Aptasia question

[Sophie"s mom]

So a question, I have something in my tank, I am not able to get a pic because it is at the back wall, about 8 inches in, so no way to get close enough. But it is very small, maybe between 1/4” and 3/8”. Definitely has tentacles. But the color is kind of burgundy. Is there a chance this is aptasia? Or something else? I think it is attached to a piece of macro algae, so I can get it out if need be. I just don’t want to remove something worth while.

 

[Zach B]

When in doubt, take it out. I wouldn't risk it and rather just remove it to be honest if it's an easy removal. A picture would be the only way for confirmation though. Best of luck :)

 

[deafasa]

If you have any peppermint shrimp, they may take care of it for you if it is aptasia.

Jeff

 

[Jesse Sunday]

Burgundy makes me think majano anemone... Which means yes, get it out!

Trust me. With a 32g tank that has 1000 of them after only 6 months. Get it out.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Okay I took it out, hopefully got it all, no matter which it is I don’t want it. Thank you to all!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

So another question on this subject, when I removed the piece of macro algae that had the aptasia on it, I apparently also got some OTHER living creature, it honestly looks like a pile or bright red thread! But it moves, so I am guessing some kind of worm? Anyone have any idea?

 

[Reefering1]

Pics

 

[Zach B]

So another question on this subject, when I removed the piece of macro algae that had the aptasia on it, I apparently also got some OTHER living creature, it honestly looks like a pile or bright red thread! But it moves, so I am guessing some kind of worm? Anyone have any idea?

Sounds like a spaghetti worm

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Pics

 

[Reefering1]

So another question on this subject, when I removed the piece of macro algae that had the aptasia on it, I apparently also got some OTHER living creature, it honestly looks like a pile or bright red thread! But it moves, so I am guessing some kind of worm? Anyone have any idea?

@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

So another question on this subject, when I removed the piece of macro algae that had the aptasia on it, I apparently also got some OTHER living creature, it honestly looks like a pile or bright red thread! But it moves, so I am guessing some kind of worm? Anyone have any idea?

A bunch of questions here:

-So the whole mass moves?

-Does it move as a whole, a colony, or as individual critters/parts?

-Any chance of microscope pics?

-Is it possible it's spaghetti/hair worm appendages coming out of a hole/burrow in there?

 

[Sophie"s mom]

A bunch of questions here:

-So the whole mass moves?

-Does it move as a whole, a colony, or as individual critters/parts?

-Any chance of microscope pics?

-Is it possible it's spaghetti/hair worm appendages coming out of a hole/burrow in there?

So, I have since pitched it, unfortunately. but, this morning when i still had it in a cup, it looked as though legs (for lack of a better way to put it) moved independently, but it looked as though they may be legs of a whole. If that makes any since. It moved as a mass with legs, not independent of each other.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

it looked as though legs (for lack of a better way to put it) moved independently, but it looked as though they may be legs of a whole. If that makes any since. It moved as a mass with legs, not independent of each other.

That makes sense - so with whole mass moving, was all of it outside of the substrate, or could part of it (like the main body of a spaghetti worm, for example) have been burrowed inside?

 

[Sophie"s mom]

That makes sense - so with whole mass moving, was all of it outside of the substrate, or could part of it (like the main body of a spaghetti worm, for example) have been burrowed inside?

yes, honestly it was a COMPLETE surprise to me! i removed the algae plant in hopes of getting the aptasia out, undisturbed. and later that evening, i noticed the red legged thing in the cup as well. i did not even SEE it when it was in the tank.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

yes, honestly it was a COMPLETE surprise to me! i removed the algae plant in hopes of getting the aptasia out, undisturbed. and later that evening, i noticed the red legged thing in the cup as well. i did not even SEE it when it was in the tank.

If it was all out of the substrate, it may have been a clump of polychaetes (bristleworms; some species that I haven't been able to ID yet are known for moving as a whole despite being separate organisms, and they often form very complex shapes); if part of it was in the substrate, then it may have been a hair worm or spaghetti worm.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

If it was all out of the substrate, it may have been a clump of polychaetes (bristleworms; some species that I haven't been able to ID yet are known for moving as a whole despite being separate organisms, and they often form very complex shapes); if part of it was in the substrate, then it may have been a hair worm or spaghetti worm.

thank you, and i think ALL of it was in the substrate,

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looke like a spaghetti worm to me