What is this??

[littlefoxx]

This thing is growing on my zoa frag and popping up through spaces between polyps. What is it??

 

[dedragon]

aiptasia

 

[Marksmen_09]

This thing is growing on my zoa frag and popping up through spaces between polyps. What is it??

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Looks to be aiptasis, common reef pest, would look into trying to get rid of it as it can kill and over run your tank if not controlled.

 

[kevgib67]

I’d say aptasia. It is strange, both times I’ve had aptasia it has been on my zoa garden almost as if zoas are a magnet for aptasia.

 

[littlefoxx]

I’d say aptasia. It is strange, both times I’ve had aptasia it has been on my zoa garden almost as if zoas are a magnet for aptasia.

I thought thats what it was -.-

Anyone know what fish/invert I can put in there to get rid of it and control it? Ive read peppermint shrimp, filefish and copperband butterfly fish. I have a long spine urchin, he has passed over it and not touched it. I also have halloween hermits, some red legs and blue legs. No fish right now

 

[Marksmen_09]

I thought thats what it was -.-

Anyone know what fish/invert I can put in there to get rid of it and control it? Ive read peppermint shrimp, filefish and copperband butterfly fish. I have a long spine urchin, he has passed over it and not touched it. I also have halloween hermits, some red legs and blue legs. No fish right now

Peppermint shrimp, and filefish would be best, but my not eat right away.

 

[dedragon]

filefish are hit or miss with aiptasia and most go after corals. I have tried an aiptasia eating filefish and all it wanted were my acans and chalices.
Copperband gets too large for your tank if you have a red sea max 260.
Best cheap option would be peppermints but they can still go after corals. Berghia nudibranchs are a good option and go after aiptasia but will starve after eating them. I would just use joes juice and then supergluing over the whole aiptasia completely smother it

 

[kevgib67]

I thought thats what it was -.-

Anyone know what fish/invert I can put in there to get rid of it and control it? Ive read peppermint shrimp, filefish and copperband butterfly fish. I have a long spine urchin, he has passed over it and not touched it. I also have halloween hermits, some red legs and blue legs. No fish right now

I used Berghia nudibranchs, aptasia is their only diet. However, wrasses and anything that eats aptasia will eat Berghia nudibranchs ( file fish, peppermint shrimp).

 

[IKD]

I used Berghia nudibranchs, aptasia is their only diet. However, wrasses and anything that eats aptasia will eat Berghia nudibranchs ( file fish, peppermint shrimp).

If you only have one or two aiptasia, the nudi’s will starve out. I would remove this rock, kill the aiptasia with glue or kalk paste and keep a close eye for any others.

Another option are kuekenthali shrimp which target aiptasia and also other foods so they don’t starve.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This thing is growing on my zoa frag and popping up through spaces between polyps. What is it??

View attachment 3079895 View attachment 3079896

I would not suggest a peppermint shrimp or Berghia for 1 or 2 aptasia. Keep it simple:
Using syringe, inject either lemon juice or better yet. . kalkwasser powder mixed with tank water into a paste the consistency of toothpaste and inject into the very center core and it will melt away

 

[littlefoxx]

Thank you all! I am going to try the shrimp that @IKD suggested! Plus I do really like shrimp in my tank and those look pretty cool!