How easily does aiptasia spread?

[WVNed]

I have some that came through 15 feet of pipe to get in my tank.

 

[Kyuss414]

I have a pretty basic tank, just some softies & LPS in a 150G, and rarely add new stuff since at this point it's been up for 7+ years (I probably stopped, other than fish/inverts around the 3 year mark.) I caught an aiptasia outbreak like 5 years in, easily a year + since I added anything to the tank. Bought peppermint shrimp when they first started appearing (never saw any on anything I added) and they just couldn't keep up with how quickly it started to spread. Finally managed to get them under control with the addition of a Klein's Butterfly and between him and the shrimp they're now nearly absent in my tank. I can only manage to find one or two of the large ones left, but they stay tucked in the rock as the butterfly still nips away at them. The peppermint shrimp seem to finally have a handle on any new ones.

Another interesting thing, I have approximately 30g fuge in my sump which of course got infested too. I've noticed that they also have severely declined as well, though they are still there, with nothing (invert, fish, etc) ever being added to it. I've thought about trying to remove the ones in the fuge manually but at this point I'm just letting it play out as I fear disturbing them in that way will just cause them to spread once again.

Can't imagine how difficult it would be to tackle in a packed SPS tank once an outbreak started, or even as how to mitigate the potential introduction to them with, relatively speaking, adding a lot more stuff to in that type of tank. They definitely are a pain once the invasion starts, and honestly I feel lucky the klein's butterfly worked as well as he does and doesn't bother any of the relatively "cheap" corals I have.

 

[RobupstateNY]

I visited a LFS over the weekend and was looking to pick up some coral frags. However, I decided to hold off after I noticed aiptasia growing in a number of the tanks. I took a look at the plumbing and like most LFS, they plumb many tanks together. The two tanks that had some frags that I wanted to purchase did not have any aiptasia. However, these tanks were plumbed together with other tanks that did.

So my question to the R2R community... how easily does aiptasia spread? Even though there wasn't any visible aiptasia in the two tanks with the frags I wanted, is it possible that those tanks contain aiptasia cells that I could ultimately end up introducing into my own tanks?

Thanks in advance!

Like a forest fire

 

[Rilo]

Ever since I bought F-Aiptasia I stopped worrying of coral with aiptasia on it.

When I was in the early stages of setting up my 10g I put some live rock from my established reef in the 10g. It had aiptasia and with some F-Aiptasia and monitoring I eradicated it. There was still some in the system post tank setup. but I spot treated with f-aiptasia. I'm going 3+ months strong without aiptasia.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Peppermint shrimp: “my partner and I ate all the aiptasia in Scott’s tank. But then we developed a taste for acans and other fleshy LPS” Peppermints (Lysmata Wurdemanni) variety, work well but will turn to LPS after the job is done. I had a small outbreak and all aiptasia were gone in less than two weeks. They also cleaned out my amphipod population. But hey, it’s a price I’m willing to pay.

Sorry to hear that your shrimp ate your acans. So I added 2 peppermint shrimp to my tank last February, tank was only about 1 month old at that time. I have wondered this past year if this is why I have yet to experience aiptasia in my tank... or if it's because I've been picky about where I purchase my corals and fish.

Earlier this month, I had a brand new macromussa "die" over night. One day, it was fine, the next morning, nothing but skeleton. My water parameters were fine. I started a thread (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-what-caused-new-micromussa-to-die-overnight.679320/) and based on feedback from others, I suspected my peppermint shrimp ate the coral. I caught one of them use the bottle trap and he was banished to my sump. The other one avoided the trap, but I'm going to try catching it again. I have a bunch of fleshy LPS coming soon and don't want to provide it with an expensive treat.

I figure if I can keep my peppermint shrimp alive in my sump, I can quickly catch them and put them back in the DT if any aiptasia does show up.

 

[Glott3133]

I have a pretty basic tank, just some softies & LPS in a 150G, and rarely add new stuff since at this point it's been up for 7+ years (I probably stopped, other than fish/inverts around the 3 year mark.) I caught an aiptasia outbreak like 5 years in, easily a year + since I added anything to the tank. Bought peppermint shrimp when they first started appearing (never saw any on anything I added) and they just couldn't keep up with how quickly it started to spread. Finally managed to get them under control with the addition of a Klein's Butterfly and between him and the shrimp they're now nearly absent in my tank. I can only manage to find one or two of the large ones left, but they stay tucked in the rock as the butterfly still nips away at them. The peppermint shrimp seem to finally have a handle on any new ones.

