Aiptasia in a zoa colony

[Phyllia131]

I've got an aiptasia growing strait out of a frag of zoanthids, stinging the living daylight out of them. Can I juice it with out harming the zoa's, or what? Do I have another option?
Thanks.

 

[hexedagain]

You more than likely will kill a zoa polyp or two with juicing.
You can try peppermint shrimp, if your tank will allow them. If you are not just going to be feeding them to one of your fish. They love aptasia. At least mine do.
I have 4 peppermints in my 65, and 5 in my 75 and I am aptasia free in both.
( I am knocking on wood as I type this, LOL )
This is just my opinion on aptasia, and juicing them so close to zoas/palys.

 

[Dawn B]

I've had very good luck with filling a small syringe (for example, bd or monojet, like the kind used for medicine such as insulin) with lemon juice. Insert into the aiptasia, give a small squirt. Even if the aiptasia closes up, insert the needle into the body and squirt a bit of lemon juice.

This works every time for me, and does not bother anything around the target.

Best, db

 

[carolina reefer]

Do whatever is necessary to get rid of the aptasia. It will multiply like crazy. You may lose a polp or two of the zoa but they will grow back.

 

[Phyllia131]

Thanks, guys. All great advice.

 

[Eklikewhoa]

I tried the lemon juice/diabetic needle and it worked!

This is after failed attempts with pep shrimp cause I have a wrasse that thinks I am feeding him.

 

[Wrench]

I just use a shot of joes juice in a syringe very carefully being sure not to get any on the zoos. Made out ok so far.

 

[Hypertek99]

I have an aptasia in my zoa too. Do i inject the lemon juice while it's in the tank or take it out and do it in a bowl???

 

[lilith]

I used an aptasia eating nudibrach to get rid of the aptasia growing in my zoo colonies. Good luck!

 

[aquarius77]

I had a few sprout up when my wrasse decided to kill my peppermints. I took a needle that i got a the farm store and i made a thin Kalk paste and went right down its mouth till i felt rock and injected them. Three days later i added 5 more peppermints and the wrasse only killed 4, i still have one shrimp and no aps after about 6 months.

 

[salty3]

I had a couple on a frag I got and pinched them off and then covered the rest in superglue gel and it has worked for the few I had.

 

[Phyllia131]

Well so far, the lemon juice thing hasn't worked for me. I guess I forgot to mention that these are super aiptasia. Manipulative little bastard, they're actually nice looking, and considered keeping them for about a second. What kind of nudi eats aiptasia?

 

[Neptune777]

Get a handful of peppermint Shrimp and your aiptasia worries will be long gone.....worked very well for me! The problem I experienced was the chemical solutions only caused the anemones to spawn/split little ones all over the place.

 

[Overt8kr]

Wouldn't peppermint shrimps eat coral as well?

I have a big aiptasia grownig on an unreachable cave on the bottom of tha tank.

I'm considering the chemical option (blue vet aiptasia control), but have to work my way to reach it.

If peppermint were an safe option I might consider it better.
A copperband is a treat for the feather dusters I have.

I have a cleaner shrimp and a coral banded. My sweetlips just passed away making safe for a peppermint.

Let me know your opinion on the blu vet over the shrimp option.

 

[Phyllia131]

I've never heard of peppermint shrimp eating any polyps. How long has it been where it is? If it's not multiplying or in the way of anything, no harm no foul?