Utah Reefs Homepage
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Aptasia
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Aptasia

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>
Author
Chevmaro View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 11 2008
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 633
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chevmaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Aptasia
    Posted: January 05 2009 at 8:36pm
Son of a gun i have aptasia.  I know this is a common pest but my tank is too new for this.  only been up a couple months.  I got a bubble coral and some mushrooms from The Aquarium.  The first one i noticed was right on the back of the bubble coral and then i found some small ones on the mushroom rock.  I then seen some on my UT dry rock that had nothing else.  So i think they are pretty widespread now.  I have counted 5 and i think one is in my sand but its hard to tell.
 
I know they are impossible to get rid of.  Or are they?  I was thinking of trying to keep them under control is fine with me.  Butterfly fish and pepper shrimp a good idea?  I dont think i could inject them as they are in a hard to reach places.  Is it worth tearing my tank down?  I dont think so.
Back to Top
MadReefer View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: December 13 2007
Location: Kearns
Status: Offline
Points: 1965
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MadReefer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2009 at 9:10pm
A bunch of peppermint shrimp asap, might work.
Back to Top
Mike Savage View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: July 15 2005
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 19173
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Savage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2009 at 9:32pm
Peppermint shrimp will take care of the little ones if they are hungry. Almost anything hot or caustic will kill the big ones if you inject them with it. Somethings people have had luck with are Joe's Juice, Aiptasia X, Kalkwasser paste, Boiling water, or a small torch (flame).
 
Mike


Back to Top
bbeck4x4 View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: June 22 2005
Location: Spanish Fork
Status: Offline
Points: 2378
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bbeck4x4 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2009 at 9:48pm
add lemon juice to that list as well.
Family Portraits /Google trusted Photographer for Google Maps for Businesses
Back to Top
Mark Peterson View Drop Down
Paid Member
Paid Member
Avatar

Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 05 2009 at 11:12pm
Originally posted by Chevmaro Chevmaro wrote:

...I know they are impossible to get rid of.  Or are they? 
 I dont think i could inject them as they are in a hard to reach places. 
Is it worth tearing my tank down?  I dont think so.

It's good that you are checking your tank so well that you have discovered the Aiptasia.Star
Okay let's dispel some myths you must have heard:

1. They are easy to get rid of at this point in your tank's life.
2. If you can see them, you can inject them.
3. Tearing down the tank is not even in my vocabulary. I have never had to do it. There are ways to control all pests without much trouble when control starts in the early stages as you are in.

The best and if you are lucky, the only thing you will need to do, as long as you don't have any Triggers or Hawkfish, is arrange to buy a few hungry Peppermint Shrimp. To ensure they are hungry, check to see what and how much the LFS has been feeding them. If they were just received and have not been fed much, so much the better. There are some techniques for making them hungrier before you set them loose in your tank. We can go over that later. The number of shrimp depends on the size of the tank.

I recently got a beautiful rock covered with protopalythoa and feather duster worms from a friend and WMAS member. To my chagrin, there were a few Aiptasia. Within a month three hungry Peppermint Shrimp were added to my 75 and I totally forgot about the Aiptasia because they are nowhere to be seen. It's been 2 months since they were introduced and the two remaining shrimp are so cute. I just took some pics but it's too late. I'll post them later.




Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:
www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
Back to Top
Chevmaro View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 11 2008
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 633
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chevmaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 12:22am
90 gallon tank.  yes i can see them but im wondering how many i cant see.  I could try injecting them but two of them are way at the bottom which means i have to nearly dip my head in the water while trying to be handy with a siringe.  ill give it a shot.  Another member mentioned Berghia Nudibranchs.  How do you feel about those?  I was hoping for an excuse to buy a butterfly fish.  Some of them are great looking.  I dont have many corals right now so i dont think it would harm the tank too much.
Back to Top
Chevmaro View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 11 2008
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 633
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chevmaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 12:23am
oh yea and how fast do they grow?  These ones seemed to popup out of nowhere.  I closely inspect my tank every day.  do a head count of fish.  look for new growth and what not.  Theres no way i would have missed them and they werent there yesterday.
Back to Top
Dion Richins View Drop Down
Presidency
Presidency
Avatar

Joined: April 03 2005
Location: Farmington
Status: Offline
Points: 11664
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dion Richins Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:18am
Berghia Nudibranchs are only for massivly infested tanks. They will starve in your tank on short notice. Once the aptasia are gone, so are they.
Bad "censored" Cabinets
Best quality in the valley! He is one sexy bald guy, even with out a finger!(MAC)
Back to Top
Chevmaro View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 11 2008
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 633
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chevmaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 11:45am
Is it bad if they die?  If I have to sacrifice a few bugs to save my tank I will.
Back to Top
Mark Peterson View Drop Down
Paid Member
Paid Member
Avatar

Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 12:51pm
Yes, Aiptasia can seemingly come out of nowhere. Even just a small piece of their flesh can grow quickly into a good sized anemone. They are not a big deal for me. I just ensure that I have Peppermint Shrimp. I have had tanks where a few Aiptasia never got out of control, but I have seen tanks where the owner did nothing and eventually had a huge problem on his hands.



You seem to be avoiding the suggestion that the best first line of defense is Peppermint Shrimp.
Do you have any Peppermint Shrimp currently in the tank?
What kind of fish?
Have you tried Peppermint Shrimp and lost them?


