Id Please. Tons of feather duster?

andyrm66 · 08/18/2009, 08:26 PM

Heres the pics, this rock seems to have a ton on it. Just cant belive I have that many feather dusters.

I do have one normal sized feather duster, and a couple other small ones, but never seen this many before.

Thanks!

100%hydrophylic · 08/18/2009, 08:27 PM

very blury. but yea i think they could either be tube worms or feather dusters. i wouldnt worry about them. good filter feeders

Imzadi · 08/18/2009, 08:28 PM

Eeep... That might be the start of an aptasia collection...

100%hydrophylic · 08/18/2009, 08:28 PM

those dont really look like aiptasia to me.... i guess we will see what others say then. im no expert

es1887 · 08/18/2009, 08:31 PM

yes feather dusters

andyrm66 · 08/18/2009, 10:27 PM

Thats what I was thinking, but just the sheer number caught me offguard.

flying_dutchman · 08/18/2009, 10:35 PM

My tank is full of them too but they don't see to do any harm, and they don't get any bigger just spread like crazy

ERICinFL · 08/18/2009, 10:38 PM

I think it's safe to say they're some sort of feather duster. Wave your fingers in front of them and they should retract. If they don't it could be something else. I doubt very seriously though, that it's Aptasia.

andyrm66 · 08/18/2009, 10:58 PM

Cool, one other question. I have these white things. Imagine a good sized zoanthid, fully closed. But slighty fuzzy? I have like 6 on the bottom side of my platy, and one smack dab in that middle of a paly/zoanthid. Does not seem to affect anything.

Ohiomom · 08/19/2009, 05:08 AM

top one is for sure feather dusters..no worries at all. Second fuzz ball thing sounds like a sponge and if so again no worries but would need a picture.

ReeferChick85 · 08/19/2009, 07:36 AM

Those honestly look more like a colony of hydroids to me instead of feather dusters. Hydroids come in many shapes and sizes and they pack a mighty sting so it's best to not let them grow near or next to your corals. They can be white,brown,pink or other colors and sometimes can be resembled to feather dusters,but not really. I would do a search on hydroids and just double check what you really have since the picture isn't too clear to make an accurate id but I'm leaning more towards hydroids. I had them and thought they were baby feather dusters but a friend of mine saw it and told me they were hydroids. After doing my research on them,I removed them off the live rock they were growing on since I had corals really close to them and didn't wanna risk it getting stung.

Check out hydroids just to be safe. Good luck!

Ohiomom · 08/19/2009, 07:40 AM

hmm maybe for sure was a wrong choice of words..but I still think they are feather dusters..

Imzadi · 08/19/2009, 07:40 AM

I have lots of teeny aptasias that look like that, BUT they are all aiming UP. I wish mine were feather dusters... they are so tiny! lol

How do they reproduce?

CLINTOS · 08/19/2009, 07:43 AM

I would say something like hydroids as well because of how thin the tube seems like

but never know pic is bad and the feather part looks larger and thicker

here's a link to a pic
http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?modul...&g2_itemId=384

If it is they are similar to aiptasia in a way

CLINTOS · 08/19/2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Imzadi
I have lots of teeny aptasias that look like that, BUT they are all aiming UP. I wish mine were feather dusters... they are so tiny! lol

How do they reproduce?

I think their heads just pop off then regrow where they settle and the old tube grows a new one

cloak · 08/19/2009, 10:09 AM

I think they're feather dusters.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.php

ReeferChick85 · 08/19/2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cloak
I think they're feather dusters.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.php

that's really helpful info!! Thanks for the link!!! btw,that's a creepy yet kinda cool avatar haha!!

I couldn't really tell what it was based on the pic but hopefully they are feather dusters and not hydroids. If it were me,I'd just want to be on the safe side and do research on hydroids so you can rule it out.

andyrm66 · 08/19/2009, 01:57 PM

They retract just like larger feather dusters. Tube isnt as long as the pics posted. Sorry Pic isn't better, it was shot with an DLSR, but they are some small and without a macro lens, thats whats I end up with. Refferchick, how did you remove them?

bubbly · 08/19/2009, 02:33 PM

I really don't think they are feather dusters -- I think they are a type of hydroid.

