Aiptasia vs Drab-looking zoanthid or paly?

tidepool2 · 11/29/2010, 04:28 PM

Hi Reefers,
I'm wondering how you tell the difference between an aiptasia and a drab-looking zoa or paly? Do aiptasia close-up fast like feather dusters leaving no trace of themselves when you touch them? I know zoas and palys may close if you touch them, but their polyp is still visible, right?

I don't think what I have in my tank is aiptasia, but I need to check it out with you all. I'd appreciate any tips you have on identifying aiptasia.

Thanks!

jestr · 11/29/2010, 04:37 PM

pics let some one on here ID it... but from what ive seen its pretty hard to get them confused

cwbhawk · 11/29/2010, 05:13 PM

The aiptasia will retract very quickly when startled, and it could recede into a hole in the rock or remain a visible fleshy ball... depending on where it is located. My zoas don't retract nearly as fast as aiptasia do, but I don't have much experience with zoas so don't quote me on that

But I agree, pictures help ALOT

tidepool2 · 11/29/2010, 06:01 PM

Here are two photos. The large polyps I think are large palys, but I just wanted to be sure.

In the second photo in the colony of zoanthids there are 3 drab-looking polyps that I wanted to make sure aren't aiptasia.

Thanks for your help!

tidepool2 · 11/29/2010, 06:03 PM

Here's the 2nd photo - re: Aiptasia or paly?

tidepool2 · 11/29/2010, 06:05 PM

Here's the 2nd photo. Is these aiptasia or just large palys?

Thanks for your help!

cwbhawk · 11/29/2010, 06:09 PM

Those are definately zoas and palys

No aiptasia that I can see

chris88 · 11/29/2010, 06:11 PM

paly but they grow and spread just as fast as aptasia's.

tidepool2 · 11/29/2010, 06:40 PM

Oh great news! Thanks so much chris88 and cwbhawk!

I'll keep pruning those large palys back. I've got some Rainbow Palys that have become a nice size colony. I'll start fragging that one so it won't get out of hand.

11/29/2010, 04:28 PM	#1
tidepool2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 171	Aiptasia vs Drab-looking zoanthid or paly? Hi Reefers, I'm wondering how you tell the difference between an aiptasia and a drab-looking zoa or paly? Do aiptasia close-up fast like feather dusters leaving no trace of themselves when you touch them? I know zoas and palys may close if you touch them, but their polyp is still visible, right? I don't think what I have in my tank is aiptasia, but I need to check it out with you all. I'd appreciate any tips you have on identifying aiptasia. Thanks! __________________ 65g reef tank, live rock/sand, Eheim 1262 900gph, Venturi skimmer, 2 Koralia PHs + Controller, 2 - 150w Rena Smart Heaters + Controllers, Cabinet, Sump, Aqua Illuminations Sol LED Module + Controller, 2 Ecoxotic 50/50 Panorama LEDs, 1 Ecoxotic Panorama Actinic and lots and lots of love.

11/29/2010, 05:13 PM	#3
cwbhawk Junior at Iowa State Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 148	The aiptasia will retract very quickly when startled, and it could recede into a hole in the rock or remain a visible fleshy ball... depending on where it is located. My zoas don't retract nearly as fast as aiptasia do, but I don't have much experience with zoas so don't quote me on that But I agree, pictures help ALOT __________________ I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image I must first change myself. Fish are friends not food. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tank that I move back and forth from school with me!

11/29/2010, 06:03 PM	#5
tidepool2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 171	Here's the 2nd photo - re: Aiptasia or paly? __________________ 65g reef tank, live rock/sand, Eheim 1262 900gph, Venturi skimmer, 2 Koralia PHs + Controller, 2 - 150w Rena Smart Heaters + Controllers, Cabinet, Sump, Aqua Illuminations Sol LED Module + Controller, 2 Ecoxotic 50/50 Panorama LEDs, 1 Ecoxotic Panorama Actinic and lots and lots of love.

11/29/2010, 06:09 PM	#7
cwbhawk Junior at Iowa State Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa Posts: 148	Those are definately zoas and palys No aiptasia that I can see __________________ I am a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine. If I am to change this image I must first change myself. Fish are friends not food. Current Tank Info: 20 gallon tank that I move back and forth from school with me!

11/29/2010, 06:40 PM	#9
tidepool2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 171	Oh great news! Thanks so much chris88 and cwbhawk! I'll keep pruning those large palys back. I've got some Rainbow Palys that have become a nice size colony. I'll start fragging that one so it won't get out of hand. __________________ 65g reef tank, live rock/sand, Eheim 1262 900gph, Venturi skimmer, 2 Koralia PHs + Controller, 2 - 150w Rena Smart Heaters + Controllers, Cabinet, Sump, Aqua Illuminations Sol LED Module + Controller, 2 Ecoxotic 50/50 Panorama LEDs, 1 Ecoxotic Panorama Actinic and lots and lots of love.

11/29/2010, 04:37 PM	#2
jestr Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: orlando Posts: 396	pics let some one on here ID it... but from what ive seen its pretty hard to get them confused

11/29/2010, 06:11 PM	#8
chris88 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alberta (canada) Posts: 657	paly but they grow and spread just as fast as aptasia's.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Yellow zoanthids or palys, show them	IridescentLily	Zoanthids	99	03/11/2014 12:01 PM
Zoanthid and Paly polyp size	forddna	Soft Coral Keepers	4	07/03/2008 03:36 PM
zoanthids and palys I'll be watching out for.	rsteagall	Nashville Area Reefers	10	01/11/2008 09:03 AM