Mystery Anemone

[mb75]

Here is a picture (resolution is horrible, I used my celly) of an anemone growing on one of my pieces of rock. I don't think it is an Aiptasia, as I have had it in my tank for about one year now.

It has been growing in size, and is about the size of a quarter. The tentacles have stripes on them, are thick at the base, and narrow into points at the end. The main color is purple, and the stripes are greyish.

Could someone id for me please?

 

[alpha0r]

That is a big Aiptasia. No doubt about it.

 

[nichols]

Aiptasia would get my vote also. They'll get pretty large if left alone. I've always used kalk paste to kill them with good sucess.

 

[alpha0r]

I would go with kalk paste for this one too. You won't find much that will eat one that big.

 

[S Hunter]

it's a bad thing...

 

[deuceb]

sweet

kalk pasteor joes juice all available at ur local lfs . turn of any power heads or anything else that creates flow can harm corals or wanted anenomes

 

[mb75]

Thanks for the ID. I had always thought that Aiptasia had a more "traditional" anemone look, were brownish in color, and multiplied vigorously.

 

[JayM]

They vary from brown to translucent....and every one is a pest.

If it's any consolation, the tanks at the aquarium @ the Atlantis resort on Grand Bahamas also had them

 

[jbishop]

Shoot him with Joes Juice. Works awesome.

 

[Mrs. Delta]

I agree with the others, get rid of it. You don't want those spreading in the tank.

 

[mb75]

Aight, I've been looking around at using Kalk for taking care of Aiptasia.

The best way I can think of doing this is using a syringe, and I can't seem to find one (need a script).

Any suggestions?

 

[jgiannini]

I've had good luck with just lemon juice. Also, depending on the local pharmacist, you may be able to get a syringe from them, but be prepared to tell them why you need it. Also, maybe your local vet will give you one. I lucked out since my wife takes injections and she gave me one of her spent syringes.

Jason

 

[alpha0r]

Aight, I've been looking around at using Kalk for taking care of Aiptasia.

The best way I can think of doing this is using a syringe, and I can't seem to find one (need a script).

Any suggestions?

Every pharmacy has them and you don't need to tell them why you want it. You just have to show an ID and sign your name in a book. You can also get ones that don't have needles on them.

I have also found that if you mix in meaty food with the kalk paste the pest is more likely to stay open. It thinks the stuff is food and tries to eat it. Surprise!

 

[mb75]

Thanks for all the info guys. I was able to get a syringe, and I ended up using the lemon juice method.

We'll see how things go the next couple of days.

 

[dedfish]

I just used a syringe from an old salifert test kit. Mix up a little kalk paste and just smother the thing in paste. I haven't had to actually 'inject' them, just a good healthy smothering has worked great. The syringe is more to keep it contained while trying to get it to the mark.