Need Help with a pest.

[bill_fit]

Has anybody seen this before ? I need an ID . The stuff isnt algae its some kind of hydroid ,maybe, when I started feeding fresh hatched brine it exploded all over the tank. It has a sting that kills zoa's ,corals can out sting it

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This is what I'm talking about the brown stuff around the pocci colony.

 

[tike]

Looks like bryopsis to me. Read about it HERE.

 

[bill_fit]

tike666 thanks for the response bryopsis is an algae not an animal but your right it does kind of look simular in that pic. I'll get a better close up pic posted today.

 

[bill_fit]

Here's a better close up pic.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Stinging hydroid, google it

 

[charlesr1958]

Agreed, a hydroid species which I don't know of any method to remove them other than replacing the rock or scrubbing them off of the rock, but be carefull, they can pack a powerfull sting. Wear gloves and eye protection should you scrub the rock.

Chuck

 

[bill_fit]

Thanks for the replys. So far goggling has confirmed its a stinging hydroid but I haven't found a solution other than as you say manual removal or starting over.

For now I'll stick with manual removal and restricting its food supply.

 

[bill_fit]

Charlesr1958 I see your from the phillipines any chance you could find a nudibranch on this same species of hydroid.

Maybe you could start a nich market a different nudibranch for every hydroid.

 

[charlesr1958]

I've inspected many hydroids (and paid for it when not wearing gloves..lol) out on the reefs with the intention of doing just what you suggested. So far, I've never found anything other than commensal shrimp on or near the hydroids. Lots of small juvenile reef fish use the larger hydroids as shelter but thats about all I've seen so far. I'm also trying to figure out exactly what algae species will be consumed by the various snails that I find as well. Green algae is a common favorite amongst herbivores which makes sense as the browns and reds tend to have more potent defensive compounds and it takes a specialized herbivore able to consume such compounds and not drop dead. I recently found two species of snails that will consume the common red pest (hair) algae and will be working to get some live specimens out to where others can breed them and get them into the hobby.

Chuck

 

[bill_fit]

Thats very cool. Good luck and stay safe.