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View Full Version : Aiptasia?


akopley
11/28/2006, 12:50 AM
I thought there was aiptasia in my sump and i went to grab it and it retracted before i even touced it. It was clear and had tentacles and was about 2 inches long...when it retracted i couldnt even see it anymore. IS this aiptasia?

drummereef
11/28/2006, 12:51 AM
Got a pic of it? Hard to tell without one.

akopley
11/28/2006, 01:07 AM
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n215/akopley/100_1659.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>


this is in the tank and a little smaller but the same thing.

aquarius77
11/28/2006, 01:14 AM
Lookin like it could be to me?

SuperNerd
11/28/2006, 01:16 AM
Ahh yes. One of the rare anemones in the hobby that doesn't cost anything...

Looks like aiptasia to me too, unfortunately.
Kalk paste it if you are totally sure.

akopley
11/28/2006, 01:26 AM
so that thing is bad?

SuperNerd
11/28/2006, 01:27 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8633510#post8633510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by akopley
so that thing is bad?

Bad if you don't control it and if it truly is aiptasia. They can overgrow a whole tank if you aren't careful. I know...:mad: :lmao:

Vitaly
11/28/2006, 01:49 AM
That is most likely Aiptasia. I only say "most likely" because it is not totally in view. Here is a pic from my tank

http://www-u.life.uiuc.edu/~stepensk/album/Marine-November-2006/26.jpg

It is normal for them to retract. I have cleared them from my tank by injecting lemon juice (store bought). Each time that I go in with my syringe, they will always retract.

To answer your question about them "being bad." Well they are filtering your water, so that is good. The problem with Aiptasia (aka glass anemone) is that they will reproduce rapidly and spread throughout your tank (display, sump, refugium, etc). Moreover, they are aggressive and will sting neighboring corals...which is bad. That is why most people get rid of them as soon as they emerge. In fact, that amphipod that is in the above picture (I think it is just the molted shell) was completely consumed by the Aiptasia shortly after the picture was taken. You can open this link to see an after picture if you are curious. https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/stepensk/shared/Shrimp3.JPG

My advice is to eliminate it before it spreads in your tank. It is pretty and looks harmless, but will be problematic once established in your system.

Good luck...

SuperNerd
11/28/2006, 01:54 AM
Are you sure that isn't its exoskeleton?

Vitaly
11/28/2006, 01:58 AM
<B>SuperNerd</B>,

I do mention that in the post, that it may be a "molted shell." There is not way to be sure as it has been devoured. They (pods) move around pretty quick so I doubt that a live one was caught. So, yes I agree with your suspicion.

SuperNerd
11/28/2006, 02:07 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8633603#post8633603 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Vitaly
<B>SuperNerd</B>,

I do mention that in the post, that it may be a "molted shell."

Doh!! :lmao: I think I missed that. :)