I recently started my tank, and as it is slowly maturing I couldn't help but notice some growth on my live rock that looks a lot like aiptasia. Should I be alarmed? They're relatively small, and if my guess is correct I was wondering if there are any recommendations anyone can give me as to how I can eradicate it before it progressively gets worse. Unfortunately, they're too small for me to capture a photo of them. In the event it is, I was contemplating making a temporary home for my live stock in a spare tank I have while I try to get the situation under control. Somone suggested to put peppermint shrimp in the tank as a first alternative before trying a checimal method. Sorry for the long winded post, I just want to make sure I'm as through as possible. Thanks in advance
Possible Aiptaisia
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Mike N
Valuable Member
If they're small and pretty well spread throughout your tank, I think a peppermint is the way to go. Definitely make sure they are aiptasia before doing anything though. Are you sure they're not little feather dusters?
I am almost positive, but then again I am pretty knew to the reef game and could be wrong. I am going to try and take a picture with a friend's camera and see if that will give me a better image. If so I will be posting it later on today. Thank you for the quick reply Mike N
Mike N
Valuable Member
No problem, ill be on the lookout for an image.
If its a small rock, actually even if it's a big rock, I would just take it out and toss and be done with it since you are just in the beginning stage. No rock is worth it to me to deal with all the headache and stress from aiptsia infested tank.
USCG CWO
Community Member
Looks more like feather dusters but I'm hesitant to make that call based on the pics. Doesn't look like aiptasia. Do they fully retract when you touch them or just the pinnuels? I think that is what they are called. The feather duster part at the top.
If by fully retract you mean the stalk area as well, then no. Only the pinnules retract when they are touched and the stem area stays right where it is. I hope that was helpful. Thank you for the reply.
Todd A.
Community Member
I've had little Aipts pop up that look very similar to what's in the top pic.
Everyone has their own opinion on the best way to "control" them, and mine's peppermint shrimp.
They've never failed me yet, and are a whole lot easier than some of the other methods. It's a cheap and easy fix, and even if they don't eradicate the aiptasia problem, you still have a new CUC member.
Everyone has their own opinion on the best way to "control" them, and mine's peppermint shrimp.
They've never failed me yet, and are a whole lot easier than some of the other methods. It's a cheap and easy fix, and even if they don't eradicate the aiptasia problem, you still have a new CUC member.
In the event it was aiptasia, I planned to go the peppermint shrimp route. My concern however was making sure that the food that I feed the rest of my live stock does not compete with the aiptasia. What are your thoughts?
The first 2 on the photo is not clear, but the single one I'm sure its an aiptaisia. dont use any chemicals advertised to kill aiptaisia it always have some side effects in your tank, you might kill the body of aiptaisia with chemicals but the tentacles or small tessues will survive will be blown away and spread to your tank. Just buy a lot of peppermint shrimp its the best way to remove that aiptaisia without any side effects, it so cool to watch them at night eating that pest in your tank.
Vahanyos
Valuable Member
from my experience they are just filter feeders. think of it like a coral that you do not want to have in your tank lol
get a peppermint shrimp, good addition to your tank anyway
just make sure it's an actual peppermint i think people confuse them for camelback shrimps or something
Todd A.
Community Member
We actually had an Aiptasia in our office DT that we let go for nearly two years. It was well over 1-1/2" tall and probably 3/8"Ø stalk. It never bothered any of the other inhabitants, so we just let it be.
And then one day it multiplied...
11 more in less than a week so we dropped four peppermint shrimp in the tank and all were gone, even the big-mama aipt, within a few days. They are just opportunistic filter feeders and just catch whatever is floating by.
I've heard they can sting and bother fish and coral, but I've never experienced that. But they can certainly multiply quickly given the opportunity.
A shrimp or two and you'll probably never need to worry.
And then one day it multiplied...
11 more in less than a week so we dropped four peppermint shrimp in the tank and all were gone, even the big-mama aipt, within a few days. They are just opportunistic filter feeders and just catch whatever is floating by.
I've heard they can sting and bother fish and coral, but I've never experienced that. But they can certainly multiply quickly given the opportunity.
A shrimp or two and you'll probably never need to worry.
Stolireef
Active Member
If it is aptasia, and there is only one or two small ones, mix up a thick slurry of Kalkwasser and put it in a syringe. Carefully put the needle right at the mouth of the aptasia and squirt a small amount on it. Pretty much kills it on contact but you have to try to get it while it isn't retracted.
Pulling the rock out is also a good idea. I've found peppermints to be hit or miss with them.
Pulling the rock out is also a good idea. I've found peppermints to be hit or miss with them.
