Green Star Polyps and Aiptasia Anemones

SirCharles77 · 01/26/2008, 03:00 PM

I have a couple questions.

I bought a multi-coral rock from my LFS. It has some brown zoa, another small zoa with a green and purple center, and 2 large patches of green star polyps.

One of the patches of stars was loose from teh rock by the time I got it home from the store. I was affraid of this but the LFS told me that it would re-attach itself. Its been a week since I got it and now it is pretty much all the way off. Again my LFS told me to just use a toothpick to pin it back down and it would be fine. Does this sound ok to you?

Also, if it will re-attach itself, how long will it take?

Then I also noticed something on there that I couldnt recognize. Last night I was looking around on line and stumbled across a picture of Aiptasia Anemone and I am pretty sure thats what it is. Kinda ****es me off that the LFS sold me this rock with that on there considering I was very clear that I wanted something to learn on. But thats beside the point. What would you recommend as far as steps to get rid of it. I only see one so far but didnt inspect the back side of the rock before I put it in. So there could be more but I doubt it.

polwick · 01/26/2008, 03:26 PM

Hi,
I would beware of both the green star polyp and the aiptasia. GSPs grow so quickly that they are almost like weeds. If it's off the rock, good! I would either not put it in the tank or put it in a place where it can't spread easily and can be pruned back frequently.

As far as the aiptasia, there are a lot of treatment options once they get in your tank, but you could save yourself some trouble by nipping it in the bud. I don't know if this would work, but you could take the rock out of the water and try scrubbing that area with a wire brush or something.

Good luck!

SirCharles77 · 01/26/2008, 04:51 PM

Well I just started this tank so I would like to let the GSP's to grow for a bit. How long would you expect it to take for they to grab back hold of the rocks?

SirCharles77 · 01/26/2008, 05:43 PM

Ok, here are some images of the rock I got. The first is an images of the whole rock the day I put it in the tank. As you can see its all closed up. You cant really tell in these images but the GSP on the right section is not attached. It actually completely fell off today and I have reloaced it onto different rocks in my tank.

The next 2 are images of it after about 3-4 days.

You cant really see it in these images but just below the GSP on the right and straight above that red piece on the bottom of the 2nd image is where the Aiptasia is located. Its been in there for a week now and I am affraid it may have already reproduced and is growing on another rock. Is that possible for it to move that fast?

And from all you experts who have been doing this a while, how much would you expect to pay for this rock in a LFS? Its about 6-7" in diamater.

phenom5 · 01/26/2008, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Is that possible for it to move that fast?

Yes. Aiptasia spreads quickly. I would get some Joe's Juice to kill the aiptasia, be careful though, Joe's Juice can damage your corals as well. IME, I'd get 3 or 4 peppermint shrimp as well. Joe's Juice works well, but I never could rid my tank using Joe's Juice alone. Added some peppermints, and I was aiptasia free in a week.

SirCharles77 · 01/26/2008, 10:17 PM

Anyone got an idea how much you would expect to pay for something like this at a LFS?

And how long will it take for the GSP to re-attach?

bigworm616 · 01/26/2008, 11:23 PM

the only problem with putting peppermint shrimp in your tank is they are in there to stay. If its not an organism you want in your tank try looking for some aiptasia eating nudibranchs. they will eat the aiptasia for sure, which is another problem with peppermints, they dont always work. Also, you could try to use hot water or lemon juice in the center of the aiptasia to kill it. They are tricky and i would suggest taking care of it sooner than later, since they do spread quickly.

SirCharles77 · 01/26/2008, 11:39 PM

is there a reason why I wouldnt want a peppermint shrimp or nudibranch in there?

phenom5 · 01/26/2008, 11:47 PM

Well, one thing with the nudis, if they die they release toxins (speaking in generalities here, not sure about the specific species in question) that can bring down a tank. So, if you go the nudi route, make sure you have somewhere for it to go once the aiptasia is gone. I know with velvet (I think) nudis, which eat flatworms, they are a very specialized predator, and will only eat flatworms.

