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APTASIA!!! HELP!!!

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dbb123 View Drop Down
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    Posted: June 16 2014 at 8:22pm
So i just noticed that I have quite a bit of Aptasia in my tank.  I dont know how long it has been there, or where it came from, but I have now spotted at least 5-6 of these little critters.  So what do i do now?  How do i get rid of this stuff.  I dont see that it is causing any issue at this point, but i understand that it is bad news, and I want to take care of it asap!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Savage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2014 at 9:17pm
Peppermint shrimp worked for me. They also ate the skirts off of one of my zoanthid colonies. Fortunately they were cheap zoas and the skirts grew back.

Edited by Mike Savage - June 16 2014 at 9:17pm


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 1stupidpunk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 16 2014 at 9:37pm
Peppermints work well for taking care of them but i have also used Aiptasia-X with great results... whatever you decide to try dont attempt to manually remove the aiptasia because if you tear even the smallest piece will clone more.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dbb123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 17 2014 at 2:58pm
I have heard that it spreads really easily.  thanks for the advice, I will pick up some peppermint shrimp.  does anybody have any for sale?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DLindquist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 17 2014 at 4:52pm
Peppermints can be hit or miss. I'm a fan of utilizing a think Kalk paste squirted directly over the entire aptasia. 
A government strong enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to take everything you have.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 17 2014 at 5:26pm
Kalkwasser paste works great. I have used many methods over the years. Peppermint shrimp do the job most of the time and are the least work for the hobbyist. Smile
Most LFS carry them, but call first. The list of LFS is over on the left under a blue button.

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P.S.
This pic from a local hobbyist years ago shows a "real" Aiptasia problem. Wink



Edited by Mark Peterson - June 17 2014 at 5:28pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dan9554880 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 17 2014 at 6:10pm
I herd of people using super glue to kill them.
Once I used lemon juice & it work
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wickedsnowman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 17 2014 at 9:33pm
I have used super glue. It worked great. However for that amount another method would probably be better.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dbb123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 21 2014 at 12:22am
well i just worry that i wont find all the polyps and they will still spread.  i think i will use a combo of both methods.  thanks for all the input everyone! im glad there is a team of specialists available to help me get it together with this crazy hobby!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dbb123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 21 2014 at 12:24am
Originally posted by Mike Savage Mike Savage wrote:

Peppermint shrimp worked for me. They also ate the skirts off of one of my zoanthid colonies. Fortunately they were cheap zoas and the skirts grew back.


is it common that peppermints eat zoa?  I have acquired like 6 colonies now (which i am so excited about) and I would hate for a relatively uncool shrimp to chomp away at my zoa
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bstuver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 21 2014 at 12:28am
I know they can eat zoas but I have two in my tank that I got when I had some aptasia and they have never touched any zoas. So it's like all things in this hobby it just depends on the individual you end up with.
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"wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas?   I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Savage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 21 2014 at 9:38am
I had three Peppermint shrimp and dozens of zoa colonies. They ate the skirts off of one of the colonies so I moved it to a different tank. After it healed I moved it back to the original tank and they ate the skirts again. They never touched another colony. Since then two of the Peppermint shrimp have died and the skirts grew back. The last remaining shrimp doesn't touch any of the zoas. I would say it is uncommon.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hydro phoenix Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 21 2014 at 1:08pm
Aptasia x is a sure fire way to go. There are other home remedies I'm sure, but I'm to lazy. No worries about if peppermints shrimp will eat them or other corals bc I just but the sure fire way to go. Just fyi, if you see 5-6, rest assured there are others somewhere in your tank that you can't see. You will be fighting this battle all your tanky life. My suggestion is at first zap those suckers with Aptasia x and then buy some pepe's (pepper mint shrimp) for the hidden ones.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dbb123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 22 2014 at 1:50am
what great advice thanks!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote akv123 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 17 2014 at 4:05am
Just wondering what you ended up doing? 

I used to buy camel shrimp but one day I read on a thread about a guy that just scoops a little water out of his tank, boils it, and uses a small tip syringe to squirt scalding water on it or in it. I tried it and it has worked wonderfully. twice!! Its not toxic, its not glue or anything crazy, and its instant. It is supposed to nuke anything in the tiny area and prevent any possible spreading. Just be smart and either remove the piece from the tank while doing it or make sure that there is nothing close by that is in direct contact, or it might get nuked too. I have to say that I hit one that was in a zoa cluster, I just got the zoas to close before I did it and they are still here and seem fine.... aptasia has not come back going on 2 months. 


Edited by akv123 - July 17 2014 at 4:08am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redleader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2014 at 7:53am
Have aptasia, there are 4 healthy pepperment shrimp in the tank, and they don't seem the least bit interested in eating the aptasia.

I have tried the salt water on a few pieces that I could remove and treat in a separate bucket, I'm down to 3 visible pieces, that I'm not comfortable treating with the boiling water method.

thanks for looking again
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 20 2014 at 8:57am
If Peppermint Shrimp aren't doing their job, they can be easily enticed to eat the Aiptasia. Here's how: http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=73104

Boiling the rock is never a good option, IMO. It destroys everything, even the bacteria within the LR itself, which then takes months to repopulate and decompose the microfauna that was boiled alive.

People that have been in this hobby for 10+ years know many tricks. If there is something you don't know or are having problems with, just ask here on the forum. An experienced hobbyist will have a good solution/answer. Smile

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