Coral Polyp Attached to Clownfish

[rogueshrimp88]

Yes, you read that title right.
So quick backstory, I've had my clownfish for about a year and a half. She has been using my toadstool as a host for probably a year or so now. She used to just hang out near it but sleep in the corner of the tank, lately though she's finally chosen to make the coral her forever home and actually sleep in it at night.
This morning was doing a normal feeding when I noticed something glowing on her left pectoral fin. Looks like a couple polyps broke off and are now attached to her fin. I'm assuming there's some discomfort as her swimming is a bit awkward, mostly keeping that fin extended.
Has anyone seen or experienced this? Is it a life-threatening issue? What can I do to fix it?
Parameters if needed:
SG: 1.025
Alk: 8.6
NO3: 15.7
PO4: 0.19 (I know, I'm working on it)

 

[KrisReef]

Possibly the coral got snagged on the opercular spine of the anemone. Often times these kinds of relationships are fatal with the coral succumbing to the invasion of the fish, who generally live.

The only thing I can think to do is to get the fish a proper anemone, but who knows if it would move once they settle in a spot they generally stay put.

 

[BryanM]

#fishmedics

 

[rogueshrimp88]

Possibly the coral got snagged on the opercular spine of the anemone. Often times these kinds of relationships are fatal with the coral succumbing to the invasion of the fish, who generally live.

The only thing I can think to do is to get the fish a proper anemone, but who knows if it would move once they settle in a spot they generally stay put.

Thanks for the reply. I'm sure the coral will be fine. Toadstools are practically bulletproof and it's not the first time an inhabitant has clipped off a polyp. One of my pitho crabs was sporting a green dot on his head for a while. I'm more worried about the clown. She seems relatively okay, but I'm not sure if I should take her out to try and get the polyp off or wait and see if it'll fall off on its own.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Yes, you read that title right.
So quick backstory, I've had my clownfish for about a year and a half. She has been using my toadstool as a host for probably a year or so now. She used to just hang out near it but sleep in the corner of the tank, lately though she's finally chosen to make the coral her forever home and actually sleep in it at night.
This morning was doing a normal feeding when I noticed something glowing on her left pectoral fin. Looks like a couple polyps broke off and are now attached to her fin. I'm assuming there's some discomfort as her swimming is a bit awkward, mostly keeping that fin extended.
Has anyone seen or experienced this? Is it a life-threatening issue? What can I do to fix it?
Parameters if needed:
SG: 1.025
Alk: 8.6
NO3: 15.7
PO4: 0.19 (I know, I'm working on it)

I’ve not seen this with GSP and clowns, but I’ve seen it with hydroids on flashlight fish.

I have a Darwin clown that’s been hosting in zoanthids and GSP for years with no issues, but also no polyp attachment.

 

[seabedoasis]

Are you sure its only attached on the exterior and not half poking through the gill slits? When clownfish host anemones they bite the tentacles, supposedly to build a tolerance for their sting. Maybe the clown did this to the toadstool and a polyp broke off and got lodged in the gills.

 

[rogueshrimp88]

Are you sure its only attached on the exterior and not half poking through the gill slits? When clownfish host anemones they bite the tentacles, supposedly to build a tolerance for their sting. Maybe the clown did this to the toadstool and a polyp broke off and got lodged in the gills.

You know I didn't think of that. I suppose it's possible given where it's located. She's also pretty aggressive with the toadstool, like most clowns. I haven't seen her nip at it but she certainly rams her very soul into on occasion. I'll keep monitoring. She is still eating so far. I'll try and get a video to give a better visual.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is bound to fall off the clown considering the amount of slime coat is has

 

[rogueshrimp88]

This is bound to fall off the clown considering the amount of slime coat is has

It's funny that you say that because it was gone when I went to record. You can see it caused some damage, maybe it was wrapped around the fin. Seems okay though. Sorry if it's hard to see in the video. She didn't want to show it off and my phone kept focusing on everything else. This is definitely a new one

 

[vetteguy53081]

It's funny that you say that because it was gone when I went to record. You can see it caused some damage, maybe it was wrapped around the fin. Seems okay though. Sorry if it's hard to see in the video. She didn't want to show it off and my phone kept focusing on everything else. This is definitely a new one

yes, it will try to establish a footing into the skin, which will heal over