What in tarnations is that?

[steelhealr]

Hi...saw this clinging to the chaeto in my back chamber refugium during some tank maintenance tonite. Any guesses? SH

 

[Mr Miagi]

Looks like its from Phylum Cnidarian to me, Class Anthozoan. But i wouldnt know the species or genus name, sorry.

 

[chkltcow]

Some type of anemone.... most likely aiptasia.

 

[steelhealr]

Chkltcow...agree now that I am looking at it...it is single and in the fuge. Must have come in as a hitchhiker on the chaeto...it's getting plucked tonite. SH

 

[chkltcow]

I'd advise against plucking. If you have some kalkwasser, mix some up in water and leave it very chalky and milky. Inject it right on the mouth of the aiptasia, and it will wilt away and dissolve. If you pluck it and any bits of the flesh get suspended in the water column and washed to god only knows where in your tank, you now have an outbreak.

Then again, you have a peppermint shrimp, right? If aiptasia spreads through the tank, he'll eat the little pieces... they're delicious He just can't quite handle one as big as that one pictured.

 

[steelhealr]

The pic is magnified..it's only about a 1 cm if that big. I think it will be easier to lift the whole chaeto mass out of the fuge and cut out the chaeto area without touching the aiptasia. SH

 

[Navarre]

Dont pluck it SH, "if you strike it down it wil only become more powerful" (I know i shouldnt have been watching so much starwars recently ).

Kalk, Joes Juice or peppermint shrimps. Kalk or Joes juice needs to be done carefully in your tank or it can badly effect PH readings. if you have many of them then i suggest 1 or 2 ever coupleo f days to be zapped to keep water conditions stable. if you prefer the natural approach then get a couple of peppermints. they are harmles and will handle your aptasia nicely.

"if" the aptasia is not attached to th eglass and can be collected on some algae or something then yes you can remove it and get rid.

 

[steelhealr]

Thanks Navarre..it was 'free' as of last night..ie..clinging to the chaeto. I think I can just cut off some chaeto and toss it out. Hopefully it didn't fix to the wall by now...will find out when I get home from work. If it is fixed, I can stop the pumps since it is in the fuge area, treat there and then suction out the water. SH