Help with Pest (maybe?) ID?

fourty9 · Dec 19, 2023

Hello,

I'm a new reefer and I just got a hammer frag yesterday from my LFS. Before introducing to my DT I dipped with Coral RX for 5-7 minutes. During the dip I stirred the solution and blasted the frag with a turkey baster to try to get everything off. This morning I took a look and saw this orange thing on the side of the frag. Is this planaria? I thought Coral RX was supposed to kill planaria?

Also is that a new head/tentacle forming right above the orange thing?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Water Params:
24 Gal Cube
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 33
CA: 450
Alk: 5.8
Mag: 1380
PO4: 0.03
Salinity: 1.025
pH: 7.8

vaguelyreeflike · Dec 19, 2023

Is it moving? Are you able to get any better photos? Try shining a flashlight at it while taking the photo

fourty9 · Dec 19, 2023

vaguelyreeflike said:
Is it moving? Are you able to get any better photos? Try shining a flashlight at it while taking the photo

No, it doesnt seem to move. It hasnt moved from that spot all day. Here might be a better photo?

DaJMasta · Dec 19, 2023

maybe just a bit of sponge? If it's not moving (also check at night) it is not likely to be a predator. You could try touching it and seeing what kind of texture it had and whether or not there was any kind of reaction, but it's small enough that it may be hard to tell.

gtguy256 · Dec 19, 2023

Could likely be coralline algae that has lightened from the dip.
Yes that does look like a new bud forming

fourty9 · Dec 20, 2023

DaJMasta said:
maybe just a bit of sponge? If it's not moving (also check at night) it is not likely to be a predator. You could try touching it and seeing what kind of texture it had and whether or not there was any kind of reaction, but it's small enough that it may be hard to tell.

It's not moving at all and hasn't moved since I saw it yesterday. Maybe I'll just let it go... As gtguy256 said, could just be coralline algae that's lightened? I'll keep an eye on it to see if anything moves or even grows larger. Thanks for the help!