Edited by Mark Peterson - January 06 2009 at 12:59pm
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:
www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group

Pet Store
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:02pm
I agree with peppermint shrimp i had an outbreak and i throw 3 in there and they took care of it!  Forgot they were even in my tank at any point.  I even kept them with a coral banded shrimp.  As long as the tank is big enough and they have hiding places the coral banded didnt bother them.  the Aquirium seems to keep them in stock, they are 8 bucks, kinda pricey, but well worth it!
Back to Top
Mark Peterson View Drop Down
Paid Member
Paid Member
Avatar

Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 1:54pm
Evening pic



Daytime silhouette

Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:
www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
Back to Top
Chevmaro View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 11 2008
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 633
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chevmaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 4:42pm
Im not avoiding the suggestion of Peppermint shrimp.  I am just trying to figure out the most successfull solution.  Everyone has there own opinions.  I'll pickup a few shrimp.  Im going out of town this weekend and all next week.  My tank will be neglected other then my wife feeding the fish.  I dont want things to get out of whack while im gone.  I'll get some added asap.  Thanks for everyones help.
Back to Top
Chevmaro View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 11 2008
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 633
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chevmaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 4:43pm
One last thing.  How many shrimp for a 90?  Do I need to throw one in the fuge?
Back to Top
Mark Peterson View Drop Down
Paid Member
Paid Member
Avatar

Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 5:25pm
It always good to add one more than needed to allow for normal mortality. We (my wife loves it when I include her in my writing) put 3 in our 75 which is the same footprint as a 90. Lost one but two is plenty to do the job. If there are Aiptasia in the fuge you can either let it feed the peppermints with baby aiptasia or put one there to be moved later if it is eating all the pods.
Be sure to acclimate slightly slower than for fish. Shrimp tend to be a little more sensitive.

If you want to be sure they are hungry, place them into the tank for a day or two in a small container with a bridal veil lid. We often use the quart size salad containers for keeping things in the tank that I don't want immediately exposed to the tanks inhabitants. An elastic holds the bridal veil in place of the lid and a small rock inside keeps the container from floating away.

FYI, this method works well for introducing new fish that may find themselves entering a territorial dispute. It seems to soften the blow and if the actions of the territorial fish toward the fish in the container indicate excessive aggression toward the new guy, he can be easily removed without ever witnessing a fight.

This placing of the new fish in a "cage" within the tank also allows training of the resident fishes before releasing the new one. If you haven't heard of the fish training method just ask.


Edited by Mark Peterson - January 06 2009 at 5:29pm
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:
www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
Back to Top
mermaidcamille View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: November 04 2007
Location: South Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 1738
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mermaidcamille Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 6:34pm
I had a bad outbreak in two of my tanks.  I was most worried about my 130 g.  Here is what I tried and what did and didn't work and how much I spent.  $%#@ anemones!:
 
Nudibrachs-bought 10, they average $10 each.  Never saw them after the second day and the aptasia didn't go anywhere.
 
Aptasia X- $14 bought two bottles.  Killed a lot of them, but some came back and won't die!  I figured if I kept this up I would be buying aptasia x forever and should probably invest in there stock.
 
Aptasia Control-$8 same as aptasia x except the other corals didn't like it very much.
 
5 peppermint shrimp: got online for 20.  Didn't do anything. 
 
Lemon Juice: Free out of my fridge.  Just pissed the aptasia off.
 
So what finally worked? 
 
I bought 12 peppermint shrimp!  Problem nearly gone by next day.
If you talk to Chris at Fish-4-U he was willing to help me get a better price on them if I bought a bunch.  This is what I would suggest, since I tried everything else.
 
Good luck!
 
Camille
Back to Top
Mark Peterson View Drop Down
Paid Member
Paid Member
Avatar

Joined: June 19 2002
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 21436
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 06 2009 at 11:45pm
Camille, I'm thinking that the chances are, of those 20 you got from Kris, 5 would have done the job. It was the luck of the draw in getting some that liked Aiptasia and were hungry for it. I never give up on Peppermint Shrimp. That's why I suggest making them hungry before letting them loose. Better chance they will eat anything, especially Aiptasia.
Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:
www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
Back to Top
Chevmaro View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: October 11 2008
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 633
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chevmaro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 08 2009 at 8:53pm
I picked up 3 Pepper shrimps and some Blue  Vet RX Aptasia Control.  Not firmiliar with this stuff but the gal at Fish4U said she has had it work for her.  I tried it with the injection method and I can no longer see the larger one i injected.  Not sure if i scared it into the rock but i felt like i got a good poke.  It has been an hour ill keep an eye on the tank for the next little bit.
Back to Top
Mike Savage View Drop Down
Guest
Guest
Avatar

Joined: July 15 2005
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 19173
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Savage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 08 2009 at 10:12pm
Camille did have some awesome Glass Anemones (Aiptasia)
 
 
Mike


Back to Top
EagleEyez5 View Drop Down
Guest
Guest


Joined: June 02 2007
Location: @MarineAquatics
Status: Offline
Points: 1993
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote EagleEyez5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 08 2009 at 11:22pm
Hey mike, can you post that picture under my thread, or do you mind if I do?

I hope some people still have some aptasia for me......

WMAS PAID SPONSOR
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  123>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.234 seconds.