First fight with Aptasia

[DonJuanAntwon]

Been in the hobby just about 2 years now and I think I have my first aptasia breakout. They’re pretty significant but they’re tiny/clear and only in the dark spots where light doesn’t penetrate. I’m gonna give the peppermint shrimp or nudibranchs a try. I think it’s weird they’re only in unlit places and no where else? Thank you.

 

[Jesse Sunday]

I'd be curious to know where they came from. Have you added any new rocks or corals recently? Or were they possibly there but undetectable or not flourishing until recently?

I'd bet the peppermint would clear them up quickly.

It's hard to see from the pictures, though, but are you sure they're Aiptasia?

 

[DonJuanAntwon]

I'd be curious to know where they came from. Have you added any new rocks or corals recently? Or were they possibly there but undetectable or not flourishing until recently?

I'd bet the peppermint would clear them up quickly.

It's hard to see from the pictures, though, but are you sure they're Aiptasia?

I’m not entirely sure they are as they are only in the dark and not on any rock work that has light. I really don’t notice them until recently. They are little white polyps with clear whispy tentacles so I assumed they were aphasia.

 

[DonJuanAntwon]

I add some zoa frags every few weeks for my zoa garden. Maybe they came in on them.

 

[Jesse Sunday]

Here's one of mine... I let them be in my sump.

They're very easy to spot and darker, but maybe that's because mine are older and well-fed. :)

 

[DonJuanAntwon]

Yeah these are tiny little clear wisps if that makes sense

 

[ReefEngineer]

I would recommend Berghia Nudibranchs as aiptasia is their only diet and they will eat all the aiptasia before they spread.

Peppermint shrimp is an option as well but unfortunately not all peppermint shrimp will go after aiptasia.

I breed and sell Berghia nudibranchs and I have saved 100's of tanks over the years.

Reach out if your interested in any.

 

[Uncle99]

The only thing that ever worked for me was the Copperband.
About 3 ish days or so.
In the rocks, on the glass, in the wavemakers, poking out of weir, between coral branches….
Gone….100%

He’s my hero

 

[vetteguy53081]

Keep it simple. If a few, Using a syringe or pipette, inject either lemon juice or better yet. . kalkwasser powder mixed with tank water into a paste the consistency of toothpaste and inject into the very center core and it will melt away
If many, You cant beat a Kleini Butterfly BUT must be the bluehead- NOT the yellow version. The yellow will go after coral too but bluehead as pictured will eat aptasia like candy, then eat all dry and frozen food offered, colorful, friendly and stays small. I will note that a couple of persons who got the blue had their kleini nip zoa. if so- easy sell, or place in sump as aptasia have likely made it down there already

 

[dwest]

I don’t see aiptasia in the pics. I can’t ID what you have though. Possibly hydroids.

Aiptasia will seek light then turn a more brownish color.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I cant see any aptaisia in those pics, doesn't mean they aren't there though. I agree, pretty sure I see hydroids.

 

[Jolson10]

Keep it simple. If a few, Using a syringe or pipette, inject either lemon juice or better yet. . kalkwasser powder mixed with tank water into a paste the consistency of toothpaste and inject into the very center core and it will melt away
If many, You cant beat a Kleini Butterfly BUT must be the bluehead- NOT the yellow version. The yellow will go after coral too but bluehead as pictured will eat aptasia like candy, then eat all dry and frozen food offered, colorful, friendly and stays small. I will note that a couple of persons who got the blue had their kleini nip zoa. if so- easy sell, or place in sump as aptasia have likely made it down there already

Kalk paste has worked well for me

 

[EricR]

Like others have stated, pictures aren't clear to me but I'd guess something more like colonial hydroids.

 

[Jmp998]

I don’t see aiptasia in the pics. I can’t ID what you have though. Possibly hydroids.

Aiptasia will seek light then turn a more brownish color.

Agree, poor picture but probably NOT aiptasia. They are too uniform in size and distribution. Post a better picture and maybe they can be identified.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I agree on colonial hydroids. I saw the pic of aptasia with crab and thought it was your pic and now realize. My best removal was cutting all the stems of them at their base with a mini fiskars scissors and netting them up as I cut them.

 

[DonJuanAntwon]

I agree on colonial hydroids. I saw the pic of aptasia with crab and thought it was your pic and now realize. My best removal was cutting all the stems of them at their base with a mini fiskars scissors and netting them up as I cut them.

Is there anything that eats them? I’ll try cutting them and see what happens, they’re so tiny I don’t know I can get something small enough under them.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is there anything that eats them? I’ll try cutting them and see what happens, they’re so tiny I don’t know I can get something small enough under them.

Eat - not really which makes them challenging. The only known species to consume them are lynx nudibranch and flameback angel which are not easy to find and costly.
These hydroids eat suspended food and often directing water flow towards them will prevent this and in turn they will starve but not guaranteed.

 

[DonJuanAntwon]

Eat - not really which makes them challenging. The only known species to consume them are lynx nudibranch and flameback angel which are not easy to find and costly.
These hydroids eat suspended food and often directing water flow towards them will prevent this and in turn they will starve but not guaranteed.

Thank you!

 

[Dburr1014]

Been in the hobby just about 2 years now and I think I have my first aptasia breakout. They’re pretty significant but they’re tiny/clear and only in the dark spots where light doesn’t penetrate. I’m gonna give the peppermint shrimp or nudibranchs a try. I think it’s weird they’re only in unlit places and no where else? Thank you.

Hydroids