aiptasia anemone attached to coral plug

[satansfishtank]

So I noticed these demonic anemones attached to a plug of my zoas and another attached underneath one of my yumas. Ive read multiple ways of destroying this creature but none of those methods were with coral attached. So suggestions please?

[Mariaface]

None of them? The description for Aiptasia-X states that at most, it'll irritate some corals if the product comes into contact with them. And that it's otherwise reef safe. Try that out, maybe?

[aviator300]

Burn them to the ground. I had the same issue and I removed the frag plug from the tank and put a lighter flame just under the Aptasia attachment point for a sec or 2.

It didn't seem to bother the nearby polyps on the same plug as long as i kept the flame away from them.

[Lawnman]

So I noticed these demonic anemones attached to a plug of my zoas and another attached underneath one of my yumas. Ive read multiple ways of destroying this creature but none of those methods were with coral attached. So suggestions please?

Pull the plug out and scrape it off with a knife or razor.

[satansfishtank]

I am going to try X first, then hell fire.

 

I read if you mess with them and or puncture them they freak and spawn like mad

[TigerLily]

I understand that the aiptasia is attached to the plug, but why are you? I would 86 the plug. Frag the corals onto a pretty piece of rock and toss the ugly plug with it's ugly hitchhiker.

[Islandoftiki]

I'm going to back everyone up regarding the fire suggestion. It might seem extreme, but IMO, it's the most effective way. If you look at my signature, you'll see I had a 2 gallon pest coral tank which included many aiptasia, so I have experience with these things.

 

If you don't kill 100% of it in the first go, you will get Pedal Laceration. Look that up on Google. What was once a single happy aiptasia will become a dozen little aiptasia all over your tank and they will spread.

 

I used to use a small micro-torch to remove ones I didn't want. You can direct the flame away from the coral you want to save and ensure that the aiptasia is dead dead dead.

 

I'd rather have majanos than aiptasia any day. I tried to kill the lone single aiptasia in my 25 gallon tank with a syringe of lemon juice. It melted away to nothing. "Wonderful", I said! Three weeks later, a silver dollar sized patch around the original aiptasia had at least 20 babies. I pulled the rock, removed the good corals and tossed the rock in the trash.

[satansfishtank]

I understand that the aiptasia is attached to the plug, but why are you? I would 86 the plug. Frag the corals onto a pretty piece of rock and toss the ugly plug with it's ugly hitchhiker.

I am going to remove the frag off the plug just haven't ever done it before so hopefully I dont screw it up slip stab the zoas then have zoa juice blast in my eye and I die.

 

I'm going to back everyone up regarding the fire suggestion. It might seem extreme, but IMO, it's the most effective way. If you look at my signature, you'll see I had a 2 gallon pest coral tank which included many aiptasia, so I have experience with these things.

 

If you don't kill 100% of it in the first go, you will get Pedal Laceration. Look that up on Google. What was once a single happy aiptasia will become a dozen little aiptasia all over your tank and they will spread.

 

I used to use a small micro-torch to remove ones I didn't want. You can direct the flame away from the coral you want to save and ensure that the aiptasia is dead dead dead.

 

I'd rather have majanos than aiptasia any day. I tried to kill the lone single aiptasia in my 25 gallon tank with a syringe of lemon juice. It melted away to nothing. "Wonderful", I said! Three weeks later, a silver dollar sized patch around the original aiptasia had at least 20 babies. I pulled the rock, removed the good corals and tossed the rock in the trash.

 

Yeah I am going to try that with my yuma tomorrow that is attached to rock hopefully I dont f**k up ha thanks for the advice!

[TigerLily]

I am going to remove the frag off the plug just haven't ever done it before so hopefully I dont screw it up slip stab the zoas then have zoa juice blast in my eye and die.

 

I am expressly not liable for any death by zoa caused by following my advice.

 

Seriously though, there is some good advice you can search for here about fragging zoas and YouTube videos are helpful too. Good luck! I just did it for the first time in 10 years not too long ago and both the zoa and I are still alive. If I can do it... Well, you know.

[aviator300]

I am expressly not liable for any death by zoa caused by following my advice. Seriously though, there is some good advice you can search for here about fragging zoas and YouTube videos are helpful too. Good luck! I just did it for the first time in 10 years not too long ago and both the zoa and I are still alive. If I can do it... Well, you know.

I frag em all the time and like the bad boy i am, I dont wear gloves or eye protection (I know better but am lazy).

I just wash my hands good afterwards. I've read all the stories and researched myself and have come to the conclusion that while i agree that Zoa juice can make you sick and in very rare instances kill you, I think the whole point is overplayed.

 

Let the flame throwing begin.

[satansfishtank]

I frag em all the time and like the bad boy i am, I dont wear gloves or eye protection (I know better but am lazy).

I just wash my hands good afterwards. I've read all the stories and researched myself and have come to the conclusion that while i agree that Zoa juice can make you sick and in very rare instances kill you, I think the whole point is overplayed.

 

Let the flame throwing begin.

Youd be proud of me homie I lit everything on fire!

[patback]

I frag em all the time and like the bad boy i am, I dont wear gloves or eye protection (I know better but am lazy).

I just wash my hands good afterwards. I've read all the stories and researched myself and have come to the conclusion that while i agree that Zoa juice can make you sick and in very rare instances kill you, I think the whole point is overplayed.

 

Let the flame throwing begin.

 

Rare for it to occur in the hobby, but paly toxin IS the most lethal naturally occurring poison that we are aware of.

[buck27]

i had a plague of aptasia one time in my 215 and I added about 200 peppermint shrimp which solved the problem as well as my acan problem after that I went to a mini torch and burned the little suckers where I could get to them.

[printerdown01]

Hey man, it doesn't look like it is attached to your coral at all! It looks like it is a decent distance away. I'm with the above recommendation of simply burning it. I have killed several over the years with a cigar lighter. Because of the accuracy of the flame I feel a lot more comfortable getting it closer to a coral or even just the rock than a traditional lighter. Take care of it now, before it has the slightest chance of spreading. They are also great for killing hydroids.

 

Given its current location and ease of removing the plug from the tank for 30 seconds this is by far your best method -from everything I have tried in the past. Just make sure you *really* cook the thing!! You do not want to put any live cells back in your tank!!

[oahu]

If you do decide to take it out of the tank, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection. Don't want to risk a chance of palytoxin if you touch the zoas on the plug.

If not, you can take a syringe with scalding RO/DI water and squirt it onto the aiptasia and suck it out with a turkey baster.