if it hurts then its aptasia (or some other stinging thing) if not...probably a feather duster.

[Laeelin]

I have touched it, and didnt feel a thing... I didnt plan on it, but I wanted to move the rock slightly and thats when I found out there are 2 more on the back side of the rock.

 

I thought that us humans didnt feel aiptasia stings though?

 

Am I wrong in that?

[anarchyman2099]

yah bc we had a HUGE aptasia problem in once our familys now my 10.(so huge that we scrubbed the tank and soaked the LR in clorox to kill it.) and in the process of extracting the rock those bastards stung the ever loving crap out of my hands. i had em sitting in alovera for 2 days.

[Six-Line]

I have touched numerous anemones and have never been stung. Generally only some anemones such as the antler will have powerful stings. If you feel pain from aiptaisa then you probably have very sensitive skin. That is no way to identify them by any means.

[anarchyman2099]

blah blah blah .

[palaegic]

Taste is far better guage of whether or not an anemone is aiptasia. Aiptasia are grainy and bitter - and your tongue swells up like a baloon. Another easy guide; if it's too big to pop into your mouth - it definitely isn't aiptasia.

Yes, I'm not serious.

 

I actually remember seeing an anemone that struck a chord based upon your description - darned if I can find a pic or a name. Unfortunately I also believe it was an Indo species. If you find out what they are - do let us know.

[kraphtymac]

Never been stung by an aiptasia either... could it be a Xenia (is it pulsing)?

[oldtimer]

If there are white rings around the tentacles, then may well be curlycue anamone. These have a symbiotic relationship with certain pistol shrimp.

Have not found them to be harmful.

[oldtimer]

Symbiotic pistol shrimp for Curley-cue anemone is Alpheus ssp. Good Luck!