Stranger in my tank! HELP ME IDENTIFY!

[Ksologistt]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3179062430_299a5de633.jpg?v=0
I found this anemone (?) in my tank today. My tank is about 4 days old and I hadn't seen this guy until about an hour ago.
I've looked in various places but can't seem to identify it.
I'd like to know if I have to feed it, etc. because it really is beautiful (and quite cute and small). It came in my live rock.

A little tank history:
I bought my tank 4 days ago, filled it 3 days ago with tap water, deconditioned with stress coat +, and mixed with Instant Ocean (1/2 cup per 1 gallon). My tank is a 29gal and is brand spanking new but the water seems to be healthy (at least thats what my LFS told me after testing). They said I had completed a full cycle already, which I find hard to believe.

What is this cute creature and how do I keep it alive and happy?

[Ksologistt]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3179062430_299a5de633.jpg?v=0

[BradsOcean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105032#post14105032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ksologistt
it really is beautiful (and quite cute and small).

Oh God, in 2 months, you'll regret saying that. This is Aiptasia. They are PEST anemone's. they grow rapidly and cover your tank. You need to go the the LFS and buy something that will kill it. Kill them before they expand!

[BradsOcean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105032#post14105032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ksologistt
They said I had completed a full cycle already

That's BS! There is no way! Tanks will usually take 4-6 weeks to cycle...don't trust them

[raen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105032#post14105032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ksologistt
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/3179062430_299a5de633.jpg?v=0
I found this anemone (?) in my tank today. My tank is about 4 days old and I hadn't seen this guy until about an hour ago.
I've looked in various places but can't seem to identify it.
I'd like to know if I have to feed it, etc. because it really is beautiful (and quite cute and small). It came in my live rock.

A little tank history:
I bought my tank 4 days ago, filled it 3 days ago with tap water, deconditioned with stress coat +, and mixed with Instant Ocean (1/2 cup per 1 gallon). My tank is a 29gal and is brand spanking new but the water seems to be healthy (at least thats what my LFS told me after testing). They said I had completed a full cycle already, which I find hard to believe.

What is this cute creature and how do I keep it alive and happy?

Babe I love you! They are cute, but.....boy OH boy, they will take over your tank! When your tank is ready, get a peppermint shrimp, he will help out!

[BradsOcean]

btw,

[welcome]

[raen]

PS [welcome]

[raen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105085#post14105085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BradsOcean
btw,

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

GREAT minds!

[BradsOcean]

Yes ma'am!

[Paul_PSU]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105032#post14105032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ksologistt

What is this cute creature and how do I keep it alive and happy?

You don't. Kill it. It's an aptasia. It will take over your tank if you don't get them early.

[shuguley]

Yup, it's aiptasia... bad stuff, kill it now. They spread like wild fire, don't pull it out, because it will break up an spread, go buy something at the store that will kill it and follow the directions. I think aiptasia-x is probably a pretty good product.

Also, you shouldn't use tap water in your tank. Tap water will feed nuisance algae among other things. At a minimum you should use RO or distilled water, preferrably you should use RODI water.

[BradsOcean]

and make sure you kill it the right way. Go to the LFS and ask them what they sell that will kill it. Don't just go in there w/ a razorblade and try to kill it yourself, you'll just end up spreading them

[BradsOcean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105121#post14105121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by shuguley
Yup, it's aiptasia... bad stuff, kill it now. They spread like wild fire, don't pull it out, because it will break up an spread, go buy something at the store that will kill it and follow the directions. I think aiptasia-x is probably a pretty good product.

Also, you shouldn't use tap water in your tank. Tap water will feed nuisance algae among other things. At a minimum you should use RO or distilled water, preferrably you should use RODI water.

OMG, GREAT minds! again!

[btb72]

ya its aiptasia, and if you don't get it under control it will cover your whole tank, and I mean your WHOLE tank. Every nook and cranny that is there. I my tank got over ran with them adn on the third copperbanded butterfly they haven't come back and its been about 2 1/2 years aiptasia free!!!

