Aiptasia is probably a Mother F

[msparklym13]

OK Reefers,

I thought I had a really cool hitchhiker coral a few months ago. I didn't know what it was and was excited. After placing it I found out it was an Aiptasia. I tried pulling it out with no luck. I tried moving it - again no luck. It is now flourishing and I see two other rocks beginning a tiny bloom.

What do I do? I can't get to it because when it closes up it is impossible to locate.

How do I get these #$%!@ out of my tank without killing my corals?

 

P.S. I stole this pic from Google but it is what mine looks like

[ReefWeeds]

 

Try AiptasiaX or Joes Juice. Yeah they can multiply quickly. I had a major infestation at the end of last year and ended up getting a shipment of berghia nudibranch to take care of it. But you need a serious infestation for Bergiahs to work so I'd try the aiptaisa X.

[Mr. Arbuckle]

I got a peppermint shrimp and that little guy had all of my aiptasia cleared out within a couple of weeks and I never saw any ever again. It was pretty awesome, but be sure to keep it fed or it might go after some of your corals...in the two years I had it I never had an issue though.

[msparklym13]

 

Try AiptasiaX or Joes Juice. Yeah they can multiply quickly. I had a major infestation at the end of last year and ended up getting a shipment of berghia nudibranch to take care of it. But you need a serious infestation for Bergiahs to work so I'd try the aiptaisa X.

Thank you so much! Do you spot hit it? Guessing I can find out by product instructions ;-)

I got a peppermint shrimp and that little guy had all of my aiptasia cleared out within a couple of weeks and I never saw any ever again. It was pretty awesome, but be sure to keep it fed or it might go after some of your corals...in the two years I had it I never had an issue though.

Oh wow that is awesome!! I worry because my Cleaner shrimp is dominant in my tank. He is truly the mayor in charge. Do you have a cleaner shrimp also?

[cruiZe]

Yes kill it fast. You'll have 240 of them in 8 months (I did). Super glue gel over the cave they retract into works too. Boiling water may or may not work. Aiptasia X works . Peppermints are hit or miss also in my experience

[nancymatthews]

Peppermint shrimp are a hit or miss. They are cute though. I've had both peppermint and cleaner in my tank together with no issues. But my cleaner shrimp was not dominant. I have an aiptasia in my tank now, I'm gonna kill it with Aiptasia X sometime this week when I'm in the mood. If you use Aiptasia X make sure you read the instructions. You have to squirt that stuff in their mouths and they have to eat it, otherwise they don't die. So it you have tiny ones, that will be tricky. Also be careful of other corals ingesting it. Someone recently posted on the site about their goniopora coral getting damaged from it. Last week I shot one up that was in between a colony of my ZOA's. I touched the ZOA's with my hand to close them so I didn't accidentally hit them with Aiptasia X. I notice when I shoot them with the small needle that I am shakey, nervous that I might miss. I hate those little S.O.B.'s. Good luck with that.

[msparklym13]

Peppermint shrimp are a hit or miss. They are cute though. I've had both peppermint and cleaner in my tank together with no issues. But my cleaner shrimp was not dominant. I have an aiptasia in my tank now, I'm gonna kill it with Aiptasia X sometime this week when I'm in the mood. If you use Aiptasia X make sure you read the instructions. You have to squirt that stuff in their mouths and they have to eat it, otherwise they don't die. So it you have tiny ones, that will be tricky. Also be careful of other corals ingesting it. Someone recently posted on the site about their goniopora coral getting damaged from it. Last week I shot one up that was in between a colony of my ZOA's. I touched the ZOA's with my hand to close them so I didn't accidentally hit them with Aiptasia X. I notice when I shoot them with the small needle that I am shakey, nervous that I might miss. I hate those little S.O.B.'s. Good luck with that.

This is great info- UGH my hands are always shaky- especially when I am in the tank so this should be interesting... If I wanted to give everyone a laugh I would film it! HA!

[Astinus]

I have Aiptasias...Hate the B@stards. I am using Aiptasia-X with success.

I still have them, but I have done some serious damage to them. Some do pop up.

I even had 2 of them in the back chamber of our AIO, growing on the Filter Media. ZAPPED! Those quick!

[Clown79]

I would hesitate getting peppermints, its not guaranteed to eat them and if they do, its only tiny ones.

 

I have yet to own a peppermint that does eat aiptasia but they certainly enjoyed eating 3 brains.

 

Aiptasia X works the best

[Jwells]

Do six line wrasse actually take care of aiptasia?

[ajmckay]

I've used lemon juice injected into the aiptasia using a hypodermic syringe. Works pretty good and as long as you know the hole it's going in you can stab and inject anyways. Also doesn't harm the tank or other corals. A 5mL syringe can be bought at the pharmacy for about $0.5 or less.

 

Pepp shrimp is a gamble at best

 

Aiptasia X & joe's juice are tried and true methods, but you have to buy them

 

using superglue gel or a small pebble of underwater cure epoxy to seal off their hole is a good method as well, but won't work if the anemone is in a hole with multiple exits (as is the case with many LR) then you have to seal off all the holes which is a pain.

[msparklym13]

Do six line wrasse actually take care of aiptasia?

I heard something about this as well.

I've used lemon juice injected into the aiptasia using a hypodermic syringe. Works pretty good and as long as you know the hole it's going in you can stab and inject anyways. Also doesn't harm the tank or other corals. A 5mL syringe can be bought at the pharmacy for about $0.5 or less.

