Aptasia

[Sumfingwong]

I think I have Aptasia in my tank, I wanted to ask if Aptasia can retract into a something its attached to.

I have an Aquamedic turboflotor, and I noticed an aptasia looking "thing" attached to where the intake is. During a water change, I used a piece of paper towel, and tried to pick at it and clean off the area of the protein skimmer. A couple days later..it was back! So I used something and poked at it, and it slowly retracted into the intake area.

I will try and snap a picture of it tonight and post it. I just didnt know if Aptasia can do that (I'm still kinda new to the hobby)

Thanks all

[FishyFishy!]

Yes, it can certainly tuck back into anything that it is on. If you haven't got 100% of it off the surface of whatever it's clinging onto, it will most likely grow back. It's tricky stuff.

[Sumfingwong]

I know I will jinx myself.

But so far I only see it on the protein skimmer. This weekend, I need to overhaul my system anyways, I'll clean the skimmer and the eheim cannister.

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

it sound like an aptasia try removing it without chopping it down to pieces.
get at it from the base.
there are quit a few other methods out there for eradicating the pest.

[xnmuller]

I hear tell that if you try to remove Aptasia while it is still in the tank that all the little bits that break off into the water column become new sprouts once they settle down. And I'm sure thats the last thing you're looking for. Like I said I only heard this maybe someone can confirm.

[Sumfingwong]

Thanks for the tips guys/gals. I will remove the protein skimmer to give it a good cleaning, i'll take off the intake case and try to get it at its base. Is there any harm in touching it with my fingers? I'll wear plastic gloves.

[Sumfingwong]

I hear tell that if you try to remove Aptasia while it is still in the tank that all the little bits that break off into the water column become new sprouts once they settle down. And I'm sure thats the last thing you're looking for. Like I said I only heard this maybe someone can confirm.


Looks like you were right

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/pic/article.cfm?c=3578&articleid=2734

How does one get a hypodermic needle in Calgary without them thinking you are some junkie? lol

[globaldesigns]

You really don't need to remove anything.

Personally I would go to your drug store and buy a syringe for 25 cents, and get some KALK powder from you LFS

Mix a bit of the kalk with some water and use the syringe to suck it into it. Turn off your flow, so the water is calm and then stick the aptasia with the syringe and inject a bit of KALK paste, remove and then put a bit of it ontop of it as well. Leave all pumps off to keep water calm and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

Usually one dose works and kills it. If you have more, then repeat the process.

[The Grizz]

Along with everything else growing well in my tank lately so is the aptasia, a little to well. I could spend days trying to kill it all off. I would love to have a CBB or some nudis that would munch it all away. The peppermint shrimp I bought are no more and will no be replacing them.

[Binare]

Good old fashioned boiling water in a syringe will kill em

[Vitaminz]

My File fish, has taken care of my Aiptasia, plus he is an awesome fish.

Jeff

[Coleus]

i have some kalk that you can have for free, good enough to kill lots of apitasia if you want

[Wayne]

Concentrated lemon juice with a syringe paired with some peppermint shrimp cured my problem in just a few weeks.

If you feel ackward about buying a needle, just get into your grungy work clothes and head to the getto drug store. I am sure they would gladly hook you up :lol:

[jonnyjamms]

I hear you say, if you try to delete Aptasia Although still in the tanks, all the little bits break off into the water column once they become settled in the new sprouts. I'm sure this is the last thing you're looking for. Like I said I only heard maybe someone can confirm.

[Coleus]

I hear you say, if you try to delete Aptasia Although still in the tanks, all the little bits break off into the water column once they become settled in the new sprouts. I'm sure this is the last thing you're looking for. Like I said I only heard maybe someone can confirm.

To prevent this, you should turn of your powerhead and return pump so there is no water movement when you are doing this. Wait at least for 15 minutes before turning everything back on. Even better, siphon the dead aptasia out

[Parker]

I use vinagar and a syringe to kill it off. I have / had some pretty huge ones ( the size of toonies ) that took a couple of doses to kill.

I had a file fish as well, great little fish but he didn't touch aptasia. Sadly he got taken out by my closed loop intake.

[abcha0s]

No one mentioned Joe's Juice or Aptasia-X? Both of these products work. Maybe it feels wrong to spend $10 for something that you can make for $1, but that shouldn't rule them out. Personally, I'll pay the extra $9 for the convenience factor.

I've found Joe's Juice to be slightly more effective at first round kills, but Aptasia-X is much easier to work with.

Neither of these products will cure your tank, but both are an effective control.

I spent $200 on Berghia and nothing happened. Haven't seen one since they went in the tank. I also tried Pepermint Shrimp. They are now living in my overflow. Every time I move them back to the tank, by the next day I find them in the overflow. I'm pretty sure they like it there.

- Brad

[monocus]

berghia take time to work-took 3-4 months before i started to see an improvement in my 220.i started with 8 and after 6 months i had almost no aptasia with the bonus of selling 40-50 berghia to my lfs every month.berghia will also go after the small young aptasia first then move onto the adult.the main aptasia killer is the baby berghia-where they swarm one aptasia at a time.if you see a white swirll pattern on the side of your glass that is the eggs of the berghia.you have to have patience with berghia

[lastlight]

I've only ever seen 3 in my tank since I set it up and I take no chances. Small wad of epoxy with some crazy glue on one side just for fun. I slap that right over the demon spawn. This is garanteed and for the very rare case it's worth the effort because there's no chance for spread.

[Keats]

I think I have Aptasia in my tank, I wanted to ask if Aptasia can retract into a something its attached to.

I have an Aquamedic turboflotor, and I noticed an aptasia looking "thing" attached to where the intake is. During a water change, I used a piece of paper towel, and tried to pick at it and clean off the area of the protein skimmer. A couple days later..it was back! So I used something and poked at it, and it slowly retracted into the intake area.

I will try and snap a picture of it tonight and post it. I just didnt know if Aptasia can do that (I'm still kinda new to the hobby)

Thanks all
Hey. I've had aptasia in my live rock & it's super easy to get rid of, IF you can easily remove the rock or whatever it's on. Take it out, squirt a drop of lemon juice on it and stick it back in! I've been told that you can squirt a drop right into it's mouth when it's in the tank, but I haven't chanced that as of yet...

[Cranky When Wet]

OK everyone, I'm too chicken to add any "chemicals" or biocides/solutions to my Nanos because it's soh easy to wipe out whole, tiny bio systems....

I've had 100% aipatasia kills with the use of the right kind of Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni). Peppermint shrimp of this type can be found at Big Al's (hint: I ask Ryan to test them before purchase) and they slaughter these anemones like maniacs.... However, once they get too large (aiptasia) it's a bit much for the shrimp.

I'd like to share this link with all the new salters onboard because it's the best resource tool I've ever found with participants/writers/authors like Anthony Calfo and Bob Fenner!

It's got everything you ever want to know of a saltwater nature!!!! READ, and read some more....
Aiptasia, My Least Favorite Anemones in Captive Systems
/The Conscientious Reef Aquarist Bob Fenner

Link:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm

I know this article will answer many, many questions about methods of destroying these little creeps.

Best regards, Bunny

[Coleus]

Another interesting way to kill aptasia

http://www.reefscapes.net/articles/breefcase/aiptasia_control.html

[The Grizz]

I just received my Apitasia Zapper this week and I must say I love this thing, also have a Matted File fish that seems to have taken care of slot of the ones I can see put not reach.