I have them in two tanks, and they are invasive, and hard to get rid of. I would start getting rid of them right away.

The way you can tell that they are not feather dusters is that the tube is leathery and not calcified.

They can be pretty hard to kill -- I tried to scrape mine totally away, but they came back and spread, even to another tank. I will try to post pictures later.

Don't wait until these things form large communities all over your tank.

cloak · 08/19/2009, 02:53 PM

There's some more information reguarding feather dusters and hydroids in this link.

http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

BeanMachine · 08/19/2009, 03:00 PM

The white fuzzy things might be sponges. Filter feeders as well.

ReeferChick85 · 08/19/2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by andyrm66
They retract just like larger feather dusters. Tube isnt as long as the pics posted. Sorry Pic isn't better, it was shot with an DLSR, but they are some small and without a macro lens, thats whats I end up with. Refferchick, how did you remove them?

I posted this on another hydroid thread so i just copied n pasted it...

Some people have had success with using kalk paste but you gotta be careful with it. If you could remove the rocks and do the kalk method outside of your tank to prevent any type of spreading from them that would be the best way. You just cover the hydroids with the paste made from Kalk and water,and leave them in a bucket overnight. Then the next day,rinse it with tank water thoroughly making sure all the kalk paste is gone completely and then put it back in your tank. I know some people who have done this with 100% success.

Or you could try using epoxy putty by covering the entire colony tightly by pressing it into the rock working from the outside edge in. It's not as successful because you have the chance of missing some of the polyps and/or potentially having them release some spore like things which will cause them to spread more in your tank. But I'm sure if done carefully,it's worth a try especially if you can't take out the rocks.

What I did with mine,since I only had a few mini colonies on 2 rocks,I just had my friend blow torch it off with one of those hand held blue flame ones.But the only drawback was that my rock had a little black stuff on it from the torched hydroids but it scrubbed off. It's kinda like killing the rock but not really. My friend didn't blow torch the whole rock. Just around the parts where they were located.It was quick and easy. I did place it in a separate tank before putting it back in my tank and all was well after. Never came back. It also has to do with controlling your nutrient levels so they won't have anything to feed off of and they eventually die off. Good luck with it!

andyrm66 · 08/19/2009, 07:55 PM

I do know I have hydroids, as I have seen them on the glass. Upon closer inspection I do have the hydroid/feather dusters all over. Should I worry? A lot of the rocks that they are on have corals all over them, so removal of the rock isnt really an option.

THanks

jbird69 · 08/19/2009, 08:58 PM

Man! I rubbed my eyes like 5 times and still couldnt ID anything in the photos. I would recommend getting a better picture so you can get an ACCURATE ID and take the correct action.

andyrm66 · 08/19/2009, 09:15 PM

I really have no idea how to get a better pic. THey are so small. That pic is a 10MP from a Sony DSLR. The camera wont even focus on them them are so small.

08/18/2009, 08:26 PM	#1
andyrm66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 517	Id Please. Tons of feather duster? Heres the pics, this rock seems to have a ton on it. Just cant belive I have that many feather dusters. I do have one normal sized feather duster, and a couple other small ones, but never seen this many before. Thanks!

08/18/2009, 08:27 PM	#2
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	very blury. but yea i think they could either be tube worms or feather dusters. i wouldnt worry about them. good filter feeders __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

08/18/2009, 08:28 PM	#3
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	Eeep... That might be the start of an aptasia collection... __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

08/18/2009, 08:28 PM	#4
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	those dont really look like aiptasia to me.... i guess we will see what others say then. im no expert __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS

08/18/2009, 08:31 PM	#5
es1887 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: boulder co Posts: 652	yes feather dusters __________________ "is it saltwater?" "yes." "the whole thing?!" -idiot Current Tank Info: 48x24x30 150, 2 400w 20k radium, 2 110w vhos, 2 mp40w, apex aqua controller, sro 5000 skimmer

08/18/2009, 10:27 PM	#6
andyrm66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 517	Thats what I was thinking, but just the sheer number caught me offguard.

