Aptasia ? +help for method to kill

[GazS]

Hi,

As you can see, i believe a hitchhiker has been hiding amongst my palthoas. I assume its an aptaisa, but looking for confirmation please.

Also, it is very much nestled amongst the palthoa heads... will aptasia-x nuke the heads around it too? Any suggestions on course of action, also concious of the fact that these are Palys, so taking them out of the water with palytoxin etc i might want to avoid.

Thanks,
G

 

[RobertTheNurse]

Looks like aiptasia. I've had success with Aiptasia X, most will say it just creates an outbreak, but it's been a year since I nuked mine and none have since returned.

I think proper application is key. Some say "glue" where it's coming from...but I hate the fact that it's still alive somewhere.

That, or throw away the frag.

My 2 cents

 

[JedClampett]

Lemon juice all the way, but I’m a diy type of guy. Aptasia x will take care of that too

 

[RobertTheNurse]

I also used it on my frag and the remaining zoas grew over time. It may have damaged a polyp...but it has since grown all over

 

[GazS]

Thanks @Mschoolman and @RobertTheNurse!

I dont want to throw the frag away as theres a lot of healthy heads there and it was my first coral so im attached

I will order some aptasia-x and try to get it and hope i dont have too much collateral damage.

 

[mvbrandt]

Alternative is order half a dozen CB Berghia nudibranches and putting them into the tank near it. They will take care of any unseen babies also.

 

[Billdogg]

I prefer a syringe and boiling water. You might damage the closest of the zoanthids (not palythoas IMO) but they will quickly recover.

 

[GazS]

I prefer a syringe and boiling water. You might damage the closest of the zoanthids (not palythoas IMO) but they will quickly recover.

Thanks for the advice! Re the "palys" they were sold to me as lord of the ring palythoa... any idea what they could be?

 

[reefteaser]

Thanks for the advice! Re the "palys" they were sold to me as lord of the ring palythoa... any idea what they could be?

Thanks for the advice! Re the "palys" they were sold to me as lord of the ring palythoa... any idea what they could be?

I tried Aptasia X, and it worked fine for the ones I treated, but more kept coming. Frank’s F-Aptasia worked better for me. It took a few applications, but appears to have stopped the spread. It’s been almost 2 months now since I’ve spotted any.

 

[droblack]

If your tank is big enough, copper banded butterflyfish can make quick work of aptasia. My favorite solution, and a beautiful fish.

 

[GazS]

If your tank is big enough, copper banded butterflyfish can make quick work of aptasia. My favorite solution, and a beautiful fish.

Alas, unfortunately I have a small tank so no butterflyfish. Maybe next year when I get the big tank.

 

[WallyB]

This article is a good read.

https://www.liveaquaria.com/article/294/?aid=294

You have to act quick, before one aptasia becomes more aptasia, and there could already be more on the rock you have.
Some could be small and invisible, in the tiny pores of the rock.

Getting Copperband fish, and Pepermints shrimp isn't a guarentee. Berghia do wonders, but they die when no more aptasia since that's all they eat, and they may not get every since aptasia anyway.

If this is your first aptasia in your tank (ie the rock with palys), consider treating outside the tank. What I would call a small Coral QT setup. (or Aptasia QT treatment setup)

The paly's are hardy and get yourself a small container and some water from your tank.
Maybe even float the container so water stays tank temperature.

Then do the treatments for aptasia that you have available. (AptasiaX, Joe's Juice are my two favourites), but I like Joe's juice better.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=aptasia+joe's+juice&ref=nb_sb_noss

*** DO NOT Cut or burn the Palys's since certain Palys could release very harmful and poisonous toxins ***
*** Wear gloves, and alway rinse your hands **
** Never EVER touch your EYES or MOUTH after touching palys **

Always dump the water in the container to get rid of any Aptasia remenants, and rinse you paly rock before putting back into the container of new tank water.

Wait for a week or so and see if another aptasia shows up. If not put back into you tank and keep an close eye for aptasia to appear. If one does, repeat the above Aptasia out of tank Treatment.


Yes this may be a pain but you will have more work if the aptasia start speading in your tank setup. They will attach and grow , multiply everywhere including glass, pumps, tubing, anything wet with the most minimal of light.

Remember when you distrub, or try and kill the aptasia, it's survival response is to spread if you don't kill it 100%.

 

[Islandvib3s]

lemon, kalk, ro microwaved, hydrogen peroxide and make paste, syringe and kiss it good bye.