Help ID nuisance..."something" growing on my Zoas

[keizo]

Hi folks,

I don't think this is "nuisance algae", but wasn't sure where else I could post to receive some help. I've noticed recently that a proudly propagating zoa I had wasn't opening up as much as it used to, and upon closer inspection today I noticed that there were tiny little "florets" that were growing on the "stem" of the zoa. I've taken the following photos and unfortunately they may not be as easy to see due to the photo quality, so I tried highlighting at least one of them. They seem like maybe they're some tiny cluster of polyps of some kind, what wanted to confirm / get some ideas from the community.

I'd also love to ask for any help / suggestions on what to do about these? It seems like they're preventing my zoas from fully extending / opening up as they used to, and it makes me sad.

 

[GSPClown94]

Can you get some pics under white light?

 

[keizo]

Sure thing. Here are some additional photos under white light, including various zooms

 

[Derrick0580]

Brown clove polyps??

 

[keizo]

Yeahh.. I suspected that they're maybe some form of clove polyps. If they color up nicely I guess that's a minor win, but don't want them smothering my zoa!

 

[vadryn]

Isn’t that a type of hydroid? I have a different hydroid bothering my zoas really bad, doing the same thing. They sting and keep them closed. I’m going to try manual removal with tweezers…

 

[Derrick0580]

Yeahh.. I suspected that they're maybe some form of clove polyps. If they color up nicely I guess that's a minor win, but don't want them smothering my zoa!

Don’t think they will color up other than what they are now. More of a nuisance polyp that will spread like weeds. Think they are called daisy polyps.

 

[keizo]

@vadryn I found this other thread after you mentioned "hydroid"

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hydroids-on-zoas-identification-and-potential-treatments.959438/
they seem to be a bit smaller in size than the ones I'm showing in the photos?

 

[jtroxel1]

Hey Keizo, I see it's been a couple of years - did you ever confirm an identity and did you learn how to remove them?

 

[Rjukan]

Hey Keizo, I see it's been a couple of years - did you ever confirm an identity and did you learn how to remove them?

Time flies, but it's only been a couple weeks... right?

I'm betting a type of clove or similar based on the first blue pic where the OP circled it in red.

 

[jtroxel1]

whoops! I looked at your 'joined date' instead of the 'post date'.

okay, I'm facing a similar frustration, I think. Here are my pics and post if you're interested: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/n...ke-presentation-spreading-everywhere.1083317/