Killing one Aiptasia

EDJFA · 10/27/2011, 02:44 PM

I picked up a Xenia from my LFS a couple of weeks ago that was attached to some LR. I didn't look super close at the rock, just the coral, so I didn't notice the critters that had also taken up residence in this one rock. Within a 1" space in the middle of this rock is the Xenia, a brittle star, and the aiptasia. Also found out that there was a clam attached to the bottom of the rock. I thought it was dead until I saw it close up when I turned the lights on.

What would be some good options for killing this one aiptasia? I've thought about super gluing the hole he's in, but I think his hole and the hole the starfish is in might be connected.

Any other thoughts?

thegrun · 10/27/2011, 02:47 PM

Gouge it out with a chisel with the rock in a 5 gallon bucket of water (to prevent the pieces of aiptasia floating off and attaching to other pieces of rock).

jose521 · 10/27/2011, 02:53 PM

If you have a peppermint shrimp it should eat

horwitzs · 10/27/2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jose521

If you have a peppermint shrimp it should eat

Should, but they don't always.

Just pick up some Joe's Juice and give it an injection.

EDJFA · 10/27/2011, 04:25 PM

I could try the peppermint shrimp. I think the LFS has some. I have an emerald crab because I had a couple of pieces of bubble algae. He devoured that. Maybe I'll have the same luck with the shrimp.

I thought about the Joe's Juice, but I didn't really want to spend the money on a bottle of that stuff for one anemone. Will that stuff hurt the Xenia that's 3/4" away?

Zappo · 10/27/2011, 04:47 PM

With just one pest, you can probably use a flathead screwdriver to remove it, as thegrun suggested. As long as you take a little of the rock with it to get all of the foot, that should take care of it without the need for chemicals or additional livestock. Peppermint shrimp and thieving little bastards and can cause more trouble than they're worth if you have any corals that you feed.

EDJFA · 10/27/2011, 06:21 PM

If I could see where his foot was attached to the rock, that might be a more viable option. I'm afraid I'd have to crack the rock in half, then remove him. I run the risk of also removing the coral from the rock as the fissure in the rock runs right next to it.

I guess Joe's Juice or something like it is the answers.

briankmarsh1980 · 10/27/2011, 06:25 PM

I squirt them with a small syringe of boiling water works everytime

10/27/2011, 02:44 PM	#1
EDJFA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,025	Killing one Aiptasia I picked up a Xenia from my LFS a couple of weeks ago that was attached to some LR. I didn't look super close at the rock, just the coral, so I didn't notice the critters that had also taken up residence in this one rock. Within a 1" space in the middle of this rock is the Xenia, a brittle star, and the aiptasia. Also found out that there was a clam attached to the bottom of the rock. I thought it was dead until I saw it close up when I turned the lights on. What would be some good options for killing this one aiptasia? I've thought about super gluing the hole he's in, but I think his hole and the hole the starfish is in might be connected. Any other thoughts?

10/27/2011, 02:53 PM	#3
jose521 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Pierce FL Posts: 69	If you have a peppermint shrimp it should eat __________________ Jose Current Tank Info: 40 Gal Breeder with 30 Gal sump

10/27/2011, 06:25 PM	#8
briankmarsh1980 I'm a member of **!!!!!! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maricopa, Arizona Posts: 2,127	I squirt them with a small syringe of boiling water works everytime __________________ My skim don't stink _______________________________________________________________ 210 gallons with stuff!!!!!!!

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10/27/2011, 02:47 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Gouge it out with a chisel with the rock in a 5 gallon bucket of water (to prevent the pieces of aiptasia floating off and attaching to other pieces of rock).

10/27/2011, 04:25 PM	#5
EDJFA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,025	I could try the peppermint shrimp. I think the LFS has some. I have an emerald crab because I had a couple of pieces of bubble algae. He devoured that. Maybe I'll have the same luck with the shrimp. I thought about the Joe's Juice, but I didn't really want to spend the money on a bottle of that stuff for one anemone. Will that stuff hurt the Xenia that's 3/4" away?

10/27/2011, 04:47 PM	#6
Zappo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnetonka, MN Posts: 582	With just one pest, you can probably use a flathead screwdriver to remove it, as thegrun suggested. As long as you take a little of the rock with it to get all of the foot, that should take care of it without the need for chemicals or additional livestock. Peppermint shrimp and thieving little bastards and can cause more trouble than they're worth if you have any corals that you feed.

10/27/2011, 06:21 PM	#7
EDJFA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,025	If I could see where his foot was attached to the rock, that might be a more viable option. I'm afraid I'd have to crack the rock in half, then remove him. I run the risk of also removing the coral from the rock as the fissure in the rock runs right next to it. I guess Joe's Juice or something like it is the answers.