08/18/2009, 10:35 PM	#7
flying_dutchman Moved On Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,319	My tank is full of them too but they don't see to do any harm, and they don't get any bigger just spread like crazy

08/18/2009, 10:38 PM	#8
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	I think it's safe to say they're some sort of feather duster. Wave your fingers in front of them and they should retract. If they don't it could be something else. I doubt very seriously though, that it's Aptasia. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

08/18/2009, 10:58 PM	#9
andyrm66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 517	Cool, one other question. I have these white things. Imagine a good sized zoanthid, fully closed. But slighty fuzzy? I have like 6 on the bottom side of my platy, and one smack dab in that middle of a paly/zoanthid. Does not seem to affect anything.

08/19/2009, 05:08 AM	#10
Ohiomom Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,586	top one is for sure feather dusters..no worries at all. Second fuzz ball thing sounds like a sponge and if so again no worries but would need a picture. __________________ .....Sandra “Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Current Tank Info: 75 galllon reef, T5HO love em!

08/19/2009, 07:36 AM	#11
ReeferChick85 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 894	Those honestly look more like a colony of hydroids to me instead of feather dusters. Hydroids come in many shapes and sizes and they pack a mighty sting so it's best to not let them grow near or next to your corals. They can be white,brown,pink or other colors and sometimes can be resembled to feather dusters,but not really. I would do a search on hydroids and just double check what you really have since the picture isn't too clear to make an accurate id but I'm leaning more towards hydroids. I had them and thought they were baby feather dusters but a friend of mine saw it and told me they were hydroids. After doing my research on them,I removed them off the live rock they were growing on since I had corals really close to them and didn't wanna risk it getting stung. Check out hydroids just to be safe. Good luck! Last edited by ReeferChick85; 08/19/2009 at 08:01 AM.

08/19/2009, 07:40 AM	#12
Ohiomom Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,586	hmm maybe for sure was a wrong choice of words..but I still think they are feather dusters.. __________________ .....Sandra “Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” Current Tank Info: 75 galllon reef, T5HO love em!

08/19/2009, 07:43 AM	#14
CLINTOS Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: windsor,ontario Canada Posts: 859	I would say something like hydroids as well because of how thin the tube seems like but never know pic is bad and the feather part looks larger and thicker here's a link to a pic http://www.zoaid.com/index.php?modul...&g2_itemId=384 If it is they are similar to aiptasia in a way Last edited by CLINTOS; 08/19/2009 at 07:56 AM.

08/19/2009, 10:09 AM	#16
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I think they're feather dusters. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/index.php

08/19/2009, 01:57 PM	#18
andyrm66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 517	They retract just like larger feather dusters. Tube isnt as long as the pics posted. Sorry Pic isn't better, it was shot with an DLSR, but they are some small and without a macro lens, thats whats I end up with. Refferchick, how did you remove them?

08/19/2009, 02:33 PM	#19
bubbly Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 331	I really don't think they are feather dusters -- I think they are a type of hydroid. I have them in two tanks, and they are invasive, and hard to get rid of. I would start getting rid of them right away. The way you can tell that they are not feather dusters is that the tube is leathery and not calcified. They can be pretty hard to kill -- I tried to scrape mine totally away, but they came back and spread, even to another tank. I will try to post pictures later. Don't wait until these things form large communities all over your tank.

08/19/2009, 02:53 PM	#20
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	There's some more information reguarding feather dusters and hydroids in this link. http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

08/19/2009, 03:00 PM	#21
BeanMachine Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 11,200	The white fuzzy things might be sponges. Filter feeders as well.

08/19/2009, 07:55 PM	#23
andyrm66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 517	I do know I have hydroids, as I have seen them on the glass. Upon closer inspection I do have the hydroid/feather dusters all over. Should I worry? A lot of the rocks that they are on have corals all over them, so removal of the rock isnt really an option. THanks

08/19/2009, 08:58 PM	#24
jbird69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The beautiful State of Jefferson Posts: 2,751	Man! I rubbed my eyes like 5 times and still couldnt ID anything in the photos. I would recommend getting a better picture so you can get an ACCURATE ID and take the correct action. __________________ Broke Back Mountain is not a movie, its the pile of dead ninjas in Chuck Norris' back yard

08/19/2009, 09:15 PM	#25
andyrm66 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 517	I really have no idea how to get a better pic. THey are so small. That pic is a 10MP from a Sony DSLR. The camera wont even focus on them them are so small.