Help with an ID.

[motocory]

Anyone know what this is? Crossing my fingers it isn’t a pest, but I don’t like the looks of it.

Thank you!

 

[rayadog]

Looks most like a free zoa or paly. But maybe it’ll open in a healthier manner to help rule out other possibilities.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I'm leaning towards it being a paly

 

[EnterName]

Zoanthid.

It's only a "pest" if you don't like how it looks

 

[motocory]

Thank you everyone.

So only potential death for the aquarist? No big deal. Jk

But really though, is the palytoxin a problem? Or do most ignore it? Handle with care? Etc.

 

[EnterName]

So only potential death for the aquarist? No big deal. Jk

But really though, is the palytoxin a problem? Or do most ignore it? Handle with care? Etc.

If you mess with them (e.g. fragging or purposefully removing) you should take proper safety measures (well ventilated area, gloves, and eye protection), otherwise it's a non-issue. The only potential hazard I see is if they start budding off polyps that end up in a pump. Depending on the tank volume the toxins are sufficiently diluted, but in small tanks you would want to run some activated charcoal from time to time and stick to a water change schedule.

Not all palys/zoas carry palytoxin, so it depends on the coral species and its symbionts. Oceamo's Organo-MS analysis can detect palytoxin if necessary, but I really wouldn't worry about it until you start messing with them purposefully.

If you want them removed, I would take the rock out, put some kalk paste on them in a well ventilated area until they are dissolved, rinse the rock, and return it to the tank. They sometimes retract and spit out water when retracting, so wear eye protection. Alternatively you can take a sharp knife and simply cut/scrape them off (obviously under the same safety measures). If you can't take the rock out, kalk paste or Aiptasia-removal products like Arka/MicrobeLift Aip-Away, Tropic Marin Elimi-Aiptas, or RedSea Aiptasia-X will get the job done as well. Depending on your tank volume you could run carbon and perform a water change afterwards for extra safety, but this is usually not necessary. I've had many zoas over the years, never had issues even though I know some of them contain palytoxin according to the Organo-MS analysis.