What are these green "polyp" looking growths?

[coffeeisforclosers]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the hobby and the forum (this is my 4th post)... this is agreat forum! Anyway - I setup a 12g nanocube in early Feb, and I started to see little bright green "fingers" start to grow off my live rock about 3 weeks ago. These fingers (or polyps?) appear to have a white bulb in the tip and they all have a little "hair" growing on them. they are only affixed to the live rock. What are these? Are they good/bad for my tank?

Background on my tank: 12g Nanocube DX (http://www.jbjlighting.com/sys_12gdx_nanocube.html)
Setup: 2/20/05 - I added live rock (12lbs), live sand (10lbs) and actual sea water which I procured from my local fish store. The tank has been cyclcing since 2/20. All test look good - and I think the tank has cycled.

P.S. Some of them have started to wilt (lose their hair) since I added the 3 snails and 3 red leg hermit crabs.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like Neomeris sp. a harmless green algae.

mario

 

[coffeeisforclosers]

Thanks Mario.

Bingo! That's it... a little google resarch and I found a picture of Neomeris sp. that matched what I am seeing in my tank. I usually tend to let things "be" but my wife thinks they are ugly and would prefer they not be there. Anything I can do to rid the tank of them (biologically prefered - e.g. a snail, etc.)? Or should I just leave them alone?

P.S. I do eventually want to add an anemone to this tank to host my ocelaris clowns.

Cheers,
Dennis

 

[Anonymous]

If you've seen this link before, forgive me but here's a great spot to look for common reef hitch hikers...

http://www.reefs.org/hhfaq/

 

[Chubosco]

Maybe alot of people would argue this; but, as I understand the most progressive thinking, the only crabs you should really have would be blue leg crabs if you have a reef tank. Being a nano cube would indicate to me you have a reef with just a couple of fish. I say this because I started a nano cube (12 gal) as a sick tank. But being addicted to salt water, that was like buying a bottle of alcohol for a decoration when your an alcoholic!! I'm a sad case and getting worse. Thinking about a second morgage.