Problem with Octospawn

[ParticleMan]

This octo has been in my tank for about 4 months ago. good extension, has more than doubled in size but I noticed today something at it base. It almost looks like it is splitting open? Could this be some type of parasite? whatever it is is not moving. My parameters have been solid, ALk 8.0, Ph 8.2, Mag 1350, Calc: 400, Phos .08 so not sure what could have caused this. Should I be worried? It's my first octo and I haven't seen this before. I do have a clownfish that likes to sort park himself under the canopy next to the stalk. I posted this on another site and got some feedback it is probably some type of bi-valve; however, I know the reef-2-reef community is the trusted source. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Gman83]

I think it looks like a flatworm, but beyond that I don't know. I'm sure someone else will chime in

 

[steveschuerger]

That’s a banger of a flatworm . Harmful or not that needs to go imho.

 

[Shirak]

Does it come off or have a hard shell like a bivalve? There isn't a large flesh band and appears some of the skeleton ridges are bare on the outside. Not sure if it's related to this but it's not in the best of shape for 4 months in your tank.

 

[steveschuerger]

Does it come off or have a hard shell like a bivalve? There isn't a large flesh band and appears some of the skeleton ridges are bare on the outside. Not sure if it's related to this but it's not in the best of shape for 4 months in your tank.

I think you might be right .

 

[Privateye]

Looks like it might be an oyster to me, so I'm going to second the bivalve idea.

Touch it! The texture will tell. I wouldn't worry about a bivalve in the tank. If it's a flatworm then definitely get rid of it.

 

[ParticleMan]

Looks like it might be an oyster to me, so I'm going to second the bivalve idea.

Touch it! The texture will tell. I wouldn't worry about a bivalve in the tank. If it's a flatworm then definitely get rid of it.

So definitely not a flatworm. It has a hard shell I can scrape at with tweezers, and it snap shut when its touch. I guess it must be some type of clam or muscle. From the color I'd say clam. As for the flesh band not really sure. It has always opened up quite a bit during the day and close up somewhat when the lights go out. The parameters have been pretty stable. Maybe the clownfish rubbing up against the stalk under the head is irritating it. Should I move it? As for the clam..it seems harmless enough and very much anchored on to the octo's stalk.

 

[Shirak]

Nitrate? Par? Could be the clownfish. Not sure moving it would help. May upset the coral more..

 

[ParticleMan]

Nitrate? Par? Could be the clownfish. Not sure moving it would help. May upset the coral more..

Hmm parameters have been solid for the most part. Occasional sips on nitrate to 1 or 2 but mostly around 8. Phos .06 to .12 as far as par im not sure. Im using an Ai blade coral glow light. It might also matter i took the pictures as the tank lighting was ramping down

 

[Shirak]

Hmm parameters have been solid for the most part. Occasional sips on nitrate to 1 or 2 but mostly around 8. Phos .06 to .12 as far as par im not sure. Im using an Ai blade coral glow light. It might also matter i took the pictures as the tank lighting was ramping down

What size tank? The one Ai glow? Not the grow? What size and how much do you have it turned up? The glow I don't think is designed to be a stand alone light. It's lacking the blue spectrum just above royal blue.

Nitrates could be a bit on the low side if they are fluctuating between 2-8ppm

 

[Privateye]

If you wanted to get rid of it, I agree it's best not to try to remove it from the skeleton. Later on, once the coral grows and the oyster is further from the flesh you could try that, but if you wanted to get rid of it sooner I'd approach it like any oyster. Shuck it, remove the outer shell and flesh, and leave the shell stuck to the skeleton. Your cleanup crew will probably have a field day.

That being said, I wouldn't worry about it. At least not if your tank is large. My only concern would be if it dies (perhaps from starvation) and pollutes the tank before you notice. Otherwise it's cleaning your water.

The irregular shell shape (curved) suggests it's an oyster to me. Clams are typically pretty symmetrical.

 

[ParticleMan]

The tank is 13.5 Fluval, and I meant the AI Blade 12" Coral Grow, not glow, my mistake. I run it with mostly Blue and Royal Blue channels up just over 100%. The peak is at about 18%. I've attached a copy of my light schedule. With my refugium running in one of the chambers I'll admit it's been difficult keeping my nitrates as stable as I'd like. I dose about 4ml of Neo Nitro about every 3 days.

You know and oyster does make sense; they are generally kind of ugly. I'll let this one sit and as long as it doesn't irritate the OCTO too much just play it by ear. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Uncle99]

Depends kinda which you want to keep.
I would remove him.
He may interfere with the flesh band growth.
Does not belong there.

 

[Shirak]

The 12” ai coral grow is 20w if I am not mistaken on 13gal tank. I run an ai prime on a tank half that size around 50w and it’s barely enough for zoa and lps. Looks like your only running peak par for about 7 hours too? I would bump that to 9 or 10 hours. If you can rent or borrow a par meter do so. I suspect your lighting is insufficient.

 

[ParticleMan]

Got it, I think I setup the light prior to adding the first corals and never got around to adjusting the schedule. I have the AI Primes on my large tank at home but use the regular app it comes with to manage. I'm using mobius on this blade and it seems less straight-forward. I'll bump up the intensity. Thanks.