Xenia with strange growth/appendage. Is it a parasite? Almost looks Paly shaped which scares me.

[bondo]

On the bottom right of this Xenia frag, there is a strange looking branch. It comes out of the main stalk. Pic may not show this well but the appendate is translucent and appears to contain an egg shaped growth inside. The head of it looks a bit like a Palythoa shape, which is why I have not yet clipped it off. I'm terriefied of Palytoxin, and dont' keep any Zoa's or Paly's for that reason.

This is in a 6 gal nano. All water parameters are good. All other corals and fish are fine. Any ideas on what that could be? And is it safe to clip it in tank? Or should I pull the whole frag and dispose of it?

Thanks,

 

[The_Paradox]

Looks like Aiptasia to me. I would snip it off and skim over base with super glue.

 

[ReeferHD]

that's an aiptasia, smother it in superglue and it will not reproduce. and i wouldnt worry too much about palytoxin, the risk of exposure is extremely low unless you're fragging them without taking precautions.