Help!

[SaltySuzy]

Okay, about 6 months ago I bought a "fish only" tank with everything already in it (sand, rock, fish). This is my first fishkeeping venture, and the guy said all I would have to do is regular partial water changes.

I'm a very bad person, and haven't been doing the partial water changes very regularly at all (I promise I'll do better).

ANYHOW, last week I noticed two new "things" in my aquarium. They are small, and then I noticed a third much larger "thing". After spending some time looking online I figured out that they are some kind of Ceriantharia anemone, and they are amber colored.

I like them! I have a few questions about them though. One - where in the world did they come from? They were definitely not here before, and I have not added anything to my tank, no fish, no sand, no rock, no water from another aquarium. These anemones just appeared all of the sudden.

Two - I thought that those kinds of things didn't grow in "fish only" tanks because the water quality isn't good enough. I don't have a skimmer or anything fancy becuase I can't figure out how to hook it up (would like to in the future though). Just two powerheads and a regular hang-on-the-back filter. Can they indeed grow in not so good water?

Three - do I have to feed them? If so, what do they eat?

Thanks for your help. I'm totally new to this.

 

[SaltySuzy]

Oh no, I just read that these anemones could "sting" my mushroom which is located close by. What do I do about that? My mushroom seems to be slowly moving away. Is he agitated by the close proximity of the anemone?

Also, it looks like tiny veined mushroom has popped up next to the larger spotted mushroom. Will they hurt eachother?

 

[Mr Stomato]

Hehehe, the small cute little guys in your tank are called "Aptaisia" or "Glass Anemones." They can be a lot of fun and enjoy multiplying when fed. hehe.

Aptaisia is often in crevices and holes in your liverock and spread throughout your tank giving the impression they appeared from nowhere, but they spread like rabbits if you let them.

Those are neusance creatures and should be eliminated before they get too out of hand. You don't have to if you don't want to since you have a fish only tank, but if you plan on having any corals, you will need to hire a Copperband Butterfly or use a Kalkwasser mix or Joe's Juice to decrease their numbers.

I hate aptaisia....

 

[Bainic]

I agree, sounds like aptaisia. They are a nuisance anemone. Again it is your choice to keep it, but if you plan to get rid of them, then do it soon before they multiply any more.