What is it?

[ecreel1]

I have got a pick of rock with some Zoas from someone else and once I got it into my tank and it was settled these little purple flower looking things popped up, been trying to figure out what they are...
Help?!?!
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[ripped tide]

Blue Clove polyps!!! Burn them with fire!!!

I would rather dump 100 aiptasias into my tank than 1 blue clove polyp.... I also exaggerate a bit, but still...

They had taken over my tank and I can't find anything that eats them or easy ways to kill them with out treating the whole tank.

 

[juston51]

I have them in my tank as well. Kind of took over one of my rocks at the bottom of the tank. I actually like them. Looks good under LED's.

 

[mcphock]

Yes, they are blue clove polyps. Friendly, beautiful purple hitch hiker or devil spawn.

They have a propensity to take over. Some people love them, some people hate them.

 

[ecreel1]

ok Thanks!! I think I will keep them for now.... They add variety of color to my tank....

 

[rdnelson]

I would be more worried about the bubble algae to the left of them in the picture.

 

[ecreel1]

"I would be more worried about the bubble algae to the left of them in the picture."

The greenery?! what does that mean?

 

[rdnelson]

From the picture, those green bubbles appear to be Bubble Algae. That can spread very fast and can be difficult to get rid of. You don't want to pop them or the spores will spread. If you can, get a better picture of them to be sure that is what it is but to me that is what it looks like.

 

[ripped tide]

I'd still welcome a frag with bubble algae into my system before blue cloves.

I have 7 female emeralds that keep bubble algae pretty controlled.

 

[jennm]

Blue cloves are either a love or hate thing. We have tons of them in our 65, we like them and so do most of the people who look at the tank.

They spawn and they settle everywhere and will fill in every available space, but for the most part, they don't hinder other corals. We always tell people how these behave and if you like everything in its place, this probably isn't the creature for you.

Same goes for stuff like Xenia, Green Star Polyps, Kenya Tree... some people hate them, but others really like them. It's a subjective thing. I just think it's only fair to let people know what they're in for if they place them in their tank.

In the original poster's case - if you don't want them filling in every space, get them out NOW. If you're OK with them filling every space - leave them be.

Jenn

 

[sleepyreef]

I think a lush patch of blue cloves is beautiful. What I don't like is how they spread from your lush patch and you have one here, two there, four over there. But the thing I hate the most is how they like to grow between some of my zoas.

Otherwise I think they are very pretty in a lush patch.

 

[jennm]

They won't stay in one place - that's what irritates people. They spawn, they spread - not just out from the original colony, the flow blows the gametes all over and they turn up all over.

I like them... but like I said, it's either a love or hate thing. They aren't everyone's cup of tea. Even with "full disclosure" we can't grow them fast enough, people are falling over each other to buy them.

Jenn

 

[ripped tide]

Many folks are going to have different experiences with these corals.

I agree that they are a filler coral. I disagree with the statement that they do not bother corals. I, personally, witnessed them invading and killing Zoas, sps, and chalice.

 

[winkkle]

i disagree with the sps part. I have some encrusting montis doing work on my blue clove population. As the monti encrusts, it just kills the blue cloves. I like the blue cloves id rather see some pretty blue purplish polyps than bare rock. jmo

 

[ripped tide]

winkkle;785142 wrote: i disagree with the sps part. I have some encrusting montis doing work on my blue clove population. As the monti encrusts, it just kills the blue cloves. I like the blue cloves id rather see some pretty blue purplish polyps than bare rock. jmo

Yeah montis, weren't what I had issues with. I actually removed most of the montis from that tank too.... Similar reasons

I guess I am just one of those people who like things in their places.

 

[jennm]

I guess it's survival of the fittest. In our 65 they go as far as the other coral, and stop. We have SPS (spongodes, millipora), LPS - blastos, lobos, bubble coral, candy coral and others, as well as softies - leathers, zoas, ricordea and rhodactis. The cloves surround them but leave them alone.

I guess it's a YMMV thing.

Jenn

 

[ripped tide]

<div class="gc_ifarem_title">Kill blue cloves - YouTube</div><iframe style="width: 70%; height: 400px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/K-iLPq-oUMU&feature=youtube_gdata_player"></iframe>

<div class="gc_ifarem_title">No more cloves - YouTube</div><iframe style="width: 70%; height: 400px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AcKG9k9e6gk&feature=youtube_gdata_player"></iframe>

 

[sleepyreef]

JennM;785146 wrote: In our 65 they go as far as the other coral, and stop. We have SPS (spongodes, millipora), LPS - blastos, lobos, bubble coral, candy coral and others, as well as softies - leathers, zoas, ricordea and rhodactis. The cloves surround them but leave them alone.
Jenn

The blue cloves are beautiful in that tank. Just put the blue cloves near that tank (last time I was in their they were across from it) and you will sell a billion blue cloves. Your tank in your store is a good example of what anyone can have in their home with a little patience and knowledge. It is an example of something I can do, more than the 500 gallon tanks (while beautiful in their own right) that I see in some other LFS.

 

[reeferman]

i hate em,they overgrow and choke out other corals and no telling what chemical warfare theyre having with other corals,especially acros.ive had them completely choke out beautiful zoa colonies.

 

[ecreel1]

They came in on a rock with Zoas....... I like them b/c the color is different. I also have 2 Kenya trees in the tank too.... so what does that mean....lol j/k

I have added more photos from different angles... hopefully they will help... Thanks everyone for your help on this.....
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