Is this Aiptasia?

[Yx2016]

Hi all,

I need some help identifying something that has been growing for several months in my tank. At first I thought it was some kind of coral and I left it alone. Recently I came to know aiptasia and what's in my tank looks like it but not quite the same. It looks a lot skinnier than regular aiptasia. I did quite a bit of search on the Internet but couldn't find anything that looks exactly like what I have. It extends when light is on and detracts completely when light goes off. It expands in my tank but not super fast. It took over 2 - 3 rocks in several months. Attached are a couple of pictures. Should I get rid of it? Appreciate your help!

 

[JohnL]

Could it be Xenia?

 

[JohnL]

https://www.google.com/search?q=xen...FkgEBMZgBAKABAbABDw&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp

 

[JohnL]

https://images.app.goo.gl/tYh59MJPSn1gnXxb8

 

[Habib]

Certainly not Aiptasia. What John said... Xenia

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It could also be colonial hydroids or clove polyps. Can you try to get a closer pic with the blue lights off and the flow off?

 

[Yx2016]

Thank you guys for the input! Here are a few more pictures. I had a Xenia before but these ones seem to have much thinner branches. Still don't know for sure what they are. But it's good to know they are not Aiptasia!

 

[JohnL]

Thank you guys for the input! Here are a few more pictures. I had a Xenia before but these ones seem to have much thinner branches. Still don't know for sure what they are. But it's good to know they are not Aiptasia!

I think it's Xenia

 

[Anemone]

It appears to be growing out of a mat. Maybe a type of star polyp or daisy polyp?

Kevin

 

[Reefing102]

With the mat like structure it does appear to be star polyp of some sort. Last I knew, colonial hydroids didn’t have the mat structure.

Star polyps can be invasive (many people keep them isolated to an island).

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

It appears to be growing out of a mat. Maybe a type of star polyp or daisy polyp?

Kevin

Briareum sp. Star polyps. Kevin is correct. You'll want to isolate them to their own rock. They have a tendency to spread quickly and can take over your rock work.

 

[Anemone]

Briareum sp. Star polyps. Kevin is correct. You'll want to isolate them to their own rock. They have a tendency to spread quickly and can take over your rock work.

Really? :lol:

Kevin

 

[01saleen]

Star Polyps.

 

[Kevin Guthrie]

Could be an encrusting gorgonian, Erythropodium caribaeorum. They do spread.

 

[FishesArePeace]

Really? :lol:

Kevin

The photo where we can see them yellow is kind of pretty, but it looks like it is spreading and like someone else said, you might want to isolate it to its own rock so it doesn’t take over.

 

[FishesArePeace]

Really? :lol:

Kevin

Love your name…anemone, very cool.

 

[mellotang]

Encrusting Gorgonian

It will take over everything