I have a Aiptasia what's so bad about them?

[pebbles]

I found a Aiptasia on a live rock I have in my tank (I've seen pic's and am 99% sure that's what it is I kinda like it, why does everyone want to kill them??? I do have a jawfish & wouldnt want it to get hurt but the only other 2 fish I have are clowns. It's only a 40 gal tank so I'm not going to be able to add much more so the Aiptasia is something else to look at. any suggestions? Thanks

 

[bigarn]

If you don't have corals they shouldn't be a problem .... they're known to sting them.

 

[reefnut]

As said they can sting and even kill corals and they can multiply like crazy becoming a major issue in a reef full of corals. If you like it, keep it... just keep this in mind.

 

[bigarn]

Thanks ReefNut ..... I left that out.

 

[jacob_poly]

Once they procreate they are very difficult to control. They thrive where other fish and anemone species might have problems. I let the first aptasia in my tank grow since I thought it was cute, didn't know that I had left the door open for the cavalry to come in....

 

[pebbles]

do you think they will hurt my jawfish?? I dont have any corals, but want to get mushrooms sometime in the next year.

 

[jacob_poly]

Not that I know of....your fish should be fine...just be wary of proliferation

 

[inkman2004]

I don't think they will hurt the jawfish, but if you are like everyone else on this site then you will get hooked pretty quickly and want more than just mushrooms. I would recomend getting rid of them as quickly as you can.
Good luck.

 

[pebbles]

Thanks for your posts!!!

 

[theishkid]

I actually bought a piece of live rock just because it had the aptasia on it. I never had any problem with it stinging fish or other corals. You're only problem like others said is that if you are not careful it will multiply like crazy. I love all the life in my tank, but I have a big problem whenever I can't control something or take something out if i want.

 

[inkman2004]

Oh my lord you must be a sooner fan!!! Never heard of anyone buying aptasia on purpose. LOL

Just kiddin!
GO HORNS!!!!

 

[theishkid]

hey inkman... what's it like losing to those sooners all the time???
sorry man I just couldn't resist.
Yea those weren't my brighter days... about as dumb as actually paying for xenia. I've made quite a few mistakes since I began this hobby...
I do believe an emerald crab will take care of your aptasia if it gets out of hand... I put one in and never had another problem with them.

 

[inkman2004]

HA HA. I can take the jokes as long as you realize that every player on your team that is worth a poop is from TEXAS!! J/K I have family that are sooner fans and we have a big party every year for the shoot out. I have gotten waxed for about 5 yrs, but our time is comin. Ditto that with the emerald crabs. Mine even ate some hydroids I had growing.
Later.
I can grow some hydroids and sell them to you if you are interested!!! J/K.

 

[pebbles]

OK HE WAS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT!!!!!!!! As everyone said I now have a ton of them in my tank!!!!! I bought an emerald crab last week I'll post again if he controls them. WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!! My brother has a 125gal tank & said he's never had a aiptasia get as big as mine is & it's only about 2 1/2 mos old plus all the BABIES!!!! OMG WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! fingers crossed! I hope the emerald works.
I tried boiling water & thought it worked but they were back the very next day. I may try this again.

 

[bigarn]

I've never heard of emeralds eating aiptasia (although anything's possible) peppermint shrimp are known aiptasia eaters, or you can use Joe's Juice. You can also make up a kalkwasser paste and zap them with a syringe full.

 

[dougai]

i just got a peice of lr with one on it too
i just left it but if i start seeing anything wierd im yanking the whole peice out

 

[beth]

One good thing about them....they kill ich. Thought I'd throw that in just so you didn't think they were all bad.

 

[reefnut]

Take a look at this one... just found it a couple nights ago no idea how it went so long unnoticed.

 

[keonia]

Originally Posted by theishkid
Yea those weren't my brighter days... about as dumb as actually paying for xenia. I've made quite a few mistakes since I began this hobby...
Okay.. Um... whats wrong with paying for this soft coral xenia?
I actually bought some frags and found a aiptasia -- ended up taking coral with aip on it out, with tank water in a container, using a knife dug out the coral and threw the small 1" rock with aip-- away.
I was told that if I dug him out, it would multiply !

 

[computrgk]

well if your not in a reef you could throw a butterfly fish in to control them infact it should eleminate them completely