Another chaeto hitcher [SOLVED: Aiptasia]

[SaltyCupcake]

Added some more chaeto to my 36g DT yesterday(I think it's pretty even though it can be messy). It also serves as extra hiding space for my horde of amphipods(it's a long story).

This morning after a large water change, I spotted this little guy under some of my purple life rock. I have no idea what it is, but I got the best picture that I could. It's roughly 1cm from its base to the tips of its arms.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Aiptasia

 

[SaltyCupcake]

Shoot! Ok, thanks.

 

[Auquanut]

Looks like aptasia. I'd get it out ASAP. The bad news is that if you have one, you almost certainly have more. How do you feel about peppermint shrimp?

 

[Miller535]

Definitely aiptasia. Chaeto is how aiptasia get into a lot of people's tank. That is why a lot of folks are buying "clean" chaeto from places like algae barn who claim theirs is hitchhiker free.

 

[SaltyCupcake]

Looks like aptasia. I'd get it out ASAP. The bad news is that if you have one, you almost certainly have more. How do you feel about peppermint shrimp?

I think they're adorable and have no aversions to having them in my tank at all. Do you think one or two might knock out that little guy and any others they find?

 

[SaltyCupcake]

Definitely aiptasia. Chaeto is how aiptasia get into a lot of people's tank. That is why a lot of folks are buying "clean" chaeto from places like algae barn who claim theirs is hitchhiker free.

I'll be sure to hit algae barn with some love the next time I need chaeto then. Thanks!

 

[monti mike]

I think they're adorable and have no aversions to having them in my tank at all. Do you think one or two might knock out that little guy and any others they find?

They’re cute until they eat your fish alive

 

[SaltyCupcake]

They’re cute until they eat your fish alive

Oh pickles. Would they bother a six line wrasse? It is the only fish I have that would be inhabiting the tank.

 

[Auquanut]

I think they're adorable and have no aversions to having them in my tank at all. Do you think one or two might knock out that little guy and any others they find?

I personally would kill the one you see, burn the remains, encase the ashes in concrete and bury it at least 30' deep. But that's just me. The shrimp would be for any new ones. I've had good results with peppermint shrimp. They absolutely won't kill your wrasse, but the wrasse could very possibly make a meal of the shrimp.

 

[monti mike]

Oh pickles. Would they bother a six line wrasse? It is the only fish I have that would be inhabiting the tank.

I think it depends how big your wrasse is compared to the aiptasia. I had an awesome little yasha goby and I found him face first in the aiptasia and he was being eaten alive. Sorry for the graphic image. After that I take a burn them all approach to those demon anemones. I tried kalk paste, aiptasia x and joes juice- nothing worked. I think others have had good luck with F-aiptasia though. Good luck!!

 

[SaltyCupcake]

I personally would kill the one you see, burn the remains, encase the ashes in concrete and bury it at least 30' deep. But that's just me. The shrimp would be for any new ones. I've had good results with peppermint shrimp. They absolutely won't kill your wrasse, but the wrasse could very possibly make a meal of the shrimp.

Roger that! Going to dig around on the forums for removal ideas and nuke that thing from orbit.

Shrimp are on the way and the earliest they will get here in on the 12th. Hopefully they can take care of business if I chicken out.

 

[SaltyCupcake]

I think it depends how big your wrasse is compared to the aiptasia. I had an awesome little yasha goby and I found him face first in the aiptasia and he was being eaten alive. Sorry for the graphic image. After that I take a burn them all approach to those demon anemones. I tried kalk paste, aiptasia x and joes juice- nothing worked. I think others have had good luck with F-aiptasia though. Good luck!!

Ahhh, thanks for the heads up. I'll check out the F-aiptasia.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

I think it depends how big your wrasse is compared to the aiptasia. I had an awesome little yasha goby and I found him face first in the aiptasia and he was being eaten alive. Sorry for the graphic image. After that I take a burn them all approach to those demon anemones. I tried kalk paste, aiptasia x and joes juice- nothing worked. I think others have had good luck with F-aiptasia though. Good luck!!

I took your comment as the peppermint eating the wrasse lol. I was very confused for a second

 

[Arthacker87]

Same here lol. But pep shrimp are decent but I think they are messing w some of my zoa so keep an eye out for that. Might just be me thinking that

 

[Miller535]

Peppermint shrimp are 50/50 at best if they will even touch aiptasia. Even when they do, they do not eat them at the rate they reproduce (generally). Especially being they would much rather the easy meal of whatever you are feeding the tank. Most people who buy peppermint shrimp in hopes of them fixing their problem with aiptasia end up very disappointed.

 

[monti mike]

I took your comment as the peppermint eating the wrasse lol. I was very confused for a second

Oh! Ha! Can you imagine?

 

[SaltyCupcake]

Peppermint shrimp are 50/50 at best if they will even touch aiptasia. Even when they do, they do not eat them at the rate they reproduce (generally). Especially being they would much rather the easy meal of whatever you are feeding the tank. Most people who buy peppermint shrimp in hopes of them fixing their problem with aiptasia end up very disappointed.

Understood. I'll try not to hang my hopes up on them. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Looks like aptasia

 

[Miller535]

Understood. I'll try not to hang my hopes up on them. Thanks for letting me know.

Also, I have never heard of peppermint shrimp eating a healthy fish, a dead or dying one maybe. Your wrasse on the other hand would eat the shrimp in a second if he catches it.