Another interesting thing, I have approximately 30g fuge in my sump which of course got infested too. I've noticed that they also have severely declined as well, though they are still there, with nothing (invert, fish, etc) ever being added to it. I've thought about trying to remove the ones in the fuge manually but at this point I'm just letting it play out as I fear disturbing them in that way will just cause them to spread once again.

Can't imagine how difficult it would be to tackle in a packed SPS tank once an outbreak started, or even as how to mitigate the potential introduction to them with, relatively speaking, adding a lot more stuff to in that type of tank. They definitely are a pain once the invasion starts, and honestly I feel lucky the klein's butterfly worked as well as he does and doesn't bother any of the relatively "cheap" corals I have.

This was a very interesting read, because I am completely new to reefing, and actually thought those things were a good thing in my tank. Now after reading everyone's posts, I'm worried that in order to eradicate these aptasia, I will need to get peppermint shrimp; something my Blue Throat Trigger may eat. Or a butterfly, that may eat some of my corals (LPS, and/or softs). I guess, I will look at my options and determine the best way through this in my tank.

Thanks for the great info.

 

[ScottR]

Sorry to hear that your shrimp ate your acans. So I added 2 peppermint shrimp to my tank last February, tank was only about 1 month old at that time. I have wondered this past year if this is why I have yet to experience aiptasia in my tank... or if it's because I've been picky about where I purchase my corals and fish.

Earlier this month, I had a brand new macromussa "die" over night. One day, it was fine, the next morning, nothing but skeleton. My water parameters were fine. I started a thread (https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/help-what-caused-new-micromussa-to-die-overnight.679320/) and based on feedback from others, I suspected my peppermint shrimp ate the coral. I caught one of them use the bottle trap and he was banished to my sump. The other one avoided the trap, but I'm going to try catching it again. I have a bunch of fleshy LPS coming soon and don't want to provide it with an expensive treat.

I figure if I can keep my peppermint shrimp alive in my sump, I can quickly catch them and put them back in the DT if any aiptasia does show up.

I’m from Hawaii. I know very well what pau hana means. And for you sir, your work is not done. Catch that other shrimp and you can say “pau hana”

 

[piranhaman00]

I will never put peppermint shrimp in any tank again, ate through acans like candy.

 

[Mical]

Awesome observation - if you have an -> https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/3555/?pcatid=3555 you won't have any problems. But if you're looking at a torch or something similar - it might be a problem. Filefish will nip at flowing corals like torches.

Filefish are shy, eat at night and in my experience take up to 2 weeks to start mowing down aiptasia. Aiptasia are a form of anemone, when irritated IE: Aiptasia X, kalk, lemon juice, Mojano Wand or Laser - they split - like an anemone except by the dozens.

I never had any luck w/peppermint shrimp - but then again there are so many that look like a peppermint shrimp that even LFS don't know what they're selling. My solution were ORA raised filefish. In two weeks they devoured the aiptasia over-run I had and are model citizens to this day.

I might start an aiptasia grow out tank just to give them a treat occasionally.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

I’m from Hawaii. I know very well what pau hana means. And for you sir, your work is not done. Catch that other shrimp and you can say “pau hana”

Wife and I went to Hawaii for our honeymoon 6 years ago. We still frequently entertain the idea of moving there. And our little 3 year old is our hapa.

And yeah... a reef tank is anything but "pau hana." I'm going to set up that bottle trap tonight or tomorrow to hopefully catch the other guy this time around.

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

This was a very interesting read, because I am completely new to reefing, and actually thought those things were a good thing in my tank. Now after reading everyone's posts, I'm worried that in order to eradicate these aptasia, I will need to get peppermint shrimp; something my Blue Throat Trigger may eat. Or a butterfly, that may eat some of my corals (LPS, and/or softs). I guess, I will look at my options and determine the best way through this in my tank.

Thanks for the great info.

Glad this thread helped you too. I definitely learned a lot. My reef tank is just over a year old, so I'm still a newb too. I'm interested in berghia nudibranch mentioned by others if I ever do get an aiptasia breakout.

Do you have a lot of aiptasia in your tank?

 

[Pau Hana Reefer]

Awesome observation - if you have an -> https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/3555/?pcatid=3555 you won't have any problems. But if you're looking at a torch or something similar - it might be a problem. Filefish will nip at flowing corals like torches.

Filefish are shy, eat at night and in my experience take up to 2 weeks to start mowing down aiptasia. Aiptasia are a form of anemone, when irritated IE: Aiptasia X, kalk, lemon juice, Mojano Wand or Laser - they split - like an anemone except by the dozens.

