Newbie Question about Aiptasia

joecon · 12-31-2005, 11:02 PM

I know aiptasia anemones are very VERY undesirable. Can I ask why? Also, what if all I have is a FOWLR, how detrimental is the aiptasia and how urgent is it to get it removed?

Thanks!

sihaya · 12-31-2005, 11:06 PM

They reproduce really fast and they sting anything that's nearby them. In a FOWLR tank they might not be a problem right away, but they can easily get totally out of hand and make out of control hair algae look like an easy problem.
If you have room in your tank, you might consider getting a buttterfly fish that eats apatasia. They aren't reef safe, but most of them will keep your aptasia in check. (as far as I understand anyway...)

showfish · 01-01-2006, 12:31 AM

You might want to get some "Red Legged "Hairy" Hermit Crabs", they love Aiptasia, and they are cheap. You will only need a couple of them to work their magic. As for physical removal, not really effective here. You might just break them up causing them to spread further. I would try the "Red Leggers" first. Good luck to you.

sihaya · 01-01-2006, 12:34 AM

Really? I've never heard of those hermits eating aptasia (but that doesn't mean it's not true!). I know pepperment shrimp can work... if you don't have any fish that would eat them.

***Reefland*** · 01-01-2006, 01:10 AM

I've never head of any crabs eating Aiptasia. Sometimes Peppermint Shrimp will eat them, Copperband Butterflies and the "Berghia Nudibranchs". Beyond that, your looking at manual removal with some type of lethal injection.

Frag Hag · 01-01-2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

You might want to get some "Red Legged "Hairy" Hermit Crabs", they love Aiptasia, and they are cheap. You will only need a couple of them to work their magic.

My "red legged" hermit crabs are slackers. Not only do they not eat aiptasia, one is proudly wearing some sort of hydroid on its shell.

High marks for the peppermint shrimp though. I recently bought a rock with mushrooms...and aiptasias, and Pepe has been happily munching on them.

ibjmg · 01-01-2006, 12:20 PM

lemon juice .5 cc just killed 3 in the last week works great.

squirt .... gone ....bastards

**charlie** · 01-01-2006, 01:27 PM

This is all you need, he's been a model citizen, and he hates aiptasia

***Reefland*** · 01-01-2006, 01:51 PM

And pretty too!

**Poseidon** · 01-01-2006, 04:16 PM

I agree with Charlie!

Mine found an appetite for Galaxia though too!

**charlie** · 01-01-2006, 04:19 PM

Hey now, I didn't say they wouldn't nip

Mine has found a new appreciation for zooanthid polyps, but the way they grow in my 80, who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**The R/C Man** · 01-02-2006, 02:39 PM

I have had good luck with peppermint shrimp.... If they don't seem to be eating them that is because they prefer the food you feed the fish over the aptasia. Just reduce the amount of food you feed the fish for a few days and the aptasia will begin to dissappear....

12-31-2005, 11:02 PM	#1
joecon Tenant Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 62	Newbie Question about Aiptasia I know aiptasia anemones are very VERY undesirable. Can I ask why? Also, what if all I have is a FOWLR, how detrimental is the aiptasia and how urgent is it to get it removed? Thanks!

12-31-2005, 11:06 PM	#2
sihaya Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cleveland Posts: 661	They reproduce really fast and they sting anything that's nearby them. In a FOWLR tank they might not be a problem right away, but they can easily get totally out of hand and make out of control hair algae look like an easy problem. If you have room in your tank, you might consider getting a buttterfly fish that eats apatasia. They aren't reef safe, but most of them will keep your aptasia in check. (as far as I understand anyway...) __________________ ~namaste~

01-01-2006, 12:31 AM	#3
showfish Citizen Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 186	You might want to get some "Red Legged "Hairy" Hermit Crabs", they love Aiptasia, and they are cheap. You will only need a couple of them to work their magic. As for physical removal, not really effective here. You might just break them up causing them to spread further. I would try the "Red Leggers" first. Good luck to you. __________________ Learning is a lifelong process

01-01-2006, 12:34 AM	#4
sihaya Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cleveland Posts: 661	Really? I've never heard of those hermits eating aptasia (but that doesn't mean it's not true!). I know pepperment shrimp can work... if you don't have any fish that would eat them. __________________ ~namaste~

01-01-2006, 01:10 AM	#5
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 12,998	I've never head of any crabs eating Aiptasia. Sometimes Peppermint Shrimp will eat them, Copperband Butterflies and the "Berghia Nudibranchs". Beyond that, your looking at manual removal with some type of lethal injection. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

01-01-2006, 12:20 PM	#7
ibjmg Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: fremont ,CA "NOR CAL" Posts: 155	lemon juice .5 cc just killed 3 in the last week works great. squirt .... gone ....bastards __________________ If I could only get paid.....to sit in front of my tank

01-01-2006, 01:27 PM	#8
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,391	This is all you need, he's been a model citizen, and he hates aiptasia __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

01-01-2006, 01:51 PM	#9
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 12,998	And pretty too! __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

01-01-2006, 04:16 PM	#10
Poseidon Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Swartz Creek, MI Posts: 6,159	I agree with Charlie! Mine found an appetite for Galaxia though too! __________________ Need a Photographer? Just say NO to CRABS Mike

01-01-2006, 04:19 PM	#11
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,391	Hey now, I didn't say they wouldn't nip Mine has found a new appreciation for zooanthid polyps, but the way they grow in my 80, who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

01-02-2006, 02:39 PM	#12
The R/C Man Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 690	I have had good luck with peppermint shrimp.... If they don't seem to be eating them that is because they prefer the food you feed the fish over the aptasia. Just reduce the amount of food you feed the fish for a few days and the aptasia will begin to dissappear.... __________________ Greg 25 gallon reef with 20 gallon sump/fuge 375 gallon reef with 100 gallon sump/fuge: under construction Over time science has shown that the simplest answers are usually the correct ones.......

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