Aptasia

[Hilltopreef90]

if there’s aptasia in a tank where fish or coral is being sold is there a danger of it getting into your tank even if you dip the coral and no water is transferred into your tank

 

[Uzidaisies]

if there’s aptasia in a tank where fish or coral is being sold is there a danger of it getting into your tank even if you dip the coral and no water is transferred into your tank

Yes. I’ve seen at least one Aiptasia in all three of the lfs within about an hour from me. Blacklisting every lfs I see an Aiptasia in is kinda off the table for me.

 

[Subsea]

Yes, it’s possible. What ever you transfer from dip still has water that has not seen dip chemicals. Consider biofilm on macro surfaces. Corals and Aptasia have mucos layers for protection. You can not sterilize everything without killing it.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

if there’s aptasia in a tank where fish or coral is being sold is there a danger of it getting into your tank even if you dip the coral and no water is transferred into your tank

This is the reason for people having coral quarenteen tanks

 

[Subsea]

This is the reason for people having coral quarenteen tanks

How long for coral qt? 72 days like ich?

 

[((FORDTECH))]

How long for coral qt? 72 days like ich?

I honestly don’t know but would assume a lot less then 72 days cause aptasia grows fast and you will see it in couple weeks

 

[Hilltopreef90]

I honestly don’t know but would assume a lot less then 72 days cause aptasia grows fast and you will see it in couple weeks

So most would agree that it’s not a good idea to purchase fish or coral that is in a tank with aptasia present ?
What does a person do if the only places selling fish and corals locally have this problem, is there any way to prevent it from transferring into your tank?

 

[Jimmyneptune]

Has there been anyone who has not had aiptasia in there tank? I at one time did, I had colonial hydroids instead. Fun times, aiptasia is great compared to the hydroids.

 

[((FORDTECH))]

So most would agree that it’s not a good idea to purchase fish or coral that is in a tank with aptasia present ?
What does a person do if the only places selling fish and corals locally have this problem, is there any way to prevent it from transferring into your tank?

I am not saying that. IMO no matter what you do you will end up with aptasia in your display tank so don’t stress over it. The point is to minimize it and try to clean much as you can before putting corals in tank. I would say 90% of reefers here have aptasia including myself

 

[Coxey81]

How long for coral qt? 72 days like ich?

If you are just wanting to check for aiptasia, you could probably do 30 to 45 and observe. If you are wanting to make sure there are no fish parasite tomants that might be on your corals you would need to go 45 days at 81 degrees I believe is the new understanding. 72 was the old belief I think, but that was at a lower temp.

This ensures they starve out from my understanding.

 

[Hilltopreef90]

Has there been anyone who has not had aiptasia in there tank? I at one time did, I had colonial hydroids instead. Fun times, aiptasia is great compared to the hydroids.

What are hydroids ?

 

[Subsea]

When I combine post #9 & #10 with 50 continuous years of Reefing, I say quarantine is “much todo“ with little proven results for all of the work. To eliminate hydroids & Aptasia from introduction, I dip with peroxide for 10 minutes. Like most things, early elimination protocoal is much easier than plague population eradication.

What are hydroids ?

Digitate Hydroids (Good Or Bad?) | Reef Tank Resource

Digitate hydroids, and other hydroids found in reef aquariums, are known to sting corals and fish. They definitely fall into the "Bad" category.

reeftankresource.com

 

[Hilltopreef90]

When I combine post #9 & #10 with 50 continuous years of Reefing, I say quarantine is “much todo“ with little proven results for all of the work.

Digitate Hydroids (Good Or Bad?) | Reef Tank Resource

Digitate hydroids, and other hydroids found in reef aquariums, are known to sting corals and fish. They definitely fall into the "Bad" category.

reeftankresource.com

I’ve not had aiptasia in years, I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve always had peppermint shrimp in my tanks since my early days of learning to keep a tank when ended up with my entire tank overrun with it.
what fish are also known to eat it ?

 

[Subsea]

I’ve not had aiptasia in years, I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve always had peppermint shrimp in my tanks since my early days of learning to keep a tank when ended up with my entire tank overrun with it.
what fish are also known to eat it ?

Some butterfly fish and some angels might graze on them but it’s hit or miss. From my perspective, Aptasia are easily eradicated in tank using hydrogen peroxide with a needle or a toothbrush.

A fish that eats Aptasia is also likely to graze on coral polyps.

 

[fishybizzness]

Some butterfly fish and some angels might graze on them but it’s hit or miss. From my perspective, Aptasia are easily eradicated in tank using hydrogen peroxide with a needle or a toothbrush.

A fish that eats Aptasia is also likely to graze on coral polyps.

Please explain your method if you don't mind. Thanks

 

[Just John]

What are hydroids ?

A pain in the rear

 

[Just John]

I have had aiptasia make it in on frags from the more trustworthy big name online sellers. If you buy anywhere online it will be a possibility.

 

[Subsea]

Please explain your method if you don't mind. Thanks

Is “in tank eradication of Aptasia“ the method you wish explained?

 

[Subsea]

Is “in tank eradication of Aptasia“ the method you wish explained?

@fishybizzness

Much in the same way as I use toothbrush with peroxide to remove GHA. If Aptasia is in depth of porous live rock, then I use a needle and inject into interior. It is always best to penetrate protective mucus layer with peroxide by using toothbrush or needle.