[Ksologistt]

Wow, really glad I asked you guys about this. I will make sure to get rid of it as quickly as possible. Thank you all. Should I kill it by simply pulling it out, should I get some sort of chemical or something, or should I go with the peppermint shrimp? Is there any creature that will actually kill it for me if I put it in the tank?

[BradsOcean]

yes, a peppermint shrimp should do the trick. Mine cleaned out my whole tank in 2 weeks. DON"T JUST PULL IT OUT!!! you will spread them more if you do that! They sell stuff at the fish store then you spread over them, and it kills them!

[raen]

white vinager, or lemon juice in a syringe directly into the mouth of the aptasia will do it. No need for expensive products, although, those are all good products, you can do it without spending tons of money. JUST GET RID OF THEM!!!!!!

[BradsOcean]

PS, don't add a peppermint shrimp until the tank is FULLY CYCLED! and its not yet, don't listen to them if they told you that! its impossible for a new tank to cycle in 4 days...

[Ksologistt]

http://www.northcoastmarines.com/aptasia.htm
I found this remedy. Should I go for it? Damn I was fooled.

[raen]

Save your money. Get the Peppermint shrimp if the home remedies do not work. Check out the sticky at the top of the thread to get more ideas.

[BradsOcean]

Any of the "remedies" out on the market will work. But like Raen said, you don't have to spend the money. If you don't mind spending a little, I would suggest one of the products specifically designed to kill aptasia

[raen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105166#post14105166 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BradsOcean
PS, don't add a peppermint shrimp until the tank is FULLY CYCLED! and its not yet, don't listen to them if they told you that! its impossible for a new tank to cycle in 4 days...

+1+1+1+1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No matter how badly you want the tank to cycle, you must wait it out. TRUST ME, learn from our mistakes!

[BradsOcean]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105200#post14105200 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by raen
+1+1+1+1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No matter how badly you want the tank to cycle, you must wait it out. TRUST ME, learn from our mistakes!

+1+1+1...seriously, let nature take its course. There is no point in rushing. I remember coming on RC when my first tank was cycling. I was told to be patient. I didn't listen, the second my tank was cycled (according to the lfs) i added shrimp, corals, fish, 3 days later, EVERYTHING dead...if there's one thing you learn, learn to be patient with your tank!!!

[Ksologistt]

Yes, I was planning on waiting at LEAST another 4 weeks before adding any sort of fish because I didn't buy it one bit. I think I'm going to spend the small $4 on a remedy to kill it as I don't want to add anything to my non-cycled tank. Tricky little buggers. I'll try lemon juice first.

[Ksologistt]

Should I turn off the filter on my tank before injecting the lemon juice? Should I put the juice IN the aptasia or in front of it? Will the lemon juice harm any of my feather dusters or the water in my tank? How should I do this?

[Ksologistt]

I used an eye dropper and attempted to squirt it with lemon juice. It was somewhat successful but the little devil drew back into the rock. I'm not sure if it worked or not and now there are little lemon fibers drifting around my tank. These won't do any real harm, will they?

[singold]

You can also try Joe's Juice or Aiptasia Control by Blue Life. Usually sold at LFS. For long term control as mentioned above after your tank is safely cycled you can try:
The Peppermint Shrimp:
http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l349/singold/PeppermintShrimp512.jpg

[BradsOcean]

I've had really good success with the Aiptasia control by Blue Life...if you only have a few, use that to kill them. If somehow they keep popping up (which happened in my case too), i'd get a peppermint shrimp.

[bubblybumpkin]

+1 Aptasia

[misiek]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14105252#post14105252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ksologistt
Should I turn off the filter on my tank before injecting the lemon juice? Should I put the juice IN the aptasia or in front of it? Will the lemon juice harm any of my feather dusters or the water in my tank? How should I do this?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6o0LPeONbE&feature=related

...Good Luck...