Identification help please

[VexedTomb792]

Hi all, I have a growing colony of pulsing Xenia on the rock work in the tank, over the past few weeks I’ve seen a few filaments of a darker colour coming up through the crown, filaments which I actually thought were some form of algae, I decided that I would use a toothbrush when the lights were out and colony retracted to remove the strands. However, when I attempted to do this under the beam of a flashlight I was surprised to find that it wasn’t algae at all but some form of invert…… I took 2 photos (I can’t get any better ones I’m afraid, my phone doesn’t like the depth of water and thickness of glass) I’m hoping they are good enough for some of you guys to be able to help me identify what it is.

 

[sixty_reefer]

I’d recognise this from a mile away, even with blurry pictures it’s aiptasia.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Yep that would be aiptasia. There’s many ways you can remove it. I would advice getting rid of it now before it starts to spread

 

[VexedTomb792]

Thanks both. I think you are right, I haven’t seen any others…..yet, although there may be some so it makes sense to deal with it now before it gets worse. So in your opinions, chemical or peppermint shrimp methods? I have 4 beautiful BTA nems very close to where this pest is (you can see 2 of them closed up in the photos) concerned about the chemical method.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

I love aiptasias. I have like 11 now. Used to have some 20+. One of the aiptasias i have is 2 inches tall! Havent harmed any of my corals.

But, my lfs once told me to cleanly cut the head of (cut the stalk clean and fast) before quickly removing it. I dont know how effective this method is though.

 

[sixty_reefer]

I love aiptasias. I have like 11 now. Used to have some 20+. One of the aiptasias i have is 2 inches tall! Havent harmed any of my corals.

But, my lfs once told me to cleanly cut the head of (cut the stalk clean and fast) before quickly removing it. I dont know how effective this method is though.

It’s a good method if you’re trying to have more, if you cut the stalk a new one will grow from it’s foot.

 

[VexedTomb792]

I love aiptasias. I have like 11 now. Used to have some 20+. One of the aiptasias i have is 2 inches tall! Havent harmed any of my corals.

But, my lfs once told me to cleanly cut the head of (cut the stalk clean and fast) before quickly removing it. I dont know how effective this method is though.

I know nothing about them, only that everyone says they are bad. I kind of get what you mean though, this one has grown deep within my soft coral colony and the colony hasn’t receded at all. Without asking on here I wouldn’t have known that the Aiptasia was capable of doing harm.

 

[DSC reef]

They're terrible and will take over your tank and kill whatever is in its vicinity. Id take that rock out and manually remove the aptasia then rinse it good to make sure nothing is left behind. Get ahead of the aptasia or you'll be chasing a nightmare.

 

[VexedTomb792]

They're terrible and will take over your tank and kill whatever is in its vicinity. Id take that rock out and manually remove the aptasia then rinse it good to make sure nothing is left behind. Get ahead of the aphasia

Unfortunately I can’t remove the rock, it’s cemented in place with all the others with acrylic rods. How would you remove if not able to remove the rock?

 

[56longroof]

Get a insulin syringe and inject it with vinegar. Poof! Gone!

 

[VexedTomb792]

Get a insulin syringe and inject it with vinegar. Poof! Gone!

After reading about aiptasia all morning that’s the first time I’ve heard or read that! How did you find out that worked? Do you inject into the disc itself? Why do they sell other products when ordinary vinegar does the job that well?

 

[56longroof]

After reading about aiptasia all morning that’s the first time I’ve heard or read that! How did you find out that worked? Do you inject into the disc itself? Why do they sell other products when ordinary vinegar does the job that well?

I was carbon dosing vinegar and figured why not. I also use it to spot treat problem algea. It works great on that too. Just be careful around corals and you'll be fine. I try to get it into the disc but I dont think it matters to be honest. The other products are money wasted in my opinion but their marketing would probably disagree.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

It’s a good method if you’re trying to have more, if you cut the stalk a new one will grow from it’s foot.

Oof! Yeah, luckily never did that. If not, i might have a hundred by now, lol. Thanks for the info! I learn something new everyday.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

I know nothing about them, only that everyone says they are bad. I kind of get what you mean though, this one has grown deep within my soft coral colony and the colony hasn’t receded at all. Without asking on here I wouldn’t have known that the Aiptasia was capable of doing harm.

True. You will learn a lot here. I always learn a thing or two here everyday! I may have not had any bad experiences with aiptasia but the same cant be said for others. Its a matter of luck