Anyone know what these are

[dwayne.b.william]

Hi, I'm new to saltwater keeping and over the last 10 days cycled a 60 gallon tank with colony and 60 pounds of live rock. All levels are at zero and recently added:

3 Zebra Stripped Turbo snails
3 blue legged crabs
2 peppermint shrimp

I have some growth on the live rock (cotton ball stuff, green sticks, etc) and need help knowing if I should be concerned

 

[BigKid4788]

Looks like algae, aptasia and sponges

 

[dwayne.b.william]

Wow that was fast. Thanks. Just worried that I had fungus or something else more harmful. Hopefully the shrimp will deal with the aptasia

 

[StrangeDejavu]

Do yourself a favor and take care of the aiptasia now before it becomes a problem.

 

[dwayne.b.william]

Do yourself a favor and take care of the aiptasia now before it becomes a problem.

Thanks. I was thinking of giving the shrimp a couple weeks to find and decide if they find it appetizing. Failing that, I would go the aiptasia-x route.

 

[Supurderek]

Just make sure to not feed the shrimp so they find the aiptasia tastier :).

 

[dwayne.b.william]

Thanks supurderek, great advice

 

[reeftanker17]

Thanks. I was thinking of giving the shrimp a couple weeks to find and decide if they find it appetizing. Failing that, I would go the aiptasia-x route.

I have spotted 1 aiptasia and now a second.... I was going to try the lemon juice route.... first time dealing with it though! Good luck!

 

[dwayne.b.william]

I have spotted 1 aiptasia and now a second.... I was going to try the lemon juice route.... first time dealing with it though! Good luck!

I have found three since I posted and sure there are more beyond my line of sight. If you do go through with the idea of using lemon juice let me know the outcome. Wouldn't it mess with the acidity of the tank?

 

[Supurderek]

The minute amount of lemon juice would not change the ph with any ill effect. I would still go with maybe two more shrimps. Sometimes fish stores have some aiptasia on rocks. You can always see if they will take the aiptasia and toss it in the peppermint tank to see which ones eat!

 

[dwayne.b.william]

I'll throw in a couple more as suggested and see what happens. Fingers crossed I see some positive action.

 

[Supurderek]

Also forgot to mention; the top algae is known as Neomeris annulata. It can grow up in bunches. It is easily to keep trimmed just by pulling them but they can spread, albeit slowly.

 

[dwayne.b.william]

Also forgot to mention; the top algae is known as Neomeris annulata. It can grow up in bunches. It is easily to keep trimmed just by pulling them but they can spread, albeit slowly.

This forum is great. Do they grow much taller than they are now or do they harm the fish or environment any?

 

[runzwithscissors]

Just another thought, I would pounce on it with aiptasia X now before they spread. Shrimp can be hit or miss.

 

[dwayne.b.william]

I just ordered some through Amazon. Give it 2 days to see if any action. If not, the I'll use it. I assume brand names don't matter? The one I got was made by red sea.

 

[reeftanker17]

I have found three since I posted and sure there are more beyond my line of sight. If you do go through with the idea of using lemon juice let me know the outcome. Wouldn't it mess with the acidity of the tank?

Sure will man I will post 2morrow night about what I see

 

[reeftanker17]

I have found three since I posted and sure there are more beyond my line of sight. If you do go through with the idea of using lemon juice let me know the outcome. Wouldn't it mess with the acidity of the tank?

Ok I just got a syringe in from the pharmacy and some concentrated lemon juice in the lemon container.... I filled the syringe like a 1/3rd full.... turned off my flow in the tank and stabbed the aiptasia and let a rip.... they recoiled and haven't returned...... I will keep an eye on them 2morrow and the next few days and let you know if they come back

 

[dwayne.b.william]

Cool!! Thanks for getting back. Will give it a try

 

[ss95003]

Also forgot to mention; the top algae is known as Neomeris annulata. It can grow up in bunches. It is easily to keep trimmed just by pulling them but they can spread, albeit slowly.

I agree with this, it is also a calcium based algae you can actually see the stunted and accelerated growth based on calcium levels.
I also agree aiptasia in the second photo and harmless sponges in last photos.

 

[dwayne.b.william]

Thanks!