Potential Aiptasia. Photo included!

Alexwlwsn · May 9, 2022

Just noticed this tiny little hairy item growing on my torch coral. Here it is under white lights -

Do we think it's the dreaded Aiptasia?

If so, think I should try and pick up a peppermint shrimp today before it starts to spread?

I also do know there are a lot of spirorbid worms on the torch's skeleton so I've been moving away from flake foods and starting to feed a little less.

Bucs20fan · May 9, 2022

100% aiptasia. I wouldnt buy a peppermint for one aiptasia. Buy some Aiptasia X or similar product and treat yourself would be my advice.

Lavey29 · May 9, 2022

Or remove the torch from the tank and clean it off.

Alexwlwsn · May 9, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
100% aiptasia. I wouldnt buy a peppermint for one aiptasia. Buy some Aiptasia X or similar product and treat yourself would be my advice.

Great advice! Just put in an order for Aiptasia X from Amazon. To kill it and any others if they crop up. I've had the torch for a while so I'm assuming that's not the only little bugger hiding.

Lavey29 said:
Or remove the torch from the tank and clean it off.

Think reef dip it would remove it?

Bucs20fan · May 9, 2022

Reef dip has no affect on aiptasia nems.

I had hundreds in my tank and got all I could see with aiptasia X. I now have a copperband butterfly that handles all that for me LOL.

Joe31415 · May 9, 2022

You could just stick another wad of epoxy over it

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · May 9, 2022

FYI, the coral in the photo is not a torch...

Dburr1014 · May 9, 2022

Alexwlwsn said:
Great advice! Just put in an order for Aiptasia X from Amazon. To kill it and any others if they crop up. I've had the torch for a while so I'm assuming that's not the only little bugger hiding.

Think reef dip it would remove it?

If you use aptasia X do it out of the water or it will spread.

Bucs20fan · May 9, 2022

If aiptasia X is applied properly spreading is highly unlikely, not saying it cant happen, but I treated all of mine in water. It would be nearly impossible to remove rockwork to treat out of water.

EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal · May 9, 2022

"If you use aptasia X do it out of the water or it will spread."

This is NOT true!

Bucs20fan · May 9, 2022

Aiptasia spreads by using its cells to replicate after damage or natural reproduction. We all fear the damaging aspect of it. When they spread, they go to every nook and cranny including the depths of rockwork, making it almost necessary to treat in water. Turn pumps off to treat properly. Works every time.

Alexwlwsn · May 9, 2022

Erin1971Texas said:
FYI, the coral in the photo is not a torch...

sorry, trumpet. I have a torch on the other side and got the two mixed up.

Alexwlwsn · May 9, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
Reef dip has no affect on aiptasia nems.

I had hundreds in my tank and got all I could see with aiptasia X. I now have a copperband butterfly that handles all that for me LOL.

If I start to see more show up - like a dozen or so, do we think it'll be time to look into the peppermint shrimp/another fish to eat them? I only have a 24g cube so my options are somewhat limited.

Joe31415 · May 9, 2022

Alexwlwsn said:
If I start to see more show up - like a dozen or so, do we think it'll be time to look into the peppermint shrimp/another fish to eat them? I only have a 24g cube so my options are somewhat limited.

If you want one, get one. I have one in a 20g tank invert only (and currently mostly empty) QT.
They're pretty small and don't take up a whole lot of space.

Dburr1014 · May 9, 2022

Bucs20fan said:
If aiptasia X is applied properly spreading is highly unlikely, not saying it cant happen, but I treated all of mine in water. It would be nearly impossible to remove rockwork to treat out of water.

Pop that frag right off and use it over the sink and super glue it back down.

Erin1971Texas said:
"If you use aptasia X do it out of the water or it will spread."

This is NOT true!

Sorry, I disagree.

Alexwlwsn · May 9, 2022

Dburr1014 said:
Pop that frag right off and use it over the sink and super glue it back down.
Sorry, I disagree.

wait, you disagree with @Erin1971Texas disagreeing? Or you disagree that it will spread?

Bucs20fan · May 9, 2022

You can purchase a peppermint if you so wish of course. I am a hard NO on peppermints. They arent guaranteed to eat aiptasia by any means and they will munch on just about anything including other nems you do want, softies, snails and such.

Dburr1014 · May 9, 2022

Alexwlwsn said:
wait, you disagree with @Erin1971Texas disagreeing? Or you disagree that it will spread?

Lol, I have seen aptaisia spread with great coverage and pumps off while doing it.
The best way, imo, is taking it out of the system, treating it, rinse in bucket in tank water, and replacing back in tank.

I disagree with Erin1971texas who said what I said was I lie.

Research on here people that have used it and what they thought and come up with your own conclusions.

Bucs20fan · May 9, 2022

I see what youre saying, and that is a good solution for sure, but in alot instances this process is impractical. Yes it could work for this particular situation. But even if I had this exact situation I would treat in the tank versus removing the frag from the water and cutting it off and gluing again. Seems like alot of work when, if treated properly which is not difficult by any means, yields the same result without the risk to damaging the coral and moving rockwork IMO.

trietnguyen000 · May 9, 2022

I had one tiny one on my zoa frag too. I tried pulling it off with a tweezer without success. I then used a syringe and spray it with a tiny amount of lemon juice. It disappeared for like a week then there it was again slightly shifted to a different spot on the frag. I just spray it with some lemon juice again. I’ll keep you updated.