My first tank

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Did u get another Kole tang or is that an old picture? And that looks like aptasia to me which is a bad. Kill it before it spreads or attacks. There is several ways of doing it can even do it with a laser if u want Google aptasia and see which way will work best for u.

I'm not that familiar with Aiptasia. Would you mind briefing me on it's function or possibly it's pathology?

- C. Smith

 

[DeniseAndy]

Aiptasia is a pest anemone. They are considered pests because they can multiply very fast, sting your wanted corals, are ugly (opion of course) and take over the system. They can serve the function of cleaning the water of particulates, but they are considered unwanted in the display.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Aiptasia is a pest anemone. They are considered pests because they can multiply very fast, sting your wanted corals, are ugly (opion of course) and take over the system. They can serve the function of cleaning the water of particulates, but they are considered unwanted in the display.

Wow! Thank you so much @DeniseAndy for explaining. So if Aiptasia cleans water and (presumably) shelters Clownfish, would Aiptasia be considered a pest in a tank without corals? Cleaning water and giving a nice home to my favorites clowns seems very useful.

- C. Smith

 

[DeniseAndy]

They will not host clowns! These guys may sting fish, but they certainly sting corals. We generally think of them as weeds in a garden. They provide some benefits such as o2, soil erosion stopping, filling in bare areas. However, if they cover your whole yard, it would be ugly and undesirable and could effect allergies. That is aiptasia. I have them in my overflows (mainly because once you get them, it is hard to rid of them without the proper fish and I gave mine away for eating corals). I kill them when the get out of hand in my display. In the sump, I do not have many. Not sure why.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

They will not host clowns! These guys may sting fish, but they certainly sting corals. We generally think of them as weeds in a garden. They provide some benefits such as o2, soil erosion stopping, filling in bare areas. However, if they cover your whole yard, it would be ugly and undesirable and could effect allergies. That is aiptasia. I have them in my overflows (mainly because once you get them, it is hard to rid of them without the proper fish and I gave mine away for eating corals). I kill them when the get out of hand in my display. In the sump, I do not have many. Not sure why.

Once again, thank you so much for informing me @DeniseAndy. I had no understanding on the symbiosis of Clownfish and Aiptasia; because as you explained, there is none! Haha. I genuinely appreciate anybody willing to supply me with knowledge. I will consider Aiptasia a pest and threat to most.
Thanks friend

- C. Smith