Newbie needs help with Soft Coral Identification!

[CrazyCanadian]

Hi Guys, Newbie here! I recently purchased a few types of soft coral to go into my 65 gal tank (finally! Been cycling for months) but it looks like a few hitchhikers have made their way in on some of the live rock. Looking for some help identifying, Im thinking the one is a type of Zoa/button polyp which I am not interested in having in the tank (I don't want to deal with fragging or any type of maintenance that might involve a hospital visit thank you very much). I know they are beautiful but to be honest, the articles about them freak me out especially since I have a little one.

Purchased:
Mushroom Coral (with possibly polyp hitchhikers?)
Green finger leather coral
Xenia
Tree or possibly leather coral? (with Xenia hitchhiker)

Thanks for your help!

[CrazyCanadian]

I can post clearer pics if needed, the camera res on my phone is pitiful.

[CrazyCanadian]

Also, I would love some suggestions as to inverts or fish that would work harmoniously in my system.
Current:
2 Oc. Clowns
1 Yel. Tang
bunch of hermits and tronchus snails.
(plus whatever micro life might be living in the love rock/sand)

[CrazyCanadian]

Here's much better photo's guys. Sorry for the pixelated ones. Learning curve. The hitchhikers in question are the long haired guys beside the hermit crab photobomber.

[JUNBUG361]

Aiptasia & hermit crab(1st picture) Kenya tree & pulsating Xenia(2nd picture) from last post

[CrazyCanadian]

Originally Posted by JUNBUG361

Aiptasia & hermit crab(1st picture) Kenya tree & pulsating Xenia(2nd picture) from last post

Thank you! Looks like I'll be picking up a peppermint shrimp to get rid of it!

[JUNBUG361]

File fish

[TokiHacker]

Originally Posted by JUNBUG361

File fish

peppermint shrimp seem to be much better for me personally.

[CrazyCanadian]

Originally Posted by TokiHacker

peppermint shrimp seem to be much better for me personally.

Do you find the PShrimp attack any other soft corals? I have a Xenia, mushrooms, and some leathers. But I also don't want an invasion. Do you think 1 or 2 would be sufficient for a 65 gal?

[AlSimmons]

Originally Posted by CrazyCanadian

Hi Guys, Newbie here! I recently purchased a few types of soft coral to go into my 65 gal tank (finally! Been cycling for months) but it looks like a few hitchhikers have made their way in on some of the live rock. Looking for some help identifying, Im thinking the one is a type of Zoa/button polyp which I am not interested in having in the tank (I don't want to deal with fragging or any type of maintenance that might involve a hospital visit thank you very much). I know they are beautiful but to be honest, the articles about them freak me out especially since I have a little one.

Purchased:
Mushroom Coral (with possibly polyp hitchhikers?)
Green finger leather coral
Xenia
Tree or possibly leather coral? (with Xenia hitchhiker)

Thanks for your help!

That looks like a Sinularia in the first picture. The second one might be Xenia or Anthelia, but it's kind of hard to tell. Another Sinularia in the third along with what could be Xenia/Anthelia and possibly some Hairy Mushrooms in the fourth. Those polyps in both the fourth and fifth are Aiptasia.

[MrDemonicAngel]

aiptasia is the mystery polyps. if the rocks are removable I'd remove them and burn those aiptasia off then put the rocks back in the tank.

[elbowdeep29]

Boiling hot water and lemon juice and a syringe work for me but be fast they die fast. Also did not make them spread.

[reret10]

I'd say +1 for the peppermint shrimp. I've never had any problems with them and they always take care of any minor aiptasia outbreaks I've ever had problems with in my tank. It's a simple and cheap solution. It seeing as your tank is new, just removing the rock and getting them out of there is a really great option. I know I would if j didn't have lots of encrusting corals in the same rocks


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[CrazyCanadian]

Thank you for the info guys! I appreciate it.

[TokiHacker]

Originally Posted by CrazyCanadian

Do you find the PShrimp attack any other soft corals? I have a Xenia, mushrooms, and some leathers. But I also don't want an invasion. Do you think 1 or 2 would be sufficient for a 65 gal?

I mean they run all around on top of them but the coral get use to it. yeah 2 or 3 will be plenty.

[CrazyCanadian]

Originally Posted by TokiHacker

I mean they run all around on top of them but the coral get use to it. yeah 2 or 3 will be plenty.

Anthelia totally wiped out thanks to my new crew (3 peppermint shrimp) they're awesome! Also got 2 cleaner shrimp to remove what looked like ich(?!) from my yellow tang which they also took care of over night! Thanks for the advise guys! Any special foods to buy the shrimp? Or are they good with what the fish get?