Please if on this thing growing on the rocks

[Cephas27]

Hi everyone,

Can someone please I'd what is this thing growing on the rocks.. They have a mouth kinda thing and have grown in clusters in parts of the tank.. And if it is bad or good?

 

[Cephas27]

Id I meant..

 

[SoloGarth]

Looks like some sort of palythoa. As per usual I will request a picture in which some detail and true color can be seen

 

[SoloGarth]

Might be yellow star polyps.

Hard to tell from that pic.

 

[whosurcaddie]

They look like button polyps.

They are good but they grow fast and may have to be controlled. What kind of light do you have they seem to really be stretching out in the pic.

 

[billdogg]

They are colonial hydroids. Although they will eventually self limit their population, they are very invasive and can sting other creatures. IME, the best way to bet rid of them is to remove the rock and scrape them off. Wear thick rubber gloves - the tubes will break off easily and end up in your hands sorta like splinters, except they are difficult to remove.

You can also cover them in kalk paste, but the tubes will be left behind, just waiting to jab you in the hand.

 

[cloak]

Smothering them with epoxy is another option.

 

[Sk8r]

If in one area, a hydrogen peroxide dip after scrub-off might be effective. I've done in xenia and rooted caulerpa and halimeda by that method.

 

[Bent]

X3 hydroids.

 

[Cephas27]

Thanks guys.. It doesn't look like palythoas as they are really tiny.. Sorry for the picture quality.. Will try to get a better one.. Now that I know these are not good news, will see where all they have colonised.. But any opinions what could have caused their growth? So I could take measures that it doesn't spread further..

 

[billdogg]

They just appear. Hitch hiked in on something. They feed on excess nutrients, so limit feeding and keep doing water changes. IMHO, they are a pretty normal part of establishing a new system.

 

[Cephas27]

Great thanks billdogg.. I was feeding a bit more lately, and missed on a couple of water changes.. That could have fueled their growth I suppose..