Aiptasia in between zoa frag

[Kial]

I have a frag of zoas which are doing pretty well within the tank. However ive noticed 2 aiptasia heads popping out in between the zoa polyps. Everything seems fine for now but im worried that these could spread and ruin the frag.

What would be the best course of action for this? Don't want to tick of the zoas as they are doing well currently.

 

[sfin52]

I have a frag of zoas which are doing pretty well within the tank. However ive noticed 2 aiptasia heads popping out in between the zoa polyps. Everything seems fine for now but im worried that these could spread and ruin the frag.

What would be the best course of action for this? Don't want to tick of the zoas as they are doing well currently.

Superglue

 

[Glenner’sreef]

If you have room for a Copperband Butterfly fish? It will make a quick meal out of any and all Aptasias. Have had mine for almost 3 years.

 

[Kial]

If you have room for a Copperband Butterfly fish? It will make a quick meal out of any and all Aptasias. Have had mine for almost 3 years.

I would love a copperband again. However I've failed at this fish before in a previous tank so think I would need to wait for this tank to be a bit more established.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

I would love a copperband again. However I've failed at this fish before in a previous tank so think I would need to wait for this tank to be a bit more established.

Fyi, I too fail at my first CBB. I was only feeding it once a day in a moderately high flow tank. It starved. I’ve had “Bah” for close to 3 years. Multiple feedings per day and less flow because tangs and wrasses and damsels can outeat these fish 2 to 1! It’s really nice not having Aptasias.

 

[Kial]

Fyi, I too fail at my first CBB. I was only feeding it once a day in a moderately high flow tank. It starved. I’ve had “Bah” for close to 3 years. Multiple feedings per day and less flow because tangs and wrasses and damsels can outeat these fish 2 to 1! It’s really nice not having Aptasias.

Yeah my last tank had a pretty high flow. My current tank has a much lower flow, so it could work this time around.

I found my last one did eat but barely, then just slowly starved even after trying multiple types of foods

 

[bnord]

Peppermint shrimp work when you catch it early like this

might be able to spot treat with F Aptasia if they are all retracted - can you take the frag out of the water?

 

[Kial]

Peppermint shrimp work when you catch it early like this

might be able to spot treat with F Aptasia if they are all retracted - can you take the frag out of the water?

Yeah I'm able to take it out as it's only plugged into the rock at the moment, not glued. From what i can see there's 2 Aptasia heads on it poking through

Will peppermint shrimp pick at corals?

 

[Kial]

OK so I tried to use superglue. Think I've just made the situation worse as they were tucked up between some of the zoas.

Not sure if I managed to cover them but I got some glue on the side of a Zoa polyp

 

[vetteguy53081]

I will not recommend a copperband or filefish for ONE aptasia. Keep it simple-
Using syringe, inject either lemon juice or better yet. . kalkwasser powder mixed with tank water into a paste the consistency of toothpaste and inject into the very center core and it will melt away

 

[ZoWhat]

If the zoa can be removed... just razor blade the aiptasia out. More of a scraping motion than a cutting one.

Zoa tissue is tough and the tip of a blade if surgically applied can remove the aiptasia and not damage to zoa.

Pro tip: make sure you can see where the aiptasia is in normal ambient room light. Should present as darkish brown and slimey

Upon removal, swoosh the zoa in some RODI water to cleanse away aiptasia SPORES

 

[Sharkbait19]

Yeah I'm able to take it out as it's only plugged into the rock at the moment, not glued. From what i can see there's 2 Aptasia heads on it poking through

Will peppermint shrimp pick at corals?

If it’s a true peppermint shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni, it shouldn’t go for corals.

 

[Pkunk35]

When this happens to me I lift the zoa away from the rock to find the point at where the aiptasia is attached to the rock (it always is) and then tweeze or razor away the entire body. Rinse the frag outside the tank to avoid remnants propagating.

kalk works too but I worry it may destroy some zoas.

 

[ColoredRock]

Like this... ugh

Going all at it in the morning with f-aiptasia NS I have filefish.. does an amazing job on the small ones.

 

[Kial]

Like this... ugh

Going all at it in the morning with f-aiptasia.

That's exactly like mine just on a larger scale, as mine was just a frag plug. If you use that f-aiptasia on that and get some on the zoas will it damage them?

 

[ColoredRock]

That's exactly like mine just on a larger scale, as mine was just a frag plug. If you use that f-aiptasia on that and get some on the zoas will it damage them?

Yes it will kill them.

 

[ColoredRock]

If the zoa can be removed... just razor blade to aiptasia out. More of a scraping motion than a cutting one.

Zoas are tough and the tip of a blade if surgically applied can remove the aiptasia and not damage to zoa.

Pro tip: make sure you can see where the aiptasia is in normal ambient room light. Should present as darkest brown and slimey

Upon removal, swoosh the zoa in some RODI water to cleanse aiptasia SPORES

he knows zoes... sounds like good advice.