Aiptasia reproduction

[Back where it all began]

Hi. I recently noticed two to three of these hiding on the undersurface of a bottom rock. I purchased 3 peppermint shrimp as that’s all my lfs had at that time. I also purchased a CBB but had to return it since my Kole tang kept threatening it.
So I purchased Aiptasia-x while waiting for more shrimp to arrive next week.
I see none anywhere else in my system, just this one locale. For now.
I know that the reproduce asexually and people have mentioned that disturbing them spreads them like crazy.
So this brings my to the question as to how fast do they reproduce if left I disturbed? I intend to get the shrimp, but once you start use chemical means, aren’t you just increasing their rate of spread? Aren’t they better left alone to deal with “naturally?”

 

[Reefelite]

I would not use the Aiptasia-X as it will make it spread unless you can cover the whole aiptasia including the base. Peppermint shrimps always worked for me.

 

[Pistondog]

Hi. I recently noticed two to three of these hiding on the undersurface of a bottom rock. I purchased 3 peppermint shrimp as that’s all my lfs had at that time. I also purchased a CBB but had to return it since my Kole tang kept threatening it.
So I purchased Aiptasia-x while waiting for more shrimp to arrive next week.
I see none anywhere else in my system, just this one locale. For now.
I know that the reproduce asexually and people have mentioned that disturbing them spreads them like crazy.
So this brings my to the question as to how fast do they reproduce if left I disturbed? I intend to get the shrimp, but once you start use no chemical means, aren’t you just increasing their rate of spread? Aren’t they better left alone to deal with “naturally?”

I bought a filefish, but he didn't eat the aptasia as long as other food was available, but eventually did the job.
Another tank has aiptasia, they reproduce 'slowly'.
They make thru the glass lasers for this.
Try one and report back please, I'm chicken to try.

 

[Back where it all began]

I bought a filefish, but he didn't eat the aptasia as long as other food was available, but eventually did the job.
Another tank has aiptasia, they reproduce 'slowly'.
They make thru the glass lasers for this.
Try one and report back please, I'm chicken to try.

I saw briefly a mention of the laser but didn’t look further as I thought the cost would be high. Maybe time to look again.

 

[Back where it all began]

I would not use the Aiptasia-X as it will make it spread unless you can cover the whole aiptasia including the base. Peppermint shrimps always worked for me.

I agree. From what I’ve read, they still seem to best way. After my bad luck with the CBB and my tang,I’m shy of trying a filefish.

 

[Pistondog]

I agree. From what I’ve read, they still seem to best way. After my bad luck with the CBB and my tang,I’m shy of trying a filefish.

That is why my other tank still has aptasia. It also has a wrasse and dottyback which harassed the filefish.

 

[ScottB]

Peppermints can eventually manage the population unless your reef has high flow like mine. They aren't comfortable in high flow. I have tried and tried with them.

The final solution is Berghia Nudibranch from reeftown.com but this is an expensive solution. So try the others first.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

Hi. I recently noticed two to three of these hiding on the undersurface of a bottom rock. I purchased 3 peppermint shrimp as that’s all my lfs had at that time. I also purchased a CBB but had to return it since my Kole tang kept threatening it.
So I purchased Aiptasia-x while waiting for more shrimp to arrive next week.
I see none anywhere else in my system, just this one locale. For now.
I know that the reproduce asexually and people have mentioned that disturbing them spreads them like crazy.
So this brings my to the question as to how fast do they reproduce if left I disturbed? I intend to get the shrimp, but once you start use chemical means, aren’t you just increasing their rate of spread? Aren’t they better left alone to deal with “naturally?”

Hey. Sorry to hear about the pest problem you're having. You will get varying perspectives on this issue. I've researched this and other forums, and as you will see there are varying thoughts on this. I used Aptasia X for 1 Aiptasia that I found on a frag plug. I am still relatively new to this, and I was also told to glue the pest.

I used Aiptasia X months ago and haven't seen one more since (fingers crossed). Best of luck!

 

[Pistondog]

I agree. From what I’ve read, they still seem to best way. After my bad luck with the CBB and my tang,I’m shy of trying a filefish.

Killed 1 by removing at the base and h202ing the remains. He was in an accessible place, not always possible.

 

[Back where it all began]

I watched a video of a guy using a 5 millivolt laser that can be used for this purpose. The beam is adjusted to a fine point and the aiptasia is “fried”. One of my concerns is them spreading as this process is going on since it takes several minutes to cook one. The laser cost around $60. The guy has a YouTube channel and seemed to have no vested interest in it.

 

[Back where it all began]

How easy are these things to remove? Could a person take a gravel cleaner such as a python, attach it to a pump, and place it over the aiptasia and basically suck it right off and out of the water column before it can spread?

 

[Pistondog]

I watched a video of a guy using a 5 millivolt laser that can be used for this purpose. The beam is adjusted to a fine point and the aiptasia is “fried”. One of my concerns is them spreading as this process is going on since it takes several minutes to cook one. The laser cost around $60. The guy has a YouTube channel and seemed to have no vested interest in it.

I think the Lazar challenge is to get complete removal, or after a few weeks, he'll be back.

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I watched a video of a guy using a 5 millivolt laser that can be used for this purpose. The beam is adjusted to a fine point and the aiptasia is “fried”. One of my concerns is them spreading as this process is going on since it takes several minutes to cook one. The laser cost around $60. The guy has a YouTube channel and seemed to have no vested interest in it.

LOL sounds....interesting.

 

[ScottB]

How easy are these things to remove? Could a person take a gravel cleaner such as a python, attach it to a pump, and place it over the aiptasia and basically suck it right off and out of the water column before it can spread?

No you cannot syphon them off. The will retract and cling tightly. Your removal process (whichever you choose) should be done outside of your reef if at all possible. When molested, they spawn.

 

[Back where it all began]

No you cannot syphon them off. The will retract and cling tightly. Your removal process (whichever you choose) should be done outside of your reef if at all possible. When molested, they spawn.

Thanks. I had a feeling you were going to say that. The laser is a cool idea, perhaps a bit too untested for me. I will go with the shrimp as I only have a very few now, but need to keep on it.