No such problem with peppermints, but as bigworm noted, they may or may not eat the aiptasia. FWIW, IME, the peppermints from Dr F&S have a healthy appetite for aiptasia.

freedominco · 01/27/2008, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SirCharles77
Anyone got an idea how much you would expect to pay for something like this at a LFS?

how much did it weigh?

SirCharles77 · 01/27/2008, 01:55 AM

not sure. Not much. They didnt have a weight on it but I am guessing less than a pound. It isnt very thick. maybe an 1" at the thickest.

SirCharles77 · 01/27/2008, 01:57 AM

FWIW IME? What does that mean?

atf72 · 01/27/2008, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SirCharles77
FWIW IME? What does that mean?

For What It's Worth

In My Experience

Shekki · 01/27/2008, 02:51 AM

I just used Joe's Juice for the first time in two of my tanks and it works great. If all the Aiptasia is one one rock, quarantine it and use Joe's juice. Peppermints will do the job as well, although I've never had a peppermint live longer than 2 months in my tanks. $7 for a peppermint and $12 for Joe's Juice.

Colin · 01/27/2008, 07:00 AM

If it's just one aiptasia, use a turkey baster to blast it with boiling water.

Don't worry about the green star polyps. Put them on the sand if you like, or just rubberband them to a rock. They really don't need to be attached.

--Colin

zotzer · 01/27/2008, 08:54 AM

Since it is a multi-species rock, you may want to be sure that it is really an aiptasia and not a yellow/sun polyp. Is there any color in the center of it? When closed up, does it look like a polyp, or does it just vanish back into the rock?

Tracy

SirCharles77 · 01/27/2008, 01:09 PM

Yeah I have looked close at it. Its for sure aiptasia.

freedominco · 01/28/2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SirCharles77
not sure. Not much. They didnt have a weight on it but I am guessing less than a pound. It isnt very thick. maybe an 1" at the thickest.

At the LFS here live rock is 5 dollars a pound and live rock with lots of stuff growing on it seems to be around 10 dollars a pound.

SirCharles77 · 02/01/2008, 08:52 PM

Wow, cured Live Rock around here is at cheapest 7.99 a lb. Some places it is 8.99. $5 woiuld be nice. I got all mine through someone on crags list selling their tank. SO I got lucky getting it cheap.

01/26/2008, 03:00 PM	#1
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	Green Star Polyps and Aiptasia Anemones I have a couple questions. I bought a multi-coral rock from my LFS. It has some brown zoa, another small zoa with a green and purple center, and 2 large patches of green star polyps. One of the patches of stars was loose from teh rock by the time I got it home from the store. I was affraid of this but the LFS told me that it would re-attach itself. Its been a week since I got it and now it is pretty much all the way off. Again my LFS told me to just use a toothpick to pin it back down and it would be fine. Does this sound ok to you? Also, if it will re-attach itself, how long will it take? Then I also noticed something on there that I couldnt recognize. Last night I was looking around on line and stumbled across a picture of Aiptasia Anemone and I am pretty sure thats what it is. Kinda ****es me off that the LFS sold me this rock with that on there considering I was very clear that I wanted something to learn on. But thats beside the point. What would you recommend as far as steps to get rid of it. I only see one so far but didnt inspect the back side of the rock before I put it in. So there could be more but I doubt it. __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

01/26/2008, 04:51 PM	#3
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	Well I just started this tank so I would like to let the GSP's to grow for a bit. How long would you expect it to take for they to grab back hold of the rocks? __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

01/26/2008, 05:43 PM	#4
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	Ok, here are some images of the rock I got. The first is an images of the whole rock the day I put it in the tank. As you can see its all closed up. You cant really tell in these images but the GSP on the right section is not attached. It actually completely fell off today and I have reloaced it onto different rocks in my tank. The next 2 are images of it after about 3-4 days. You cant really see it in these images but just below the GSP on the right and straight above that red piece on the bottom of the 2nd image is where the Aiptasia is located. Its been in there for a week now and I am affraid it may have already reproduced and is growing on another rock. Is that possible for it to move that fast? And from all you experts who have been doing this a while, how much would you expect to pay for this rock in a LFS? Its about 6-7" in diamater. __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

