If not an aiptasia, then what?

[OldRed1]

Hey everyone! I’ve got a few of these anemones popping up around my tank. My understanding is that aiptasia are non-native to the gulf, and so I do not believe these anemones are aiptasia. If that is indeed the case, then what might these be?

 

[GlassMunky]

It’s an aiptasia
You were informed incorrectly

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Great picture
Following

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

Aptasia.

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Curlique anemone. Very similar looking to aiptasia (especially when small) but less likely to take over a tank. Not really a very big issue, but many people will remove them anyways as they can still sting corals. Personally, I'd keep it. They aren't super common, and they look really neat when they get big.

 

[OldRed1]

Curlique anemone. Very similar looking to aiptasia (especially when small) but less likely to take over a tank. Not really a very big issue, but many people will remove them anyways as they can still sting corals. Personally, I'd keep it. They aren't super common, and they look really neat when they get big.

This gives me a new route to research, thank you!

 

[Acros]

Curlique anemone looks very different to the one in pic. This is a pic of one that came on my gulf live rock.

I have anemones similar to the ones in OP’s pics. It is apparently a type of aiptasia, but not the common type that is found in the hobby.

They stay small and my acros grow over them/displace them. Sometimes I find one clinging in to the glass temporarily. Peppermint shrimp keeps them in check.

 

[OldRed1]

Curlique anemone looks very different to the one in pic. This is a pic of one that came on my gulf live rock.

I have anemones similar to the ones in OP’s pics. It is apparently a type of aiptasia, but not the common type that is found in the hobby.

They stay small and my acros grow over them/displace them. Sometimes I find one clinging in to the glass temporarily. Peppermint shrimp keeps them in check.

I’ve got two healthy peppermint shrimp in the tank that show no interest in these particular anemones. That’s one reason I began to suspect they may be something other than aiptasia.

 

[WheatToast]

Aiptasia are non-native to the gulf.

There are only three remaining species of Aiptasia; A. couchii, A. insignis, and A. mutabilis; none of which are found in the western Atlantic. However, some species that previously belonged to the Aiptasia genus were reassigned to the genus Exaiptasia such as Exaiptasia diaphana (once known as Aiptasia pallida), which is known to be one of the pest “Aiptasia” species and is found in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. My guess is that you have Exaiptasia, though I am not sure about the species and whether yours is invasive or not.

 

[OldRed1]

There are only three remaining species of Aiptasia; A. couchii, A. insignis, and A. mutabilis; none of which are found in the western Atlantic. However, some species that previously belonged to the Aiptasia genus were reassigned to the genus Exaiptasia such as Exaiptasia diaphana (once known as Aiptasia pallida), which is known to be one of the pest “Aiptasia” species and is found in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. My guess is that you have Exaiptasia, though I am not sure about the species and whether yours is invasive or not.

This is really great information. Thank you!

 

[Chelsea0872]

so i bought this not knowing what it was
Now I have this other thing growing next to it
Do I want any of this in my tank?