Anemone? Id.

[DrJamesDaddy]

I've had these guys since my original batch of live rock. Any suggestions of what they may be? They are kind of purple and brown striped with a white center and outlaying purple.

Thanks in advance,

James

 

[dalston]

Looks to be aptasia, which is a pest anemone. I would recommend removal while numbers are low as they can spread fast. There are many methods of removal such as Joe's Juice, kalk paste, boiling water, etc...

 

[sam.basye]

+1 Aiptasia.
If your rocks are small enough, like mine were, I used a dremel and the engraving tool to obliterate them in their holes after they retract when you take the rock out.

 

[DrJamesDaddy]

Thanks gang for the id'ing. I must agree they are certainly Aiptasia. My LFS has an order coming in next week and lucky for me it contains Peppermint Shrimp. I will pick up a couple mid-end of next week. Do you think 2 would suffice? I have a 20 gallon.

 

[shifty51008]

Ive never had luck with pep shrimp, usually if they do eat them they only eat the smaller ones and leave the bigger ones. Kalk paste or inject them with boiling water or lemon juice worked good for me.

 

[hotelbravo]

ive had great luck with peppermint shrimp i bought 3 for an aiptasia outbreak in 2014 and have not seen a single aiptasia since

 

[DrJamesDaddy]

Good suggestions gang. I'm going to get the shrimp and try them. At worst I have a couple more tanks mates. I've had this Aiptasia in here for months and he doesn't seem to be going nuts so I will try the shrimps and take it from there. I hope they work out. If not, I'll take to more drastic measures.

Thanks again!