Need some advice (Nuisance Coral)

Mike McCown · Jul 23, 2015

I have had my 29 gallon tank now for almost two years and it's looking great and everything is thriving in it but I am having an issue with some nuisance coral, or Aiptasia, and then there are these ugly weed looking polyps that are growing everywhere in the tank and it's driving me nuts. I just got one peppermint shrimp and am going to get a few more for the Aiptasia as I've had that problem before and the one peppermint shrimp I had before took care of it, but the new one isn't taking care of it so that's why I'm going to add another one or two to my tank.
I just have no idea how to get rid of the weed like polyps that are growing everywhere in my tank and it's really starting to bother me. My sister even owns a freshwater/saltwater store and she is unable to figure out what I can do. Attached is cell phone picture that I just took of them so you can see them. Any advice would be so much appreciated.

cginter · Jul 23, 2015

if you can remove the rock, id go that route and take what you dont want off, otherwise maybe putting a rock over it and not let them get any light. as far as aiptasia, i would be careful with the peppermint shrimp as they tend to go after lps (acans in my case) after there is no more aiptasia. at least that was the case for me as i tried to do what you mentioned with the peppermint shrimp. i use aptasia X and it worked.

i once had a problem with these ugly zoas (texas trash) that grew like weeds... there is no way to stop some of these nuisance corals expect to isolate them or remove them imo.

ReeferBob · Jul 23, 2015

Looks like Mojano. Very hard to eradicate. Not Coral btw it is an anemone. You could try a bergia nudibranch, Copperband butterfly, peppermints as well as perhaps aiptasiaX, a mojano wand, lasers, lemon juice, boiling water, etc. Good luck!

WetWhistle · Jul 23, 2015

I use the Red Sea Aiptasia X to get rid of them. Sometimes it takes a few doses. I also use a Copperband butterfly fish with great results. Keep in mind some people do have issues with keeping this fish fat and happy after it has eaten the Aiptasia and they fair better in larger tanks due to bigger grazing area. I don't recommend them in smaller tanks as they are an active fish.

Mike McCown · Jul 23, 2015

cginter said:
if you can remove the rock, id go that route and take what you dont want off, otherwise maybe putting a rock over it and not let them get any light. as far as aiptasia, i would be careful with the peppermint shrimp as they tend to go after lps (acans in my case) after there is no more aiptasia. at least that was the case for me as i tried to do what you mentioned with the peppermint shrimp. i use aptasia X and it worked.

i once had a problem with these ugly zoas (texas trash) that grew like weeds... there is no way to stop some of these nuisance corals expect to isolate them or remove them imo.

Yea all of my Live Rock has other corals that are attached to them already so I'd lose them if I removed the rocks from my tank and I'd rather not do that. It might come to that though but I hope not. Thanks for the heads up on the Peppermint Shrimp and them messing with LPS. I have some and I wouldn't want to lose them to an ugly shrimp.

Mike McCown · Jul 23, 2015

ReeferBob said:
Looks like Mojano. Very hard to eradicate. Not Coral btw it is an anemone. You could try a bergia nudibranch, Copperband butterfly, peppermints as well as perhaps aiptasiaX, a mojano wand, lasers, lemon juice, boiling water, etc. Good luck!

I'll look into the Red Sea Aiptasia X, thank you. How do you use that product? Is it just a dose to the tank or something I do like direct feeding?

Greengny · Jul 23, 2015

Are they green or brown?

If brown, most likely Manjano. As Mr. Bob mentioned, very hard to get rid of. Continue to hit with Aptasia X or Kalk paste. Must be very diligent and consistent in addressing. Also maybe cut back on food for a bit. You can control it but probably not eliminate completely without taking drastic measures of removing rock.

If Green, probably invasive/colonial Zoa's which are next to impossible to get rid of. Buddy had them and had to break down tank and re-start. :-(.

Mike McCown · Jul 23, 2015

ReeferBob said:
Looks like Mojano. Very hard to eradicate. Not Coral btw it is an anemone. You could try a bergia nudibranch, Copperband butterfly, peppermints as well as perhaps aiptasiaX, a mojano wand, lasers, lemon juice, boiling water, etc. Good luck!

I tried boiling water and that had no affect at all, they might as well have been laughing at me. What kind of laser would you suggest? I actually watched a video on Youtube for that the other day but the guy who taped it didn't say what kind of laser it was. It destroyed the Aiptasia in like 30 seconds with a constant blast.

Mufasa31 · Jul 23, 2015

I've used Kalk paste in the past for aiptasia

Mike McCown · Jul 23, 2015

Greengny said:
Are they green or brown?

If brown, most likely Manjano. As Mr. Bob mentioned, very hard to get rid of. Continue to hit with Aptasia X or Kalk paste. Must be very diligent and consistent in addressing. Also maybe cut back on food for a bit. You can control it but probably not eliminate completely without taking drastic measures of removing rock.

If Green, probably invasive/colonial Zoa's which are next to impossible to get rid of. Buddy had them and had to break down tank and re-start. :-(.

They are all green. I never over feed the tank. I feeb basically twice a week for the fish and the corals unless they look like they need more than that but that's hardly ever.

hybridazn · Jul 23, 2015

The best waive found to get rid of them is to put super glue over them. It might be a pain but it'll be worth it in the long run. If your afraid of loaing corals because of removing the rocks, the aptasia will eventually kill them if it gets too bad. Ive found aptasia x to only make things worse as time goes on. It takes a couple doses sometimes and during that time they can release spores spreading them even more.

Mike McCown · Jul 23, 2015

hybridazn said:
The best waive found to get rid of them is to put super glue over them. It might be a pain but it'll be worth it in the long run. If your afraid of loaing corals because of removing the rocks, the aptasia will eventually kill them if it gets too bad. Ive found aptasia x to only make things worse as time goes on. It takes a couple doses sometimes and during that time they can release spores spreading them even more.

I'll try the glue today. I was thinking about trying that as well but wasn't sure.

ReeferBob · Jul 23, 2015

Mike McCown said:
I'll look into the Red Sea Aiptasia X, thank you. How do you use that product? Is it just a dose to the tank or something I do like direct feeding?

I have used it. You stop all water flow and slowly release it over each individual aipasia (using the included syringe). It smothers them. It works well for spot eradication but if you have a large infestation it could become quite tedious.

steve&mari · Jul 23, 2015

I also use apitsia x and have had good results. The shrimp generally leave larger ones alone I've been told and as seen in our tank. Getting peppermint shrimp make sure that's what you're getting. Camel's look very similar and often sold as peppermints but camel's won't eat apitasia. As stated be careful of lps with them make sure they're fed well or they'll be all over lps when feeding em. I blow little food at shrimp before feeding lps to keep them off the corals.