Aptasia and The Fish Store

[bdhough]

Upon recently visiting my favorite LFS i noticed for the first time alot of their tanks have aptasia growing all over. Even in some of their coral tanks. My question is it a good idea to buy anything that has aptasia growing in it? I imagine for buying fish it isn't a problem, but buying corals with aptasia in it? Let me know what you people think. Thanks.

 

[reefersx2]

If it isnt growing in the coral it could be alright. IMO aptasia can come from anywhere(liverock mostly) the best thing I have tried to get rid of them are pepermint shrimp.

 

[bdhough]

So i've heard. Mine just recently died mysteriously. Have no idea why. Waters about a good as it gets.... Oh well. I have no aptasia yet thankfully but i was just wondering about that....

 

[yosemite sam]

Mine came in on my live rock and at first I thought they were neat. But now that I have added corals, they have become a big pain in the butt. The were reproducing like crazy but have slowed down now. I was constantly picking them off my colt coral. Is there any way to get rid of them? My peppermint shrimp just seem to ignore them, and I don't want to add a racoon Butterfly with all my corals and the clam. Any ideas?

 

[otto13]

get your normal dosage for calcium and inject a little bit into every one of the little buggers. Use a turkey baster to suck it up after it dies.

 

[yosemite sam]

Just get a syringe or something and mix with kalkwasser? Wow, I have not heard of that before. Thanks!

 

[killyah]

i think aptasia in a fish only with live rock looks cool to tell u the truth!!! i went to my LFS and said i wanted to buy that rock with aptasia on it and he said why?lol there pests he siad and he looks at me like i was nuts or something. i said i like the way they look and they good filter feeders. for some reason they dont grow in my tank . i said i'll give him $10 for a med size rock with loads of aptasia , then he goes just take them i dont want them. yeah baby!!! so i put them in my fudge for now and hope to have loads in the future.

 

[bdhough]

Well i concur with the fish guy. Just remember that from what i know aptasia is like a stinging weed. Almost like anemones. They can sting your fish from what i understand.
They are kinda cool though.

 

[jrb384]

A LFS in my town actually sells aptasias for a dollar each. They even tried to tell me that aptasia's are good because they are a cheap way to judge your water conditions. if they start to close up, then you know something is up with the water.... I guess you will hear all sorts of ideas in this hobby...