New to Corals Please Help Identify and Troubleshoot

[GizinParadise]

Hello all! I am new to corals and rather new to saltwater aquariums without just using the trial and error method. I have cycled my tank and this came with my live rock when I set it up the 15th of October. Is this a Zoanthid? Also it has grown an additional polyp since I got it but now seems to be drooping? My parameters all seem to be good using the API test kit but I have ordered a Hanna Marine Master Kit to get more accurate readings. I also have a frog coral and a green rhodactis and star polyps. Fish I have a lightning clown, jawfish, tuxedo urchin, and lettuce leaf nudibranch. Looking to learn so all input is welcome. Thank you all in advance.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ll move this to the main forum.

 

[claydogg84]

It does appear to be a Zoanthid. I will caution you on spending a bunch of money on corals so quickly, as it rarely ends well. The tank appears rather new - sand bed showing signs of diatoms. The tank is going to go through a bunch of stages for the first year or so which can be rough on corals. I would put the GSP on an isolated rock as it will grow like a weed and take over everything.

 

[Subsea]

Hello all! I am new to corals and rather new to saltwater aquariums without just using the trial and error method. I have cycled my tank and this came with my live rock when I set it up the 15th of October. Is this a Zoanthid? Also it has grown an additional polyp since I got it but now seems to be drooping? My parameters all seem to be good using the API test kit but I have ordered a Hanna Marine Master Kit to get more accurate readings. I also have a frog coral and a green rhodactis and star polyps. Fish I have a lightning clown, jawfish, tuxedo urchin, and lettuce leaf nudibranch. Looking to learn so all input is welcome. Thank you all in advance.

Nice looking live rock. Where did it come from? I noticed your location as Florida Keys.

 

[ColorMeGone]

Look like some type of paly to me do to the size of the polyps? Might just be the picture making them look this way. Too much light can make them look like that in my opinion.

 

[GizinParadise]

It does appear to be a Zoanthid. I will caution you on spending a bunch of money on corals so quickly, as it rarely ends well. The tank appears rather new - sand bed showing signs of diatoms. The tank is going to go through a bunch of stages for the first year or so which can be rough on corals. I would put the GSP on an isolated rock as it will grow like a weed and take over everything.

Forgive the ignorance but what is a GSP?

 

[GizinParadise]

Nice looking live rock. Where did it come from? I noticed your location as Florida Keys.

Strictly Fish in Miami I also use the underwater gardener in Islamorada which I found after and can’t say enough good stuff about.

 

[JayM]

Forgive the ignorance but what is a GSP?

Green Star Polyp.

 

[Subsea]

Forgive the ignorance but what is a GSP?

Green Star Polyps

I didn’t see any in your tank picture.

 

[Subsea]

Strictly Fish in Miami I also use the underwater gardener in Islamorada which I found after and can’t say enough good stuff about.

Did they aquaculture the live rock or is it diver collected?

 

[GizinParadise]

Green Star Polyps

I didn’t see any in your tank picture.

They are on the back of the live rocks

 

[Tahoe61]

Hi and Welcome to R2R.

It's a Palythoa and a very nice one, looks healthy.

 

[ieatbugman]

Yeah, the gsp will grow like crazy, and that first pic is a palythoa (which is basically a zoanthid but quicker growing)

 

[GizinParadise]

Did they aquaculture the live rock or is it diver collected?

I honestly don’t know

 

[VintageReefer]

This is not a zoanthid, it is a palythoa grandis they will extend on stalks when lighting and flow is good. They are very adaptable and tolerant of different conditions. When multiplying they can be a little sulky

These are known to have a incredibly potent poison in them called palytoxin. I would highly suggest you read about palytoxin. It’s the strongest or second strongest poison known to man. Do not attempt to remove these from the rocks, always handle with gloves if you have to come in contact with them. Generally it’s ok because the toxin is internal, but if they had a cut, and you had a cut…or you got some on your hand and wiped your eye or nose, you can end up in a hospital, and they really don’t have any cure for it. So they will manage symptoms the best they can while you ride it out