Aiptasia or not (please no!)

[dbaulch83]

Hey,
this guy appeared from a rock I’ve had for months. Really hoping it’s not the dreaded. Looks a little different to what I’d expect so hoping it’s a good guy. Have a GBTA and a tri colour elsewhere in the tank. Added a few pics under different light, hoping some are sharp enough.
thanks

 

[B’s Nano Reef]

Aiptasia

 

[Shibaken3]

^

 

[dbaulch83]

Aiptasia

Grunt. I’d remove the whole rock as it’s small but also a mushroom on there. Appreciate the quick response

 

[dmsc2fs]

Take the rock out and cover the entire spot with a thunderdome of superglue gel and put the rock back.

 

[LordofCinder]

aptaisia and bubble algae. Those are 2 of the worst pests. I would pull the rock asap and frag that mushroom if you really want it, but better to sacrifice the coral rather than let those 2 pests free in your tank.

But if the rock is in your tank for a month already, keep an eye on your tank and be ready to act if you see them spreading

 

[OrionN]

Bubble algae can be easyly manage with nutrient managment. Aiptasia with one of the fish, either file fish or Copper Banded Butterfly. This have always works well for me. CBB is a very delicate fish but such a joy to have in our tank.

 

[Mschmidt]

I've had good luck with peppermint shrimp eating it. Till my hawkfish ate the shrimp. Now aiptasia is my profile pic. Mine hasn't spread or done anything bad.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

aptaisia and bubble algae. Those are 2 of the worst pests. I would pull the rock asap and frag that mushroom if you really want it, but better to sacrifice the coral rather than let those 2 pests free in your tank.

But if the rock is in your tank for a month already, keep an eye on your tank and be ready to act if you see them spreading

Holy overkill. Reminds me of a post I saw once on the internet about how to get rid of ants.

Get an ant eater. How do you get rid of an ant eater? Get a honey badger. How do you get rid of the honey badger? Get an anaconda. How do you rid of the anaconda? Hell if I know.


Just glue down the aptaisia, manage your nutrients and get a peppermint shrimp. Problem solved.

 

[TheBear78]

If the rock is loose can you pull it out and break the piece off that has the Aiptasia on? If it's just one end it's easy and you'll know it's definitely gone.
I assume this is what @LordofCinder said when he mentioned fragging the mushroom.

 

[LordofCinder]

Holy overkill. Reminds me of a post I saw once on the internet about how to get rid of ants.

Get an ant eater. How do you get rid of an ant eater? Get a honey badger. How do you get rid of the honey badger? Get an anaconda. How do you rid of the anaconda? Hell if I know.


Just glue down the aptaisia, manage your nutrients and get a peppermint shrimp. Problem solved.

Once bitten twice shy...

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Once bitten twice shy...

The only way to be sure

 

[dbaulch83]

Call me crazy but I actually think the bubble algae is quite cute. Kept it localised on this rock since I’ve had it, nitrates at 20 and phosphate at .02. I’m happy with that, also happy with one aip but less confident I have control over that one. I like the super glue idea, tho I imagine there’s more of these hiding away elsewhere on the rock, waiting to pop up

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

tho I imagine there’s more of these hiding away elsewhere on the rock, waiting to pop up

This is where the peppermint shrimp comes in.

I believe there are two species though. Both are sold as peppermint shrimp and only one will partake in aiptasia. I could be mistaken on that.there are mixed results and opinions on this. But I have had incredible success with peppermint shrimp either eradicating or controlling aiptasia. Super gluing them is somewhat superfluous in my opinion. It feels good to be proactive so we do it.

To be honest I am pretty sure that emerald crabs handle bubble algae. I know I've always kept them and have seen them eat it when I would have some on a new rock. I don't know how much of it they eat though.