Need Help- Aptasia, Hydroids or Red Star Polyps?

lightngsvt · 07/02/2018, 07:12 PM

Wasn't sure where to post this? I have a 100g FOWLR tank that has been running for close to 14 years now! I recently noticed 3 or 4 colonies of polyps on a few rocks at the top of the tank. In the past I had Aptasia, added a Scat and he took care of that. I have NOT added anything recently other than a few Hermit Crabs and Turbo snails and Black Fin "shark".

My local LFS thinks its red star polyps and not dangerous but will spread. From doing some research I think they might be Hydroids, which seem alot worse. The LFS recommends a Chocolate Chip Star as they think it will eat the polyps. Not sure what to do next?

lightngsvt · 07/02/2018, 07:16 PM

They are very tiny and will retract into their tube if touched.

caribfan · 07/09/2018, 06:20 AM

Most butterflies will take care of a problem like this.

lightngsvt · 07/10/2018, 09:38 PM

Thanks, I might have to add a Butterfly to the tank. The LFS recommended a Chocolate Chip Starfish for some reason, while he is cool he hasn't touched the polyps.

Daddi0 · 07/10/2018, 09:44 PM

Perhaps lights out for several weeks?

lightngsvt · 07/10/2018, 09:58 PM

I've cut down on my feedings, got a new skimmer and have cut my lights back to about 5 hours per day. I was thinking of going dark for a few days, but am concerned how this will affect my fish?

Daddi0 · 07/12/2018, 10:49 AM

As I understand, and I could be wrong. Fish don't require lights. If it is a fish only tank, why are the polyps a problem?
Cheers! Mark

olemiss reb · 07/12/2018, 02:30 PM

Look like colonial hydroids. Lights out won't do anything if so. I've had Peppermint shrimp eat them but they're hit or miss whether they will.

rvareef · 07/12/2018, 02:34 PM

+1 colonial hydroids

lightngsvt · 07/12/2018, 04:55 PM

Will a Butterfly eat them? Or best to try a Peppermint shrimp? Or, best to just take the couple of rock out that have them and trash the rock? It is a fish-only tank, but dont want these things taking over!

caribfan · 07/13/2018, 09:15 PM

I’d go butterfly route. Something halfway easy and cheap, maybe a raccoon.

lightngsvt · 07/14/2018, 07:24 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll stop by the LFS today and see what my options are.

07/09/2018, 06:20 AM	#3
caribfan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,922	Most butterflies will take care of a problem like this. __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder Quarantine Tank, 240 Miracles Finally up and running, 29 Biocube - AI Nano

07/10/2018, 09:44 PM	#5
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	Perhaps lights out for several weeks? __________________ 2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater

07/12/2018, 10:49 AM	#7
Daddi0 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Redwood City Posts: 1,354	As I understand, and I could be wrong. Fish don't require lights. If it is a fish only tank, why are the polyps a problem? Cheers! Mark __________________ 2x 65g displays with a 30g cryptic refugium and 30g sump - 55g reef 30g Bio-cube reef - I.M. 30g reef - 45g freshwater

07/12/2018, 02:30 PM	#8
olemiss reb Molon Labe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,550	Look like colonial hydroids. Lights out won't do anything if so. I've had Peppermint shrimp eat them but they're hit or miss whether they will. __________________ secesh

07/13/2018, 09:15 PM	#11
caribfan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,922	I’d go butterfly route. Something halfway easy and cheap, maybe a raccoon. __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 50 Breeder Quarantine Tank, 240 Miracles Finally up and running, 29 Biocube - AI Nano

07/10/2018, 09:38 PM	#4
lightngsvt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ypsilanti Township, MI Posts: 57	Thanks, I might have to add a Butterfly to the tank. The LFS recommended a Chocolate Chip Starfish for some reason, while he is cool he hasn't touched the polyps.

07/10/2018, 09:58 PM	#6
lightngsvt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ypsilanti Township, MI Posts: 57	I've cut down on my feedings, got a new skimmer and have cut my lights back to about 5 hours per day. I was thinking of going dark for a few days, but am concerned how this will affect my fish?

07/12/2018, 02:34 PM	#9
rvareef In Memoriam Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 664	+1 colonial hydroids

07/12/2018, 04:55 PM	#10
lightngsvt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ypsilanti Township, MI Posts: 57	Will a Butterfly eat them? Or best to try a Peppermint shrimp? Or, best to just take the couple of rock out that have them and trash the rock? It is a fish-only tank, but dont want these things taking over!

07/14/2018, 07:24 AM	#12
lightngsvt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ypsilanti Township, MI Posts: 57	Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll stop by the LFS today and see what my options are.