Useful tips

How does Aiptasia get in tank?

How does Aiptasia get in tank?

How does Aiptasia get into my reef tank? Aiptasia, like many other pests, hitchhikes into your tank on live rock and sometimes coral. You want to be careful when introducing new live rock and other reef pieces to your tank so should be inspecting each one carefully and thoroughly.

Is Aiptasia bad for a fish tank?

Aiptasia anemones are a very BAD critter to have in ANY saltwater tank. Almost every hobbyist will encounter them no matter how diligent in quarantining new additions due to the fact they often times arrive as tiny babies hiding in rock crevices, under coral flesh where we can’t see them etc.

How do I get rid of Aiptasia in my reef tank?

The single best way to quickly remove Aiptasia from your aquarium is to head to your local fish store and buy a peppermint shrimp. These little shrimps have a HUGE appetite for Aiptasia and are considered reef safe if you buy the right species.

Will Aiptasia kill coral?

Given the right environment, I’ve seen aiptasia reach up to 4 inches long and 21/2 inches wide. They are equipped with one of the most powerful stings (delivered by structures called nematocysts), which they use to kill other corals (they can kill clams, too) and take over real estate.

What do Aiptasias do in a fish tank?

Aiptasia are hardy anemones that typically enter your aquarium as a hitchhiker on live rock or coral fragments. They are prolific and have a nasty sting which poses a threat to all the animals inside your tank.

What to do about Aiptasia sea anemones in aquarium?

Aiptasia sea anemones can overpopulate your reef tank after they sprout out of live rock. Simply pulling them out only leads to a population explosion as each piece can grow another anemone. The solutions to remove them include chemical methods, introducing predators, and osmotic shock. Learn the pros and cons of these solutions.

What kind of reproduction does the Aiptasia have?

Aiptasia reproduce rapidly and have the ability to do so both sexually and asexually. The asexual reproduction is referred to as pedal laceration. During pedal laceration, tiny basal cells break off the Aiptasia to colonize elsewhere in the tank – on reef rock, substrate, aquarium walls, even on equipment.

Which is the safest way to control Aiptasia?

The safest chemical option of Aiptasia control is through the use of an aquarium-safe calcium hydroxide solution (Kalkwasser) injected into the Aiptasia polyp via a hypodermic needle or pasted onto the mouth of the anemone.