Hitchhiker ID Needed

[EliMelly]

Hello,

I bought three new zoa plugs today and did not dip, lesson for the future… when putting them in the tank I noticed on one of the plugs what seems to be aiptasia and I’m not sure about the other. Please let me know based on the pictures what you think. I already took the one that looked like it had three aiptasias on it and have it in a container. Should I remove the other plugs as well, as I just added them about an hour ago and they were from the same tank.

Thanks!!

 

[JoJosReef]

Yup. I Aiptasia-X or F-Aiptasia them in a separate container with saltwater and watch for more popping up.

 

[EliMelly]

Should I add all three or just the one that has them?

 

[EliMelly]

Is this also a hitchhiker ?

 

[JoJosReef]

If they are easily removed, I would just keep a close eye on the other two. If you see anything aiptasia-like coming out of them, take them out--some might recommend taking them out anyway and quarantining them, but that may or may not be convenient for you.

RE: second pic, hard to see it clearly, but that does not look good to me. I'd try another pic for positive ID--has it moved?

 

[EliMelly]

If they are easily removed, I would just keep a close eye on the other two. If you see anything aiptasia-like coming out of them, take them out--some might recommend taking them out anyway and quarantining them, but that may or may not be convenient for you.

RE: second pic, hard to see it clearly, but that does not look good to me. I'd try another pic for positive ID--has it moved?

I pulled it off with tweezers and it fell in the tank … so the other two plugs leave in the tank or should I keep them in a container as well?

 

[JoJosReef]

I pulled it off with tweezers and it fell in the tank … so the other two plugs leave in the tank or should I keep them in a container as well?

Most prudent: keep them in separate containers. if they are all zoas, they should be fine overnight (if they are super expensive zoas, might want to take extra precautions like larger container, more saltwater and temp control). Oberserve and treat as needed--that first one, of course, needs treatment for aiptasia.

RE: hitchhiker that fell in the tank, could have been a polyclad flatworm. Do you have fish that eat flatworms? If not, I've spotted them cruising around at night and been able to take them out with a turkey baster.

 

[EliMelly]

Most prudent: keep them in separate containers. if they are all zoas, they should be fine overnight (if they are super expensive zoas, might want to take extra precautions like larger container, more saltwater and temp control). Oberserve and treat as needed--that first one, of course, needs treatment for aiptasia.

RE: hitchhiker that fell in the tank, could have been a polyclad flatworm. Do you have fish that eat flatworms? If not, I've spotted them cruising around at night and been able to take them out with a turkey baster.

I do not have a fish that eats flat works I’m the tank is only a month old. How would you suggest treating the aiptasia ? Which fish eat the flat worms?

 

[JoJosReef]

For aiptasia on a zoa frag, I prefer F-aiptasia. But if you don't have that or Aiptasia-X on hand, you can make a thick kalk paste and inject it on the oral disk of the aiptasia. If no kalk paste, you can inject lemon juice into the aiptasia via the oral disk with a syringe. If no lemon juice, you can inject boiling water super carefully into it with a syringe. Worst case, if you don't have a syringe, you can pipette boiling water directly onto it, but that might kill some of the zoa polyps that come in contact with the boiling water.

For the *potential* polyclad flatworm, I'd refer you to the wrasse lovers for advice @i cant think but, not sure a new fish should be the first course of action, here. Trapping/catching might be best--I understand flatworms will gravitate to a piece of clam if you put it in at night.

 

[EliMelly]

For aiptasia on a zoa frag, I prefer F-aiptasia. But if you don't have that or Aiptasia-X on hand, you can make a thick kalk paste and inject it on the oral disk of the aiptasia. If no kalk paste, you can inject lemon juice into the aiptasia via the oral disk with a syringe. If no lemon juice, you can inject boiling water super carefully into it with a syringe. Worst case, if you don't have a syringe, you can pipette boiling water directly onto it, but that might kill some of the zoa polyps that come in contact with the boiling water.

For the *potential* polyclad flatworm, I'd refer you to the wrasse lovers for advice @i cant think but, not sure a new fish should be the first course of action, here. Trapping/catching might be best--I understand flatworms will gravitate to a piece of clam if you put it in at night.

I can buy some tomorrow, would you suggest the franks aiptasia killer?

 

[JoJosReef]

I can buy some tomorrow, would you suggest the franks aiptasia killer?

Haven't tried Frank's yet, but read reviews that say it works well.

 

[SneaksMcdoogle]

There zoe’s they do great in a hydrogen peroxide bath, and that kills the dreaded aiptasia

 

[SneaksMcdoogle]

A while back Justin Credabel published this chart detailing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide appropriate for dipping various genera of corals. I've used these guidelines myself a few times to remove algae from coral frags and it's been quite effective.

---

Justin Credabel's hydrogen peroxide dipping guidelines

Tolerance
Dip 5 minutes Milliliters of Hydrogen Peroxide 3% to 1 Liter of Seawater. Type of Cnidarian

Low 20-40ml
Acropora (tolerance varies widely among species), Montipora, Astreopora, Duncanopsammia, Turbinaria, Galaxia, Cyhpastrea, (*Alveopora)(**Hydnophora) Echinophyllia, Mycedium, Oxypora, Tubastrea,

Low/Med 50-70ml
Pocillopora, Seriatopora, Stylophora, Caulastrea, Clavularia, Pachyclavularia, Sympodium, Cespitularia, Yellow Leathers, Pachyceris, Echinpora, Leptoseris, Pectinia, Psammacora

Medium 80-120ml
Porites, Xenia, Brown Leathers, Pavona, Fungiids, Heliofungia,

Med/High 130-200ml
Goniopora, Favia, Favites, Goniastrea, Platygyra, Leptastrea, Blastomussa, Cynarina, Physogyra, Plerogyra, Symphyllia, Sinularia, Corallimorpharian (Mushroom Anemone)

High 210-350ml
Zoanthids, Palythoa, Scolymia, Acansthstrea, Micromussa, Lobophyllia, Euphyllia, Catalaphyllia, Trachyphyllia,

 

[InvictusReef]

Hello,

I bought three new zoa plugs today and did not dip, lesson for the future… when putting them in the tank I noticed on one of the plugs what seems to be aiptasia and I’m not sure about the other. Please let me know based on the pictures what you think. I already took the one that looked like it had three aiptasias on it and have it in a container. Should I remove the other plugs as well, as I just added them about an hour ago and they were from the same tank.

Thanks!!

That is without a doubt, 100% aptasia. Kill it, but do it out of water so that it doesn’t spore all over your tank.

 

[olonmv]

A bayer dip will kill the aptasia without affecting the zoas. Use caution when handling the bayer if you go that route.

 

[EliMelly]

Thanks! I bought one of those aiptasia removers and sprayed over the affected area and everything has been clean for over a week!