Please help identify
- Thread starter NMSREEFER
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FinzAquatics
New member
Definitely aiptasia
phobos2deimos
New member
If you can remove the shell it's on without disturbing it that works fine. You can kill them one at a time manually with kalk paste (found at walmart, 'pickling lime', about $3) or peppermint shrimp are a great choice.
saltwater sam
New member
It's safe to say your tank is probably infected. It's just a matter of time before you'll start finding them other places in your tank.
It's not tissue left behind that is the issue. When threatened, they release spores....
Facepalm. Anemones don't have spores as they aren't a mold or mushroom. They generally reproduce asexually by splitting. this creates genetically identical nems. If you cut an anemone into pieces each piece will generally grow into another nem.
In instances where they don't split they broadcast fertilize where males release sperm and females release eggs. These free float in the water column until fertilized. Most corals and nems only spawn according to lunar cycles. Human agitation wouldn't cause a spawning event
Pull out what you can, treat the big ones with kalk paste, and add one or two peppermint to pick at remains of any that survive. Peppermint shrimp look a lot like camel shrimp (which won't eat nems) do your research before you buy so you know what you're getting. Don't always trust the people at your LFS. A Responsible reefkeeper is an informed one.
In instances where they don't split they broadcast fertilize where males release sperm and females release eggs. These free float in the water column until fertilized. Most corals and nems only spawn according to lunar cycles. Human agitation wouldn't cause a spawning event
Pull out what you can, treat the big ones with kalk paste, and add one or two peppermint to pick at remains of any that survive. Peppermint shrimp look a lot like camel shrimp (which won't eat nems) do your research before you buy so you know what you're getting. Don't always trust the people at your LFS. A Responsible reefkeeper is an informed one.
saltwater sam
New member
While spores isn't the technically correct term, the free-swimming planula that aiptasia produce are very hardy and basically act as spores in an aquarium. They can spread everywhere in an aquarium with a single spawning. It's a very effective and productive form of reproduction and that's why aiptasia proliferate in aquariums so quickly.
carmelpi
New member
Aiptasia also release planula while being disturbed, which is why manual removal of aiptasia is not recommended unless you can do it without disturbing the aiptasia. Hence the comment "your tank is infected". Manual removal of the anemone would have triggered a release of planula. So, while terminology is incorrect, the basic gist of the comment is correct.
Also, fungi aren't the only producers of spores. Some bacteria do as well. I see where you were going with the facepalm but it was unwarranted and kinda douchy. You could have just said "they release planula, not spores, which are the larval stage of aiptasia. These resemble ciliated protozoans and are free-swimming in water. They grow into an adult aiptasia when they encounter a hard surface and attach."
I would have tried berghia nudibranchs, personally. They don't care about size of the anemone and you could have passed them on to someone else with an aiptasia problem once yours cleared. They are obligate feeders on aiptasia so no worries about them snubbing aiptasia (like peps might) and they will leave your corals alone. In a little tank they would be much easier to recollect and pay forward.
Also, fungi aren't the only producers of spores. Some bacteria do as well. I see where you were going with the facepalm but it was unwarranted and kinda douchy. You could have just said "they release planula, not spores, which are the larval stage of aiptasia. These resemble ciliated protozoans and are free-swimming in water. They grow into an adult aiptasia when they encounter a hard surface and attach."
I would have tried berghia nudibranchs, personally. They don't care about size of the anemone and you could have passed them on to someone else with an aiptasia problem once yours cleared. They are obligate feeders on aiptasia so no worries about them snubbing aiptasia (like peps might) and they will leave your corals alone. In a little tank they would be much easier to recollect and pay forward.
Mahimahiman
New member
Me too!
carmelpi
New member
They're fickle. Sometimes they just decide other things taste better. I have a queen angel who will occasionally eat them but I prefer the nudis. I used ten to wipe out a serious infestation (easily several thousand) from my 240g fowlr. I haven't seen an aiptasia since, at least not until 1 hitchhiked in on a new rock and i didn't see it until it was in the tank. So long as it stays as is I will leave it alone. The last thing I need to do is disturb it and have it go crazy.
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