Growing in my rock

[GaryM1966]

Hi guys
This has got a little bigger over the last couple of weeks. Never noticed it when I started the tank last November
I don’t know what it is and I didn’t put it there
Any ideas? And do I need to act ??

 

[Neoalchemist]

Aiptasia. Kill it b4 it spreads. The #1 reef pest. Do your best to never let them in.

 

[GaryM1966]

Aiptasia. Kill it b4 it spreads. The #1 reef pest. Do your best to never let them in.

oh no !!!! What will it do?

 

[Fishy212]

If there is one in your tank already you will have a continuous battle on your hands. Some restart their tanks due to aptasia outbreak, If not taken care of properly it will spread like wild fire. Look up aptasia x, joes juice or something similar. Follow the instructions clearly. There are certain file fish, butterfly fish and certain kinds of nudibranchs that specialize in only eating aptasia. Good luck I hope this helps.

 

[cloak]

Aside from spreading like wildfire it stings pretty much everything is comes into contact with. You might want to add a couple Peppermint shrimp and see if they help.

 

[Neoalchemist]

Multiply exponentially, and sting everything it touches.
There are hundreds of threads on various ways to deal with them.
Use the search engine to find a method that works for you.

 

[Neoalchemist]

I would suggest Franks tanks, "F-aiptasia".

 

[GaryM1966]

That particular rock is lose so I could take it out if needed and then attack this pest with passion

 

[splitting_lanes]

That particular rock is lose so I could take it out if needed and then attack this pest with passion

Just hit it directly with kalk paste or one of the previously mentioned solutions and you should be good.

keep an eye out for any others

 

[cloak]

That particular rock is lose so I could take it out if needed and then attack this pest with passion

If that's the case a small butane torch or a cigarette lighter will work. The rock will get a little scorched, but this usually rubs off with some water.

 

[Neoalchemist]

That particular rock is lose so I could take it out if needed and then attack this pest with passion

Removing the rock if possible , would be best. Aiptasia, especially the larger ones like yours, will release planula(babies) into the water when attacked. One will become five and so on.
So being able to attack it outside of the tank is a huge advantage.

 

[Neoalchemist]

I might even break or chip off that piece of rock to be absolutely sure none of the anemone's foot isnt still attached. Ive burned them down to white rock in tank with kalkwasser only to have them grow back in a few weeks.

 

[GaryM1966]

I might even break or chip off that piece of rock to be absolutely sure none of the anemone's foot isnt still attached. Ive burned them down to white rock in tank with kalkwasser only to have them grow back in a few weeks.

Went one better and took the rock out and rearranged scape, now I now it’s out

 

[GaryM1966]

Just a little update, got rid of that rock and its hitch hiker but another appeared last week, recruited 2 x peppermint shrimp and they went to work on it and its gone.