apstasia problem

[Evyllchyld]

Its not completly a problem yet, But I bought a zoa colony from my LFS and I noticed the tank had a huge apstasia problem but didn't see any on this piece of rock that was no where near the other rocks. So its been two weeks since I've got it home and today I wake up to 2 apstasia. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them all at once? I want to nip this in the butt before it gets anyworse because I have some pretty expensive zoa's.

Thanks
-Brian

 

[gflat65]

You can try Joes Juice, but try not to hit the zoas with it, as it may kill them (I know it does a number on blasto merlettis). Another option is Pepermint Shrimp, though this is not fool proof. Berghia verrucicornis(sp?) nudis are another way to go, but they only feed on Aips, so they die out when they finish the job and the Aips usually come back. Of course, many are breeding the B. verrucicornis in test tubes, so...

 

[wliang]

Be careful using joe's juice because I had zoos right next to the aptasia and it just killed my zoos. And the aptasia just came back again. You have to get the joe's juice right into the aptasia's mouth.

 

[Evyllchyld]

LoL this aptasia popped up right in the middle of a colony. I took the rock out and I dug it out with a tip of a knife, will that prevent it from coming back??? The first one was on a piece of LR and I put it in HOT water and it hasn't come back.

 

[gflat65]

If any part of the Aip was left on the rock, it will come back... Trying to scrub them out has even worse effects, as they spread by basal laceration.

 

[Evyllchyld]

Yeh yeh, I just read that online that trying to get rid of them physically will just worsen the problem... wonderful.

 

[gflat65]

Is it in a 12 gallon? If so, get some Peppermint shrimp and reduce feeding a bit. They'll take care of the problem if they don't have too many other food choices, esp. in something that small. Besides, they're peaceful and cool to watch. They will steal from your LPS at feeding time, though.

 

[Evyllchyld]

I just noticed two more (total of 4) on only one colony of zoas I bought. Do you guys think I should get rid of this colony instead of risking them getting to my other LR?

 

[Hoggn]

Try boiling hot water in a syringe and zap them. Just stay away from your coral with it...

 

[Steph1643]

the only way that I have been able to get rid of the apstasia is my copperband butterfly.

 

[tangov559]

will the copperband butterfly eat other things too...such as hermits...and stuff

 

[JGoslee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7492889#post7492889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tangov559
will the copperband butterfly eat other things too...such as hermits...and stuff

I've heard that they go after inverts but I never witnessed it myself. Thay will eat fanworms,pods,clams and of coarse apistia.

 

[rich415]

I have found agreat way to get rid of aptasia on new frags. I heat up a pin or un-twisted paper clip over a flame when it gets really hot I pull out the frag and see where the aptasia has receded into and burn 'em. I have had to do this on my zoa's and blasto rocks. they never come back from that. This only gets rid of that specific aptasia though. I use a peppermint shrimp as a long term solution. He takes care of most. They never grow large enough now to become a problem.