01/26/2008, 10:17 PM	#6
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	Anyone got an idea how much you would expect to pay for something like this at a LFS? And how long will it take for the GSP to re-attach? __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

01/26/2008, 11:39 PM	#8
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	is there a reason why I wouldnt want a peppermint shrimp or nudibranch in there? __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

01/26/2008, 03:26 PM	#2
polwick Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 165	Hi, I would beware of both the green star polyp and the aiptasia. GSPs grow so quickly that they are almost like weeds. If it's off the rock, good! I would either not put it in the tank or put it in a place where it can't spread easily and can be pruned back frequently. As far as the aiptasia, there are a lot of treatment options once they get in your tank, but you could save yourself some trouble by nipping it in the bud. I don't know if this would work, but you could take the rock out of the water and try scrubbing that area with a wire brush or something. Good luck!

01/26/2008, 11:23 PM	#7
bigworm616 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Naperville IL. Posts: 286	the only problem with putting peppermint shrimp in your tank is they are in there to stay. If its not an organism you want in your tank try looking for some aiptasia eating nudibranchs. they will eat the aiptasia for sure, which is another problem with peppermints, they dont always work. Also, you could try to use hot water or lemon juice in the center of the aiptasia to kill it. They are tricky and i would suggest taking care of it sooner than later, since they do spread quickly.

01/26/2008, 11:47 PM	#9
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	Well, one thing with the nudis, if they die they release toxins (speaking in generalities here, not sure about the specific species in question) that can bring down a tank. So, if you go the nudi route, make sure you have somewhere for it to go once the aiptasia is gone. I know with velvet (I think) nudis, which eat flatworms, they are a very specialized predator, and will only eat flatworms. No such problem with peppermints, but as bigworm noted, they may or may not eat the aiptasia. FWIW, IME, the peppermints from Dr F&S have a healthy appetite for aiptasia. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

01/27/2008, 01:55 AM	#11
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	not sure. Not much. They didnt have a weight on it but I am guessing less than a pound. It isnt very thick. maybe an 1" at the thickest. __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

01/27/2008, 01:57 AM	#12
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	FWIW IME? What does that mean? __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

01/27/2008, 02:51 AM	#14
Shekki Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 651	I just used Joe's Juice for the first time in two of my tanks and it works great. If all the Aiptasia is one one rock, quarantine it and use Joe's juice. Peppermints will do the job as well, although I've never had a peppermint live longer than 2 months in my tanks. $7 for a peppermint and $12 for Joe's Juice. __________________ Elos mini reef Current Tank Info: Elos mini, reefkeeper 2, Vortech MP20, ice cap moonlight, Reef Fanatic ATO

01/27/2008, 07:00 AM	#15
Colin Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 848	If it's just one aiptasia, use a turkey baster to blast it with boiling water. Don't worry about the green star polyps. Put them on the sand if you like, or just rubberband them to a rock. They really don't need to be attached. --Colin

01/27/2008, 08:54 AM	#16
zotzer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 346	Since it is a multi-species rock, you may want to be sure that it is really an aiptasia and not a yellow/sun polyp. Is there any color in the center of it? When closed up, does it look like a polyp, or does it just vanish back into the rock? Tracy

01/27/2008, 01:09 PM	#17
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	Yeah I have looked close at it. Its for sure aiptasia. __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps

02/01/2008, 08:52 PM	#19
SirCharles77 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 161	Wow, cured Live Rock around here is at cheapest 7.99 a lb. Some places it is 8.99. $5 woiuld be nice. I got all mine through someone on crags list selling their tank. SO I got lucky getting it cheap. __________________ Charles R. Current Tank Info: 105g display with 31g in sump, 9 snails, 4 Nassarius snails, 9 hermits, sand sifting star (5" dia),peppermint shrimp,blood red fire shrimp,Sailfin Tang, 2 Green Chromis,Bangaii Cardinalfish,True Perc Clown, Brown Zoa Polyps and Green Star Polyps