 

Pepp shrimp is a gamble at best

 

Aiptasia X & joe's juice are tried and true methods, but you have to buy them

 

using superglue gel or a small pebble of underwater cure epoxy to seal off their hole is a good method as well, but won't work if the anemone is in a hole with multiple exits (as is the case with many LR) then you have to seal off all the holes which is a pain.

You must have some seriously steady hands. I tried to superglue a worm popping out of my Frogspawn and ended up coating the base LOL I odered Aiptasia X - I'm not sure if it comes with a syringe but I do have a long feeding tube. My issue is every time I get close the %%## closes up and I can't find it all! I have 3 right now- the big one on the sand bed and two tiny in between rock. Need to nip it in the bud before it takes over!

[Astinus]

Aiptasia-X does come with syringe and 2 "Needles" 1 straight and the other has a 45 degree angle to it.

[nancymatthews]

Do six line wrasse actually take care of aiptasia?

I have a Six Line Wrasse and he ain't done shit. I know he's seen them in the tank because he swims past them everyday.

[BJV]

I have a Six Line Wrasse and he ain't done shit. I know he's seen them in the tank because he swims past them everyday.

I have a matted filefish and it is getting rid of my aiptasia problem. As for the six line wrasse, mine won't touch the aiptasia.

Barry

[msparklym13]

I have a matted filefish and it is getting rid of my aiptasia problem. As for the six line wrasse, mine won't touch the aiptasia.

Barry

Funny you said that- My LFS is closed and moving to a new location so I have been going to the "fancy place". When I say fancy I am not joking. It is awe inspireing. Leather recliners. Stunning aquariums worthy of admission prices. They only open their doors for 3 hours a day because they are working on custom aquariums. Custom as in $10,000 as their min. The store is so amazing I feel like I should dress up just to be there. I needed saltwater which cost $10 for a 5G. My LFS is $5. Which brings me to my point. I inquired about Aiptasia and this guy moved me over to a tiny tank where a matted filefish was- He proudly stated

" We have been starving him so he will eat Aiptasia" ummmmmm... I guess ok but thought it was weird. I would rather pick up the above remedies than starve a fish to eat something... After all I am just a dumb newbie and only a year in but my heart thought starving a fish to like something wasn't my preference. Pics of this amazing place attached

[nancymatthews]

That looks like a fancy club where people drink little glasses of alcohol and have their pinky out. $10 for 5g is insane. I would rather make my own saltwater for that price.

I found another aiptasia this morning. It was one I tried to shoot up. I did a bad job because its back. Now I have two to kill today. I hope I have steady hands. I'll do some yoga beforehand.

[Alex C.]

For me it was completely easy, I got two Berghia stephanieae and in about three weeks all the Aiptasia was gone. Reef safe and they don't eat anything else. Also very small so they can eat them from every corner/hole.

[Astinus]

I Looked into Berghias...U would need a small colony and they can be expensive

[msparklym13]

That looks like a fancy club where people drink little glasses of alcohol and have their pinky out. $10 for 5g is insane. I would rather make my own saltwater for that price.

I found another aiptasia this morning. It was one I tried to shoot up. I did a bad job because its back. Now I have two to kill today. I hope I have steady hands. I'll do some yoga beforehand.

Today is the day! I sure hope I get all three!! eeck!!

[msparklym13]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Holy Moly I used Joe's Juice and the mother F$5#'s are gone! OMG I am so excited!!It was easier than I thought because the Aiptasia didn't close up and readily took the "food". They shriveled up within moments. The targeted adapter was so helpful and I went to the coolest fish store today. I met them at MACNA and it blew my mind how informed they were.

You guys are the best! Thank you so much- I will post updates if anything changes.

[Alex C.]

I Looked into Berghias...U would need a small colony and they can be expensive

 

You need about 1/10g. They can be expensive, sure, depends where you buy them from.

[nancymatthews]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Holy Moly I used Joe's Juice and the mother F$5#'s are gone! OMG I am so excited!!It was easier than I thought because the Aiptasia didn't close up and readily took the "food". They shriveled up within moments. The targeted adapter was so helpful and I went to the coolest fish store today. I met them at MACNA and it blew my mind how informed they were.

You guys are the best! Thank you so much- I will post updates if anything changes.

That's good. Hopefully they don't come back. Just take a glance at those spots every time you look at the tank in case they do come back.

I ended up shooting up 3 yesterday. They were the same 3 I shot up in July. I didn't do a good job apparently because they were back. So annoying. I saw on YouTube some dudes tank that was full of huge aiptasia. But he liked them and kept them in there on purpose. Yuck! To me they are like a tick or a mosquito.

[msparklym13]

That's good. Hopefully they don't come back. Just take a glance at those spots every time you look at the tank in case they do come back.

I ended up shooting up 3 yesterday. They were the same 3 I shot up in July. I didn't do a good job apparently because they were back. So annoying. I saw on YouTube some dudes tank that was full of huge aiptasia. But he liked them and kept them in there on purpose. Yuck! To me they are like a tick or a mosquito.

I just got back from a 3 day trip to Disneyland with kiddos-- Whew I am exhausted- Hubby and I clocked and we did 23 miles in 2.5 days LOL As soon as i got home I checked my tank and sure enough, tiny Aiptasia close to a rock that had one last week. I will zap it in the morning. Really weird someone would like them since what I have read they cause a lot of problems!

[nancymatthews]

Fun...Disney. Some day I'll take my kids. They are to young. Wow..23 miles in 2 days. That's good. Burn those calories while eating a giant turkey leg. Lol.

Good luck with that aiptasia.