is this aiptasia

[MikeYG1345]

hey,
im new here and new to marine fish keeping, just set up first tank for cycle noticed two strange polyps appear and thought they could be aiptasia. Both appeared on the same piece of live rock however yesterday one of the little guys decided to make the journey across my tank to relocate himself, if it is aiptasia i wish i had grabbed him out when i had the chance. I have looked at many pictures of aiptasia and cant figure out what iv got as it appears to have a more rounded head compared to thin branch look that iv seen in pictures.
heres a pic... please help me identify.

 

[Zer0.]

Looks like it.

 

[cloak]

If you can take that rock out of the water, you might want to burn it off with a cigarette lighter. GL.

 

[pyithar]

yes, that's an aiptasia.

 

[hockusspockuss]

Yes it is,copperband or peppermint shrimps,before goes out of control

 

[shesacharmer]

A copperband is inappropriate for your tank unless it is 125 gallons or more...just so you know. Peppermint Shrimp are hit or miss. I injected mine with lemon juice and they were gone for good.

 

[azdiver]

Kill it with fire!!! Just inject lemon juice before it spreads

 

[kw22]

I'd kill it right now.Add in a copperband or filefish if it's a fowlr,they'll eat them up.

 

[Boom]

Just don't try to pull it out manually! Any irritation makes them reproduce... a lot.
Since your tank is still cycling, you have more options than most. I have a breeding tank dedicated to 6 emerald crabs and 3 peppermint shrimp. I have watched the shrimp devour 4 large aptasia within seconds of introducing a rock from my DT. Wish I had filmed that! But they're very shy in a community. If you let one have dibs just before you introduce the rest of your livestock, he'll clean the tank in no time.
I have also gently placed a small rock and once a PVC coupling over the aptasia.The anemone moves right onto whatever object is blocking its light and access to food. I pick it up and dispose of it in some self satisfying way

 

[CuzzA]

Pull the rock out and scrub it off with a tooth brush (cursing at it helps) and rinse it off in separate tank water. Discard the the separate tank water.

 

[MinnFish]

Pull the rock out and scrub it off with a tooth brush (cursing at it helps) and rinse it off in separate tank water. Discard the the separate tank water.

This will not eradicate it. Only send it in hiding for a few days. To be effective, the foot must be killed.

 

[CuzzA]

is this aiptasia

This will not eradicate it. Only send it in hiding for a few days. To be effective, the foot must be killed.

It most certainly will. I've scrubbed it off frag plugs and clam shells plenty of times. It's not like it's screwed on to a rock. Yes, you must get all of it off including the foot.

 

[3dees]

I have had good luck with boiling lemon juice. it takes a few times but it works.

 

[MinnFish]

It most certainly will. I've scrubbed it off frag plugs and clam shells plenty of times. It's not like it's screwed on to a rock. Yes, you must get all of it off including the foot.

Embedded in smooth surfaces (clam shell, frag plugs) is one thing. But, being rooted in liverock is a different animal. Not to argue with your methods. But, your suggestion will not be most effective in this situation. Trust me on this one.

 

[Shawn O]

I have also placed a PVC coupling over the aptasia. The anemone moves right onto whatever object is blocking its light and access to food. I pick it up and dispose of it in some self satisfying way

This is something I've not heard of before but am intrigued by it. Rather than possibly making it reproduce (or not getting it all out by scrubbing) you're making the pest willingly move off of the rock into something that can be removed from the tank easily. Not only leading it to slaughter but making it do so willingly. :thumbsup:

This just made my decision about starting my first tank with fresh LR a bit easier to make.

 

[Dannigirl]

What about Aptasia X?