I think maybe it's Aiptasia!...Thoughts?

YurgiReef · Feb 15, 2021

This little guy I noticed about 4 weeks ago on the LR in my sump refugium.
It's about tripled in size since I first saw it (now about the size of a penny when tentacles spread out), and two days ago I noticed his little buddy living about 1cm away.

Is this the dreaded Aiptasia? Should I be taking steps to eradicate this from the system as soon as possible?
I have feeling that the answer is "Yes," but was hoping some fellow R2R members could confirm.

** Problem area is located on LR at the bottom front right corner of the larger front view (image #3) **

JosephM · Feb 15, 2021

Looks like aiptasia to me! And yes you’ll wanna kill it ASAP

ThemytB · Feb 15, 2021

Looks like aptasia in high flow being forced against the rock? Mine have all been much more erect, if that makes sense. Other than that looks like aptasia, if not its most definitely a pest of some sort and usual aptasia murdering methods should work.

YurgiReef · Feb 15, 2021

@JosephM, @ThemytB -> Okay thanks guys!

Obviously not what I was hoping you would say but what my gut was telling me. Box of F-Aiptasia being pulled out of the cabinet tonight.
Now to view some of the threads on killing these guys in more detail.

UkiahTheTurtle · Feb 15, 2021

Yep definitely aiptasia and try peppermint shrimp

Tamberav · Feb 15, 2021

If it is gulf live rock then it's not exactly aiptasia but it is a relative that doesn't spread quite as fast but most would still consider it a pest.

YurgiReef · Feb 15, 2021

@Tamberav
Yes - it is gulf LR. I'm thankful and not thankful at the same time that I chose to put the LR into the system. Quarantined and cycled separately, but it's something that I have just seemed to battle since purchasing. Lessons learned I guess. A FOWLR system I would do this again no problem though I think.

Tamberav · Feb 15, 2021

YurgiReef said:
@Tamberav
Yes - it is gulf LR. I'm thankful and not thankful at the same time that I chose to put the LR into the system. Quarantined and cycled separately, but it's something that I have just seemed to battle since purchasing. Lessons learned I guess. A FOWLR system I would do this again no problem though I think.

LR is worth it

Takes time to remove the baddies but all worth it in the end. I used LR in my tanks and they are so easy to maintain and can grow anything without much effort.

I would rather have aptasia, bubble algae, and GHA all at once then Dino

pseudorand · Feb 15, 2021

YurgiReef said:
@JosephM, @ThemytB -> Okay thanks guys!

Obviously not what I was hoping you would say but what my gut was telling me. Box of F-Aiptasia being pulled out of the cabinet tonight.
Now to view some of the threads on killing these guys in more detail.

Faptasia has worked for me. With one or two. If you have a big outbreak, it would be too much of a pain to use I think.

Wolf89 · Feb 15, 2021

YurgiReef said:
@Tamberav
Yes - it is gulf LR. I'm thankful and not thankful at the same time that I chose to put the LR into the system. Quarantined and cycled separately, but it's something that I have just seemed to battle since purchasing. Lessons learned I guess. A FOWLR system I would do this again no problem though I think.

Aiptasia is not native to the atlantic. I thought this looked funny. So its not technially aiptasia, but I would still kill it to be safe. But I believe they aren't so prolific.