Are These Dangerous

[rbrocklesby]

Hi all,

Got two of these in my tank (about 2cm tall). They grew on the live rock (hitchhikers I guess). I do have fish in and wasn't sure whether these would be a problem as I saw one eat (or appear to eat) a piece of food meant for my little finned friends?

Question is what are they and are they dangerous? And if so how do I get rid of em?

Thx in advance

[bguile]

Do a search on aptasia. Not dangerous to fish generally, but can multiply quickly and sting corals.

[warforged]

Aptasia are the equivalant to Weeds in your garden. They spread like wild fire....dont scrape them or cut them ...itll just make them spread like mad..and they "will" take over the tank and kill off corals.

They are mini anemone to simplify what they are.

The best solution. Jones Juice ...google that or check a local saltwater specialist store.

Inject a tad into its face..intsa death! God I hate those things.

[Cas]

You want to inject with Joe's Juice or a calc paste to kill. Aptasia will over run your tank. A third option is to pull the whole rock out of the tank and use a propane torch to burn off the aptasia.

[warforged]

You want to inject with Joe's Juice or a calc paste to kill. Aptasia will over run your tank. A third option is to pull the whole rock out of the tank and use a propane torch to burn off the aptasia.

Though I have jones juice...taking the rock out and using a torch may add some Sadistic Fun to destroying those things

[johnmaloney]

Cas that is the way to do it! Propane torch...lol You really don't like aptasia huh?

[weez1959]

Though I have jones juice...taking the rock out and using a torch may add some Sadistic Fun to destroying those things

Did they come out with a new aptasia killer?
I have Joe's Juice also but I always prefered Kalk paste also, you just gently squirt in a big blob over the mouth and you can almost see the twisted face it makes when it gobbles it up!
Although I do have one of those mini torches.... muhahahahaha!

[DanMan36]

Hi all,

Got two of these in my tank (about 2cm tall). They grew on the live rock (hitchhikers I guess). I do have fish in and wasn't sure whether these would be a problem as I saw one eat (or appear to eat) a piece of food meant for my little finned friends?

Question is what are they and are they dangerous? And if so how do I get rid of em?

Thx in advance

With a needle, inject quick cure into him, he should die after that...

[weez1959]

I don't want to be a stick in the mud here but I don't think putting formalin and malachite into a reef tank is a good idea

[rbrocklesby]

Haven't got rid of these yet (haven't tried). There's still only two of them but they are quite large now (about 4cm when there in full flow!) and ist time for them to go.

What is the best way to get shut?

I like the idea of a peppermint shrimp but will it eat them when the aptasia is so big?

Or should I just buy Joes Juice and do it by lethal injection ?
Taking the live rock out to sort it isn't an option.

Thx

[Ninong]

I like the idea of a peppermint shrimp but will it eat them when the aptasia is so big?

It really doesn't make sense to go to all the trouble of buying peppermint shrimp just to get rid of two Aiptasia anemones. Another problem is that they may not eat them if they are really large, and even if they do eat them, they may not do a complete job. Any tiny piece of tissue left behind can regenerate into a new anemone.

Or should I just buy Joes Juice and do it by lethal injection?

If you have only two to take care of, you can do this without spending money on Joe's Juice. There are a variety of methods that you can use that do not involve going out and buying something you don't already have laying around the house.

Here are a few suggestions:

(1) Inject them with boiling water. Use a syringe and fill it with boiling water.

(2) Inject them with vinegar. (Or diluted hydrochloric acid -- muriatic acid.)

(3) Inject them with lemon juice. (Vinegar is better.)

(4) Inject them with concentrated Kalkwasser.

(5) Take some marine putty (epoxy) -- the kind you use to attach frags -- and seal them in when they withdraw.

Avoid the temptation to attack them with a knife or ice pick because you could end up with a whole lot of new anemones from the various pieces of tissue left behind.

Good luck!