Unresolved Need help identifying zebra striped hitchiker

Discussion in 'ID This!' started by cowlr, Mar 2, 2013.

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  1. cowlr

    cowlr Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2013
    Messages:
    91
    I bought my first piece of coral, a monti cap, yesterday from a fairly reputable LFS. It didn't look bad in the display tank at the LFS, but it was towards the end of the day and their lighting was tapering down so I guess I didn't notice.

    Anyway, to be careful, I shook the frag for about 8 minutes in Coral RX mixed w/one gallon of my aquarium water. To my surprise, this morning, the piece is covered in tiny aiptasia flowers and has a few unidentified legs coming out of it.

    The legs are like extremely thin bristle worms, but are banded black and white like a zebra. I see 2 legs at the momment. I'm assuming this is a tiny brittle star? It came out when i fed cyclopeez so it (and the aiptasia) definitely made it through the Coral RX wash.

    Can you guys help me? I took a close up and distant shot for size reference. The frag is about 1.5".

    Also, what should I do about this aiptasia? I'm sure its already infested after a night of my vortechs blowing on it.
     

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  3. Recliner

    Recliner Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2013
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    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Looks like a brittle star to me.
    For the aiptasia you can use aiptasia x or peppermint shrimp
     
  4. Rawdogz

    Rawdogz Torch Coral

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Mars
    +1 agreed. and nice looking Spongodes
     
  5. cowlr

    cowlr Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2013
    Messages:
    91
    Spongodes? Is that what it is? Given it's apparent aggressive plating growth I assumped it was a cap of some sort. The spongodes don't look like they really plate. Here is another picture taken with my iphone from the front of the tank.
     

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  6. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
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    3,677
    That's not spongodes, it's a green cap of some sort. Looks sort of like a green apple cap. Pretty piece.