best way to kill single aiptasia?

jduong916 · Dec 27, 2017

concentrated salt solution. The guy that made the majano wand said it works, and what do you know, it does

timfountain · Dec 27, 2017

+2.
In 20 years of reef keeping I've tried everything. The only 2 that worked were kalk paste injections and entombing the buggers with reef-safe putty. All else will fail. Also, as others have said, you must be ruthless, if you see even one in the tank, you must eradicate it right there and then. No prisoners.

timfountain · Dec 27, 2017

I've also heard that high(er) power lasers in the 2W+ range may work. Never tried that an don't think I ever will.....

reeferanonymous · Dec 27, 2017

I’m find bristle file fish work well

MrineLfRlz · Dec 27, 2017

Ive tried peppermint shrimp i know they are hit and miss but i bought like 4 for my 75g and it took some time and i also tried killing the big ones off with kalk paste i guess when they were growing back small the shrimp took care of the rest because they finally disappeared

bgoldb · Dec 27, 2017

Joe's Juice has worked well for me.

Al vidoni · Dec 27, 2017

Duane Clark said:
I have a single aiptasia about the size of a dime in my 14g nano. Its right up next to my hammer and appears to be stinging it (polyps on that side are withdrawn). What is the best way to rid my tank of this pest? hot RO water or one of the commercial products available?

Through a little File fish in and you'll never have to worry about those again stay small nice little addition to any reef tank

mhumphre · Dec 27, 2017

I use one of those large turkey syringe without a needle and fill it with boiling hot water shoot it right on top of the aiptasia. It's quick easy and free.

._Z_. · Dec 27, 2017

Any updates from OP? I’ve also got a single Aiptasia, problem is it came right in the middle of a frag of palys, I’m not sure which method to use without harming any of the paly heads. Any suggestions?

jason12e · Dec 27, 2017

._Z_. said:
Any updates from OP? I’ve also got a single Aiptasia, problem is it came right in the middle of a frag of palys, I’m not sure which method to use without harming any of the paly heads. Any suggestions?

I'm not the OP, but I had quite a similar problem when a single head of aiptasia popped its head up on the side of my scolymia, stinging its flesh. Keeping the coral alive and well was my number one priority, so I applied a generous amount of superglue around the entire skeleton/rock.

Scared to inject lemon juice or boiling RO water too close to the flesh. Also didn't want to treat the entire tank with chemicals just for a single (visible) aiptasia head.

Scoly is now fully healed and happy!

Duane Clark · Dec 27, 2017

Al vidoni said:
Through a little File fish in and you'll never have to worry about those again stay small nice little addition to any reef tank

even a 14g nano?

Duane Clark · Dec 27, 2017

._Z_. said:
Any updates from OP? I’ve also got a single Aiptasia, problem is it came right in the middle of a frag of palys, I’m not sure which method to use without harming any of the paly heads. Any suggestions?

sure. well I first entombed him with super glue. he popped out another hole the next day. so I blasted him with 10ml of boiling water. It's been 2 1/2 days and so far no sign of him.

Tom Blevins · Dec 27, 2017

Dime size purple epoxy putty.

Robert Najuch · Dec 27, 2017

I bought some syringes with needles online and inject the aiptasia with vinegar. Works like a charm. I also use the same method to hold back my pulsing xenias that have gotten a bit out of control. Works well with bubble algae too. If the aiptasia is in a small hole in a rock, that's even better. Turn off the pumps before you do it. Also, I like to dose with PH buffer afterwards just in case but it might not be needed since I never put more than 2 or 3 ML in my 36 gal tank at a time.

Nick617 · Dec 27, 2017

peppermint shrimps works for me

Robert Najuch · Dec 27, 2017

I bought some syringes with needles online and inject the aiptasia with vinegar. Works like a charm. I also use the same method to hold back my pulsing xenias that have gotten a bit out of control. Works well with bubble algae too. If the aiptasia is in a small hole in a rock, that's even better. Turn off the pumps before you do it. Also, I like to dose with PH buffer afterwards just in case but it might not be needed since I never put more than 2 or 3 ML in my 36 gal tank at a time.

tankstudy · Dec 27, 2017

Dsnakes said:
Dynamite. I started my first one with aiptasia x. Must have not completely covered it fast enough, now it's just a maintenance task. They are popped up all over.

I've learned to cope with their existence in my tank. I pluck 2-3 every 2-3 weeks and its done pretty well.

However, I would imagine it would be near impossible in a system that has a giant rock pile. I have just a few rocks and a ton of sand.

Duane Clark · Dec 27, 2017

Robert Najuch said:
Works well with bubble algae too

how do you do this for bubble algae? I am about to remove some.

Dsnakes · Dec 27, 2017

Duane Clark said:
how do you do this for bubble algae? I am about to remove some.

Hopefully it is on a removable item. You'll want to remove it from tank and scrub it off and rinse well. The spores can spread if popped in the tank. Depending what it's on, a peroxide rinse will help kill any remaining spores after cleaning the object.