Confirm this is aptasia anemone?

[MoshJosh]

I saw this little guy waving around in the flow of the tank. At first I was like awesome a free cool thing. . . But after some research I think this might be one of those bad hitchhikers. It does look a little different than some of the pictures of small aptasia I’ve seen, so wanted to confirm before trying to rip it out

 

[jeffchapok]

I'd say so.

 

[MnFish1]

Its hard to tell - it would be nice to have a bigger picture. BUT - it looks quite a bit like it very well could be aiptasia. Either way - my guess is - its not something you are going to want long-term in your tank - especially if it spreads.

PS - you should look at one of the multiple threads on removing Aiptasia. If you just try to 'pull it off' - it can 1 grow back in the same place and 2 release small particles that will also spread all over. If I wanted to get rid of one I would take out the rock its on - scrub it maybe put some H2O2 on the spot - rinse and replace... Others use super glue, Kalk, etc to directly cover it. But most people would agree I think - not to just 'pull it out'

 

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

It sure is aptasia... I would not "rip it out". These easily reproduce when they feel threatened. I use Aiptasia-X but Red Sea and it works great. Put keep in mind, when there is one, there could be more. I would take a good look around your whole setup. Good luck

 

[QBackyardigans]

Believe so.. I’ve used Franks Aiptasia with success.

 

[DE FISH]

Yep I agree with the above aiptasia it’s like a cold your always gonna catch it.

 

[MnFish1]

PS - you can also try various shrimp (peppermint shrimp), filefish, copper band, etc - or there are berghia nudibranch that will attack and eat aiptasia - (and they will eat all of it - because @Dr. Peter Venkman said - when there is one - there are often more)

 

[MoshJosh]

my local store has peppermint shrimp in stock, I read they will eat this, is that a possibility if I can’t remove the rock (without taking every other rock out because it’s on the bottom)

 

[MnFish1]

my local store has peppermint shrimp in stock, I read they will eat this, is that a possibility if I can’t remove the rock (without taking every other rock out because it’s on the bottom)

See my post above. there are a number of things that will eat them. the CORRECT type of peppermint shrimp is one. I tried them when I had a bunch of aiptasia - they did not seem to help (and I also never saw them again after I put them in the tank). I think (though expensive) - the nudibranch is a good idea (they can be bought online) - or one of the fish - which if they eat it, will keep eating any new aiptasia that come up.

 

[Cell]

It's hard to tell. The tentacles look a bit thicker and more opaque than usual.

 

[MoshJosh]

My local store made a point of labeling them “true” peppermint shrimp. . . Not sure if that speaks to what type they are. . .

My Tank is only 5 gallons, so the fish and nudibranch are probably out

 

[Dburr1014]

If you can remove that rock, do it to kill it.
Like said already, if you can see 1, could be more. This might sound over kill but I would soak the rock in lime water. I hate the buggers.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Looks like it. Prepare for more to show up

aiptasia file fish or peppermint shrimp additions can keep them at bay

 

[MoshJosh]

Thank you for all the responses! I called the local Fish store that sells peppermints, but they were out. I had to go to Petco for some avian related needs, and wouldn’t you know what they had swimming around. . . An aptasia eating file Fish!

it’s pretty tiny right now, small enough I was comfortable putting it in this tiny tank. It will almost certainly have to be rehomed shortly. But until then I figure I’ll let it swim around and eat the anemones.

and it already ate one!!! The one I photographed was already eaten for lunch!

 

[damsels are not mean]

Hmmm remember that with the exception of berghia which are obligate aiptasiavores anything that eats aiptasia is capable and often willing to eat corals... I do not think these filefish are worth the risk to deal with a single polyp of aiptasia. The story with those seems to be the same every time. They eat aiptasia down until it only lives in the sump and then when the fish grows up it starts eating your prized acans or whatever.

 

[MoshJosh]

Luckily there are no corals in this tank at the moment. But eventually that is the plan. I guess it will be unfortunate if the aiptasia comes back after the file fish is gone though. . .

 

[damsels are not mean]

What I would do honestly is try to siphon it right off the rock. If it doesn't come easily, scrape it off with the siphon over it and hold it there to make sure you get all the pieces. Then glue over that spot to seal whatever's left.

 

[MoshJosh]

What I would do honestly is try to siphon it right off the rock. If it doesn't come easily, scrape it off with the siphon over it and hold it there to make sure you get all the pieces. Then glue over that spot to seal whatever's left.

Well I’m not entirely sure exactly the spot now that it’s been eaten, I guess I could reference my photo and make my best guess based on that. To glue it I imagine I just drain the tank to that level and use super glue gel?

 

[MnFish1]

Hmmm remember that with the exception of berghia which are obligate aiptasiavores anything that eats aiptasia is capable and often willing to eat corals... I do not think these filefish are worth the risk to deal with a single polyp of aiptasia. The story with those seems to be the same every time. They eat aiptasia down until it only lives in the sump and then when the fish grows up it starts eating your prized acans or whatever.

Interesting - I have one - never had a problem with soft or SPS

 

[damsels are not mean]

Interesting - I have one - never had a problem with soft or SPS

How long? Also SPS and softies tend to do better with corallivores than LPS.