What is this??

[littlefoxx]

This thing is growing on my zoa frag and popping up through spaces between polyps. What is it??

 

[dedragon]

aiptasia

 

[Marksmen_09]

This thing is growing on my zoa frag and popping up through spaces between polyps. What is it??

Looks to be aiptasis, common reef pest, would look into trying to get rid of it as it can kill and over run your tank if not controlled.

 

[kevgib67]

I’d say aptasia. It is strange, both times I’ve had aptasia it has been on my zoa garden almost as if zoas are a magnet for aptasia.

 

[littlefoxx]

I’d say aptasia. It is strange, both times I’ve had aptasia it has been on my zoa garden almost as if zoas are a magnet for aptasia.

I thought thats what it was -.-

Anyone know what fish/invert I can put in there to get rid of it and control it? Ive read peppermint shrimp, filefish and copperband butterfly fish. I have a long spine urchin, he has passed over it and not touched it. I also have halloween hermits, some red legs and blue legs. No fish right now

 

[Marksmen_09]

I thought thats what it was -.-

Anyone know what fish/invert I can put in there to get rid of it and control it? Ive read peppermint shrimp, filefish and copperband butterfly fish. I have a long spine urchin, he has passed over it and not touched it. I also have halloween hermits, some red legs and blue legs. No fish right now

Peppermint shrimp, and filefish would be best, but my not eat right away.

 

[dedragon]

filefish are hit or miss with aiptasia and most go after corals. I have tried an aiptasia eating filefish and all it wanted were my acans and chalices.
Copperband gets too large for your tank if you have a red sea max 260.
Best cheap option would be peppermints but they can still go after corals. Berghia nudibranchs are a good option and go after aiptasia but will starve after eating them. I would just use joes juice and then supergluing over the whole aiptasia completely smother it

 

[kevgib67]

I thought thats what it was -.-

Anyone know what fish/invert I can put in there to get rid of it and control it? Ive read peppermint shrimp, filefish and copperband butterfly fish. I have a long spine urchin, he has passed over it and not touched it. I also have halloween hermits, some red legs and blue legs. No fish right now

I used Berghia nudibranchs, aptasia is their only diet. However, wrasses and anything that eats aptasia will eat Berghia nudibranchs ( file fish, peppermint shrimp).

 

[IKD]

I used Berghia nudibranchs, aptasia is their only diet. However, wrasses and anything that eats aptasia will eat Berghia nudibranchs ( file fish, peppermint shrimp).

If you only have one or two aiptasia, the nudi’s will starve out. I would remove this rock, kill the aiptasia with glue or kalk paste and keep a close eye for any others.

Another option are kuekenthali shrimp which target aiptasia and also other foods so they don’t starve.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This thing is growing on my zoa frag and popping up through spaces between polyps. What is it??

I would not suggest a peppermint shrimp or Berghia for 1 or 2 aptasia. Keep it simple:
Using syringe, 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

 

[littlefoxx]

Thank you all! I am going to try the shrimp that @IKD suggested! Plus I do really like shrimp in my tank and those look pretty cool!