I never had any luck w/peppermint shrimp - but then again there are so many that look like a peppermint shrimp that even LFS don't know what they're selling. My solution were ORA raised filefish. In two weeks they devoured the aiptasia over-run I had and are model citizens to this day.

I might start an aiptasia grow out tank just to give them a treat occasionally.

Thanks for the info about that fish! Unfortunately, I don't think this will be an option if I ever get aiptasia since I currently have an aussie torch and a grape coral, and I have another torch coral on the way.

I came across this post which was really helpful in helping me understand the different types of peppermint shrimp and imposters. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/do-peppermint-shrimps-really-eat-aiptasia.605709/post-6113669

 

[Kyuss414]

This was a very interesting read, because I am completely new to reefing, and actually thought those things were a good thing in my tank. Now after reading everyone's posts, I'm worried that in order to eradicate these aptasia, I will need to get peppermint shrimp; something my Blue Throat Trigger may eat. Or a butterfly, that may eat some of my corals (LPS, and/or softs). I guess, I will look at my options and determine the best way through this in my tank.

Thanks for the great info.

Don't feel bad about thinking aiptasia were a good thing. Back in the 80's LFSs would actually sell them as they are just a type of anemone, and an easy one to keep especially for the times then. Any anemone can sting the heck out of other corals just the same. Aiptasias big downfall is their reproductive capabilities and their almost magical ability to spread when doing so - not to mention they aren't the most appealing looking with all the stuff possible to keep these days.

I hear ya on the shrimp with a trigger. Never kept a blue-throat, but have kept quite a few other triggers over the years when I had fowlr tanks and they sure love to snack lol. Awesome fish to have though.

And just to toss in my experience thus far with the Klein's - only butterfly I've ever kept - as mentioned he's been great in regards to not eating anything else. I'll see him nip near the zoas occasionally, but I never notice any damage so I think he's grabbing food that fell there or nipping at the aiptasia that were nesting among them since those have disappeared too. I feel like I should have him on payroll for the work he's done. Of course every fish is different so just throwing my experience out there.

 

[Glott3133]

Glad this thread helped you too. I definitely learned a lot. My reef tank is just over a year old, so I'm still a newb too. I'm interested in berghia nudibranch mentioned by others if I ever do get an aiptasia breakout.

Do you have a lot of aiptasia in your tank?

I've noticed at least 4 or 5 that are pretty descent in size. I think the copperband will be my best hope in keeping them under control. With my tank only being 3 months old, I'm trying to be cautious with what is being added. I think I started out too fast, now feel like I need to settle back and let my tank go through all of its cycles (i.e. diatoms, hair algae, etc.). Although, my water quality has been perfect for about a month now,.

 

[PEP12]

I had them all over my reef until I got a copper band and also a UV sterilizer now I have none in my display tank only some in my sump and this is over several months, I don't know what exactly eradicated them from the display the sterilizer could have zapped the spores but hay hoe alls well

 

[AltitudeAquarium]

I have a pretty huge coral farm, i have failed a million times. if you dont quarantine EVERYTHING before going into your display you will fail in due time. its the unfortunate truth of this dang hobby but once you get past that, its beautiful.

If theres aptasia on it, you can buy it but do not brush it off never ever brush off aptasia thatll spread it like wild fire. if theres aptasia cut off w/e piece its on and set it in quarantine for a few months.

The right way to buy corals for long term success is to remove frag plugs completely and clean corals then glue them on new frags set them in a quarantine for 2 months and then in your tank.

Is there a referenced method to treat, dip and quarantine coral plugs. I have not run across a proposed method(s) for aipstasia.

 

[reefluvrr]

I had no.luck with peppermint shrimp, filefish ate my pecans, Berghias never lived long enough to clear my aptasia before they go missing in my tank...

I am.only keeping my Aptasia in check with Frank's F-aptasia Killer.

 

[robbyg]

I had no.luck with peppermint shrimp, filefish ate my pecans, Berghias never lived long enough to clear my aptasia before they go missing in my tank...

I am.only keeping my Aptasia in check with Frank's F-aptasia Killer.

Yikes
That does not look like you have them in check.

 

[Wee Mad Arthur]

I’ve recently added 2 guaranteed peppermints but so far I haven’t seen them do much. I have seen them go after some in the sand but the aips retracted and they gave up then I saw them eating some remains that I’d got with Aiptasia-X so they are trying at least. I’m trying to accept the aips as just part of the reef. They don’t bother my leathers but they do the Zoas so unless the peppermints get a move on I’ll have to carry on with the Aiptasia-X as well.

 

[Glott3133]

These look whitish, the ones in my tank look more brown. Being a noob, is it the same thing?