[jbicb3]

Is this one of those Aiptasia anemones, or something else? If something else, what, and is it good or evil?

[Ninong]

It appears to be one of those evil Aiptasia anemones.

[jbicb3]

OK, next question... I've read in the forums that you can inject them with lemon juice to kill them. I think I saw that you do it with a syringe without the needle, but how much should I give each one (I see two on the live rock), and should I move the LR to an isolation tank to do it? Also, how long will it take for them to die off? Do I need to administer more than one dose? Will it be obvious when they die?

The one in the picture is the larger of the two, with a diameter of about 0.5" where the tenicules attach. About 1.5" overall tip to tip.

Also in mt 75gal FOWLR is a 14" Snowflake Eel, a 4" pink & blue spotted Goby, a 3" Yellow Tang, a 3.5" Sailfin Tang, and a 5" Whelk (snail).
Thanks for your advice.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by jbicb3

OK, next question... I've read in the forums that you can inject them with lemon juice to kill them.

I don't think I've heard of lemon juice but I suppose it would work, too, since it's a strong citric acid. I've heard of injecting dilute hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), plain white vinegar, concentrated calcium hydroxide (Kalkwassser), boiling water, heated concentrated calcium hydroxide and various commercial preparations. I'm sure all of them will work. However, you would want to be careful that you not overdo any of these methods in one session. Overdoing the Kalkwasser injections would raise your pH too much. Overdoing any acidic injections would lower your pH too much. It's fine to do three or four Aiptasia at a time but you shouldn't try to do three or four dozen at one time.

I think I saw that you do it with a syringe without the needle, but how much should I give each one (I see two on the live rock), and should I move the LR to an isolation tank to do it?

How much you need to inject depends on the size of the animal you are trying to kill off. For most Aiptasia, I believe one or two milliliters should do the trick. I have never had Aiptasia myself so I have no personal experience with this but I believe most people who use a syringe, use one with the largest needle they can find. If possible, you want to inject the column and the center of the disc.

If it is possible to remove the live rock to a separate container for this exercise in Aiptasiacide, then that would be great but not absolutely necessary. If you remove the rock from your tank then you don't have to worry about overdoing anything in the tank, not that that should be a real problem if things are done in moderation.

Also, how long will it take for them to die off? Do I need to administer more than one dose? Will it be obvious when they die?

It should be obvious immediately that they are dying. You will probably not need to administer more than one well placed dose. Be careful that you do not break the animal into pieces because each piece can regenerate into a new animal.

Also in mt 75gal FOWLR is a 14" Snowflake Eel, a 4" pink & blue spotted Goby, a 3" Yellow Tang, a 3.5" Sailfin Tang, and a 5" Whelk (snail).
Thanks for your advice.

Done in moderation, this procedure should have no ill effects on anything in your tank. Except for those animals you choose to inject.

Be sure to report back and tell us how you did.

[MarinePig]

I was recommeded the following method (which did work). I took a syringe with a needle and injected a dose of very salty water (specific gravity of 1.045 or better) into the body of it. This seemed like the best way to me since it is salt water in the tank to begin wtih. I guess it is so high for the plant that it "OD's" on what it lives in. Any rate, this was the simplest thing for me and I didn't have to move the rock to another tank, etc. Just my 2 cents. Oh, almost forgot, I also read that Peppermint Shrimp will eat them.

[goldfishees]

Ok, I know this is off topic but I saw a shrimp in that picture what kind is it.

[jbicb3]

That is a fresh water Ghost Shrimp. My Snowflake eel is spoiled to them.

BTW, I tried the Very Salty water, and saw no effect. However, I tried the white vinager, and it worked like a charm. I did notice another one on a different LR while changing the water this weekend. I'll have to get him soon.

[goldfishees]

Originally Posted by jbicb3

That is a fresh water Ghost Shrimp. My Snowflake eel is spoiled to them.

Ya that's what I thought I have some but an anomine is saltwater a ghost shrimp is fresh water how can that be???????????

[marxsman]

I dont't know about the shrimp, but a lot of fresh water fish can be aclimated if done right to saltwater, I actually acclimated a salt tank with fresh water mollys. when they started to breed i had many fry that i aclimatted back to fresh and sold to the lfs. I also let my clown fish eat a lot of the fry. yummy

Originally Posted by goldfishees

Ya that's what I thought I have some but an anomine is saltwater a ghost shrimp is fresh water how can that be???????????

[RossandMandyProject]

i was just wonderin why you were trying to kill your anemone to begin with? I have been trying to grow certain types of anemone's and the thought of killing them off intentionally hurts, are they harmful to your tank? and where did that thing come from anyway??????

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by RossandMandyProject

i was just wonderin why you were trying to kill your anemone to begin with?

He's trying to kill his anemone because it is Aiptasia. They are VERY BAD!!!

They can overrun your tank is no time at all if you don't do something about them. They reproduce by pedal laceration -- small pieces of tissue left behind when the anemone moves around.

They have a very powerful sting and are capable of killing off your corals and other things you paid good money for.

P.S. -- Did you see my very first response in this thread? "It appears to be one of those evil Aiptasia anemones."

[goldfishees]

Originally Posted by marxsman

I dont't know about the shrimp, but a lot of fresh water fish can be aclimated if done right to saltwater, I actually acclimated a salt tank with fresh water mollys. when they started to breed i had many fry that i aclimatted back to fresh and sold to the lfs. I also let my clown fish eat a lot of the fry. yummy

Ok I learned something new today Molys live were the saltwater meets freshwater. So, their like samon scence they live in salt and freshwater. Don't put a goldfish in a saltwater tank.

[patandreba]

I feed my snowflake with a long rigid tube (the type that is used to supply air to a undergravel filter) split at one end. I just pinch a rosie or guppy's tail in the prongs, and lower him to the eel. This way I dont have to worry about uneaten freshwater fish rotting in my tank unnoticed.