What Kind of Coral Is This?

Key Of David · 12-20-2004, 11:12 PM

I just purchased my first piece of live rock today from the LFS. I only got a couple lbs as I don't have a place to cycle rock yet. Even though this is supposed to be cured rock I don't want to take any chances as I have two beautiful little ocellaris tank bred and raised clownfish in there already. The rock looks excellent with lots of purple coralline algae and great looking red algae in spots. I don't know if the red algae is "bad" or not but it looks to good to be "bad".

Anyway my question is I found a brownish/light green baby coral on the bottom of the rock. When I placed the rock in the water it moved from its spot to another one, changing shape a little on the way. It then turned into a ball and tentacles came out of the middle top of it...like a spider was coming out of it. A few minutes later it seemed to practically turn inside out and has a HUGE amount of tentacles flowing in the current. They look like they have red "tips". It reminds me of an anemone but there is a round spot in the middle that has no tentacles. I don't have any pics yet and its so small I don't know if I can get a good one.

Does anyone have any idea what it is?

Key Of David · 12-20-2004, 11:15 PM

OOPS! Just realized I posted this in the "fish only" section.....feel free to move it if you want.

Key Of David · 12-23-2004, 08:55 PM

No ideas? It has since moved to the very top of the rock so it must like as much light as it can get.

**Ninong** · 12-23-2004, 09:55 PM

Are you sure it's a coral?

Samper · 12-24-2004, 10:31 AM

I think you have an anemone. eh George? From what you describe I think that's most likely the case.

That spot in the middle with no tentacles is most likely the mouth. See if it has a feeding reaction to a small piece of shrimp or something.

Key Of David · 12-24-2004, 08:27 PM

Well after doing some research I found out its definately an aptasia anenome and something I do not want in my tank. I really really hated to do anything to it as it was a living thing but I had no other choice. I heated a butter knife in boiling water, took the rock out of the tank, placed it on a paper plate/paper towel, and "burned" it with the knife repeatedly to make sure I killed it. It felt very cruel as I don't do things like that but again I didn't have another choice. Any pet stores that would have carried Joe's Juice are closed and I didn't have anything else to kill it with and it needed it OUT NOW, from what I've read.

It may reproduce as it was wedged down into a crevice on the rock and I couldn't get to it to try and gently pry it off. If it reproduces I'll just set up that small 5 gallon tank I have with its little blue actinic light and raise the rock and anenomes in that, maybe.

Thanks for all the help on this forum I found a lot of information in here.

12-20-2004, 11:12 PM	#1
Key Of David Tenant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 66	What Kind of Coral Is This? I just purchased my first piece of live rock today from the LFS. I only got a couple lbs as I don't have a place to cycle rock yet. Even though this is supposed to be cured rock I don't want to take any chances as I have two beautiful little ocellaris tank bred and raised clownfish in there already. The rock looks excellent with lots of purple coralline algae and great looking red algae in spots. I don't know if the red algae is "bad" or not but it looks to good to be "bad". Anyway my question is I found a brownish/light green baby coral on the bottom of the rock. When I placed the rock in the water it moved from its spot to another one, changing shape a little on the way. It then turned into a ball and tentacles came out of the middle top of it...like a spider was coming out of it. A few minutes later it seemed to practically turn inside out and has a HUGE amount of tentacles flowing in the current. They look like they have red "tips". It reminds me of an anemone but there is a round spot in the middle that has no tentacles. I don't have any pics yet and its so small I don't know if I can get a good one. Does anyone have any idea what it is?

12-23-2004, 09:55 PM	#4
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 20,692	Are you sure it's a coral? __________________ Ninong

12-24-2004, 10:31 AM	#5
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,768	I think you have an anemone. eh George? From what you describe I think that's most likely the case. That spot in the middle with no tentacles is most likely the mouth. See if it has a feeding reaction to a small piece of shrimp or something. __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

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12-20-2004, 11:15 PM	#2
Key Of David Tenant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 66	OOPS! Just realized I posted this in the "fish only" section.....feel free to move it if you want.

12-23-2004, 08:55 PM	#3
Key Of David Tenant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 66	No ideas? It has since moved to the very top of the rock so it must like as much light as it can get.

12-24-2004, 08:27 PM	#6
Key Of David Tenant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 66	Well after doing some research I found out its definately an aptasia anenome and something I do not want in my tank. I really really hated to do anything to it as it was a living thing but I had no other choice. I heated a butter knife in boiling water, took the rock out of the tank, placed it on a paper plate/paper towel, and "burned" it with the knife repeatedly to make sure I killed it. It felt very cruel as I don't do things like that but again I didn't have another choice. Any pet stores that would have carried Joe's Juice are closed and I didn't have anything else to kill it with and it needed it OUT NOW, from what I've read. It may reproduce as it was wedged down into a crevice on the rock and I couldn't get to it to try and gently pry it off. If it reproduces I'll just set up that small 5 gallon tank I have with its little blue actinic light and raise the rock and anenomes in that, maybe. Thanks for all the help on this forum I found a lot of information in here.

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