Possible Coral ID?

[Mrs. Fox]

Hi there, I have a bunch of these brown "things" (don't know whether to call them coral or not, haha) sprouting out of live rock in my tank. I bought the tank established but really run down, and since cleaning the 1/2" thick algae off the live rock, these have started to pop up. Are they coral or are they bad for my tank? It doesn't look like aiptasia, the fingers on these are a lot shorter than any pictures I've seen. Anyone know what they could/are be? Thanks!

 

[KJ]

Strawberry Anemone?

 

[Mrs. Fox]

Strawberry Anemone?

Just looked that up and I don't think so, mine is more brown than pink/red and the little fingers are opaque.. I'll see if I can get some better pictures.. Thanks!

 

[Mrs. Fox]

Here are some more pictures, they all receed into the live rock and come out 1/2-1" when the light is on. Some habe a purple hue to the base of them/fingers

 

[McMullen]

I'm not sure if this is an anemone or palythoas, but either way you want these gone!!!!!

 

[nuff40]

looks like aptasia...pest and will sting other corals. Best to remove as soon as possible.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Looks like Aptasia to me too. Get a peppermint shrimp.

 

[themcnertney]

Could be a majano anemone, either way, remove it.

 

[Mrs. Fox]

Looks like Aptasia to me too. Get a peppermint shrimp.

I have two fire shrimp already though, these two get along great but they can't live with peppermints normally right?

 

[Mrs. Fox]

They are starting to look more like aiptasia now, I was looking into a peppermint shrimp by I dont want it to hurt my two fire shrimp I have already.. Are there any other species that frequently eat aiptaisa?

 

[Naiad]

They are starting to look more like aiptasia now, I was looking into a peppermint shrimp by I dont want it to hurt my two fire shrimp I have already.. Are there any other species that frequently eat aiptaisa?

There are quite a few but all come with a downside. Copperband butterflies may eat them but they are delicate and need some room. There is a type of filefish but these guys are prone to coral nipping. Then there is berghia nudibranchs that eat only apstasia thus will starve when a tank runs out. I'm sure I'm missing some. It is generally easier to use manual removal unless you want these guys regardless of apstasia.