Feather duster??

TylerJaid · 2026-08-20T16:38:18-0400

Hey all I was just doing some tank maintenance and noticed this little tiny thing on the base of my coral plug, I noticed it after feed as it was all the way out and would catch particles in the water than go back in and come out a minute or so later, is it hydroids or some kind of feather duster?? It is very small thanks for any help!

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Mr. Mojo Rising · 2026-08-20T17:03:29-0400

Its hard to see it but it looks like a clove polyp to me.

TylerJaid · 2026-08-20T17:06:12-0400

I was thinking the same thing but it does shoot in and out very fast almost like a aptasia but I know it’s not that, I have never seen my clove polyps do that. (On a side note do you know what kind of coral that is in the picture? No one has been able to tell me) thanks for your help!

Mr. Mojo Rising · 2026-08-20T17:12:00-0400

I'm not positive cause I've never had one, but I believe it is a kenya tree coral. Hopefully someone can confirm 100%. Good luck

BryanM · 2026-08-20T17:31:42-0400

looks like a kenya tree to me.

hard to tell regarding feather duster, but the description fits.

TylerJaid · 2026-08-20T17:49:48-0400

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So far right is a small Kenya tree, the one in question is on the left under the zoas it is something different I just am not sure what I haven’t been able to figure it out!

penfold2 · 2026-08-20T17:51:12-0400

I have a couple very tiny feather dusters that look just like that. They came on a frag and have a yellow-green fluorescence under blue light. They're very durable as I've brushed algae off the frags multiple times and they always appear again.

rayadog · 2026-08-20T20:14:23-0400

Agreed with the activity likely being a feather duster/worm of some kind. The coral looks most like a Nepthea from the pictures.

TylerJaid · 2026-08-21T01:49:44-0400

penfold2 said:
I have a couple very tiny feather dusters that look just like that. They came on a frag and have a yellow-green fluorescence under blue light. They're very durable as I've brushed algae off the frags multiple times and they always appear again.

I am hopeful that it is a feather duster and will leave it there and it does have a little fluorescence to it have yours grown at all? Thanks for the reply!

TylerJaid · 2026-08-21T01:51:15-0400

rayadog said:
Agreed with the activity likely being a feather duster/worm of some kind. The coral looks most like a Nepthea from the pictures.

I think you may be right on the nepthea I’m going to continue watching it grow, it’s has almost like a braid like pattern which is very unique from what I’ve seen! And I’m hoping feather duster and both hydroids!