How does Aptasia spread?

[Dom]

I purchased a few frags from the LFS about 3 months ago and placed them in a small tank to observe.

During that time, I noticed a piece of live rock I placed in the tank and which I've had for years develop one head of Aptasia. So I pulled the rock and placed it in a small display where I could enjoy it and keep it under control.

Today, I took a look (with my glasses on) and noticed there were now three Aptasia heads. And I am also noticing one head of Aptasia on the back wall of the tank and on the overflow.

I can understand the rock developing more and more heads. But how it is growing on other areas of the tank? Do they release spores that travel around the tank?

 

[DED65]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aiptasia-life-cycle.728298/

 

[Doctorgori]

How does Aptasia spread?​

I was gonna say from toilet seats but that excuse got used up in the 70’s :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Today, I took a look (with my glasses on) and noticed there were now three Aptasia heads. And I am also noticing one head of Aptasia on the back wall of the tank and on the overflow.

had you used Aptasia X you might of had 15 by now,

at any rate …they always spread when threatened, unless you keep conversations low and to a minimum around your tanks

 

[Naekuh]

Its like a Wort... you keep messing with it without nuking it completely, it will come back, and all the bits you thought you pulled out will turn into new ones.

 

[Dom]

Its like a Wort... you keep messing with it without nuking it completely, it will come back, and all the bits you thought you pulled out will turn into new ones.

I isolated it so that I could enjoy it and keep it under control.

But I haven't done anything to eradicate any of what is currently in the tank, so, there are no bits and pieces.

 

[Dom]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/aiptasia-life-cycle.728298/

Yes, I looked at this.

Among other things, it states: "Aiptasia reproduce asexually by pedal laceration."

But I have not touched anything since placing that piece of rock in a separate tank.

How does pedal laceration occur?

 

[Jmp998]

They spread many ways. Pedal laceration is just budding from the foot, typically when they move from one spot to another they leave a piece behind, or sometimes just a bud separates and crawls away. They can spawn. Sometimes they will just release and float to a new spot to attach, especially if they don’t like the spot where they are (dark with not much food etc).

 

[DED65]

They will pop up in different spots, especially places that you really don’t notice. They seem to love overflows and spots where they can hide. I would bet that you have quite a few more than you can see.

 

[Dom]

They spread many ways. Pedal laceration is just budding from the foot, typically when they move from one spot to another they leave a piece behind, or sometimes just a bud separates and crawls away. They can spawn. Sometimes they will just release and float to a new spot to attach, especially if they don’t like the spot where they are (dark with not much food etc).

So they move around, much like an Anemone?

 

[Reefering1]

They are anemones...

 

[Dom]

They are anemones...

I did not know that. I wonder if the clowns will try and take up residence.

 

[Reefering1]

I did not know that. I wonder if the clowns will try and take up residence.

I haven't seen that...