ID Please

[jocoxvt]

So I have just started cycling my tank like 4 days ago and when I first put my live rock in I saw this. Now over the past few days it has grown and moved almost clear across the tank. Can someone please ID it for me. The person at the LFS said that I may want to remove it becasue she didnt know what it was but thought it was dead. Low and Behold not even close. Any help would be great and truley appreciated.

 

[greatfullreefer]

Aiptasia, pest anenomie, IMO remove them.

 

[jocoxvt]

Thanks for the quick reply. Out of curisoity any reason why to remove them.

 

[bigarn]

They have been known to over run tanks and kill corals.

 

[jocoxvt]

Well thats a great reason to get rid of him.

Like I said when I talked to the LFS she said I should take a screw driver and pluck him off. Is this the best way of getting rid of him?

 

[greatfullreefer]

NO, they will spread if you tear or damage them. Use liquid calcium and inject it into their center, they will shrivel up and die.

 

[bigarn]

Originally posted by jocoxVT
Well thats a great reason to get rid of him.

Like I said when I talked to the LFS she said I should take a screw driver and pluck him off. Is this the best way of getting rid of him?
NO...If you don't get the whole thing pieces will spread and you'll end up with more. Peppermint shrimp are known to eat them.or you can try a product called Joes Juice. Many people say it works well. Some people inject them with boiling water using a syringe and have had good results also.

 

[jocoxvt]

Like I previoulsy said I just started cycling my tank a few days ago so correct me if I am wrong but the peppermint shrimp idea is a no go. Therefore should I go ahead and try one of the other solutions now or should I just let my tank cycle and then first thing I add would be a peppermint shrimp to take him out? Also is there any chance of him dying off on his own since I am currently cycling?

 

[bigarn]

Sorry..I forgot you're cycleing. No pep shrimp now. Go with the other suggestions. I doubt they will die from cycleing, they're very hardy!

 

[ryand]

after the cycle add a pepperment shrimp but untell then they should be fine because they have nothing to ruin

 

[sharkbite]

I have had good luck with both the liquid stuff to kill aptasia and I now have 2 pepermint shimp that took care of all what I had in a week. They are funny to watch than the liquid medicine.

 

[spline9]

You can also make a paste out of some kalkwasser and basically feed the anemone a small blob of it. The aptasia will almost immediately melt after taking it in. I also heard injecting with concentrated lemon juice works, too.

 

[unknown]

Here is waht I would say to do.
First
Do not kill them. They keep water VERY clean and since there is nothing in there for them to bother or harm they will only make your tank water clear.
When the tank has fully cycled and two fish Nothing real expensive cause there is a chance they will die.
If both fish live for 2-3 weeks then check level and alk if they all check out add 1-2 pepp. shrimp. They will eat it faster then you can find it.
This way you have sparkeling clear water and no apisita!
I did that and worked really nice.
I went out and found peices of LR with the most Apisitia I could find stuck them in there and let them clean followed the rest of the steps tank has been up for 2 years now still looks great and have no apisitia.
Hope This Helps
Vince.