Purple hitchhiker good or bad?

kennygg

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I set up my first tank last Thursday (11/3) with some live rock and dry sand. The day I noticed a purple blob attached to one of the rocks. i decided to let it be and see what happens. Today when I woke up it looked like this. Do you guys know what it is? Should I keep it or pull it off before it becomes a problem?
IMG_1478579207.807580.jpg
IMG_1478579217.949466.jpg
 

Supurderek

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Good! Looking like a zoanthid. We can get a better idea, for sure, if you get a picture when it is more open.
 

ahiggins

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just a polyp.
Some people have all the luck! getting acans/mushrooms as hitch hikers!
 

Maritimer

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It's a zoanthid or Palythoa (closely related). They're cool, they spread across the rock - some faster than others.

Be aware that they're toxic if any of their bodily fluids get into your body - a squirt to the eye or open cut while working near them are probably the most common modes of transport. Look up "Palytoxin".

~Bruce, who has lots of zoanthids and some Palythoa . . .
 
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kennygg

kennygg

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IMG_1479421344.111230.jpg

Okay it looks like this now so I think its polythoa . I heard they can be toxic and should not be kept. What are your guys thoughts/experiences?
 

saltyfilmfolks

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IMG_1479421344.111230.jpg

Okay it looks like this now so I think its polythoa . I heard they can be toxic and should not be kept. What are your guys thoughts/experiences?
yea more toxic than a regular zoa. gan grow too fast too.
 

saltyfilmfolks

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So should I get rid of it?
Your choice really. Mine were neat but. Grew them into a colony. But Meh. Wound up tossing them eventually.
Aptasiax works to kill them BTW

Bummer too. I was hoping you would get something a lot cooler. I have more than a few nice hitchiher corals.
 
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