Help identifying possible issue

[To(meany)Tang]

So I have a radioactive zoa and it's been in QT 2 weeks now. I never seen anything before but now I see what looks like filaments or branching antler looking brown strings grow off the coral and the plug. I'm new to coral so I have no idea what in the world it could be. Tried researching but all I can find is corals pooping or expelling (zoozee). They're opening like normal. This doesn't look like poop any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Stephen8169301]

@ISpeakForTheSeas

 

[To(meany)Tang]

@ISpeakForTheSeas

Thank you. Great resize!!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I don't know for sure, but I'd guess either a hydroid species (harmful/neutral) or a branching bryozoan species (beneficial/neutral).

 

[To(meany)Tang]

I don't know for sure, but I'd guess either a hydroid species (harmful/neutral) or a branching bryozoan species (beneficial/neutral).

I really wish I knew for sure. But thank you for your help. So if it is bryozoan is it beneficial? Will it grow a bush on top of my zoa and smother it?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I really wish I knew for sure. But thank you for your help. So if it is bryozoan is it beneficial? Will it grow a bush on top of my zoa and smother it?

Sorry I haven’t done enough research on these guys to know an easy way to differentiate them (short of busting out a super powerful camera).

Bryozoans are filter feeders that don’t have the capacity to sting, so they’re generally harmless or beneficial. If they’re bryozoans then the probably won’t grow on your zoas (I can’t rule out them growing into a bush like structure that smothers some zoas, but most branching bryozoans that I’ve seen tend to grow more like gorgonians, which shouldn’t cause any issues).

If you have a powerful enough camera/microscope available, you may be able to figure out which you have by taking a close look at the individual specimens (polyps or zooids) of the colony in question - the videos below give some idea for how to differentiate between hydroids and bryozoans based on look, motion, etc.

https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/728706/view/obelia-hydrozoan-polyp-feeding

 

[To(meany)Tang]

Sorry I haven’t done enough research on these guys to know an easy way to differentiate them (short of busting out a super powerful camera).

Bryozoans are filter feeders that don’t have the capacity to sting, so they’re generally harmless or beneficial. If they’re bryozoans then the probably won’t grow on your zoas (I can’t rule out them growing into a bush like structure that smothers some zoas, but most branching bryozoans that I’ve seen tend to grow more like gorgonians, which shouldn’t cause any issues).

If you have a powerful enough camera/microscope available, you may be able to figure out which you have by taking a close look at the individual specimens (polyps or zooids) of the colony in question - the videos below give some idea for how to differentiate between hydroids and bryozoans based on look, motion, etc.

https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/728706/view/obelia-hydrozoan-polyp-feeding

Thank you for your input. I'll keep an eye on it and see what it does. The zoas still have 2 more weeks in qt so maybe it'll show more. I'll be watching this video you sent very shortly as I'm cooking at the moment lol

 

[To(meany)Tang]

I don't mean call on you everytime @vetteguy53081 but you have been amazing help time and time again. Any ideas? Or could you second Ispeakfortheseas on bryozoan?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don't mean call on you everytime @vetteguy53081 but you have been amazing help time and time again. Any ideas? Or could you second Ispeakfortheseas on bryozoan?

Looks like Bryopsis pennata which is branch like and has to be removed by removing the root. As long as there is root structure, this will keep coming back. Safest removal is using tweezers and pulling each strand and removing the roots.

 

[To(meany)Tang]

Looks like Bryopsis pennata which is branch like and has to be removed by removing the root. As long as there is root structure, this will keep coming back. Safest removal is using tweezers and pulling each strand and removing the roots.

It does resemble greatly. It's in qt with 10 other frags are they at risk? If I pull the strands can I put it right back in Qt or does it need to be in its own tank? Thanks always vette :)

 

[vetteguy53081]

It does resemble greatly. It's in qt with 10 other frags are they at risk? If I pull the strands can I put it right back in Qt or does it need to be in its own tank? Thanks always vette :)

Not at risk- you just want to control them before they multiply

 

[To(meany)Tang]

Not at risk- you just want to control them before they multiply

Awesome! So glad I chose QT life over no QT. Even if a couple corals dont make it like my purple stlyo. All the polyps are bailing out and I can't figure out why but QT is where I learn so much so I'm here for the journey :)