The dreaded Aiptapsia

[Caoineag]

Seems I have four kinds in my tank, three of which are the usual glass type, one of which is a pretty rust red with white bands. I have two of the pretty ones, one in my 37g refugium, one in the 55g main (he looks like he has seen better days so it may not be long till he dies).

So here is the funny part, the pretty aiptapsia I have had since the first day of adding the lr. Just never knew they were aiptapsia till I went looking through aiptapsia info yesterday due to the glass anemones.

My tank is almost three months old, none of them have reproduced and all the glass anemones are tiny and have not grown since I spotted them for the first time (which I admit was probably quite some time ago).

Having found out that aiptapsia is native to the Caribbean, I am not surprised by my variety of it, just its lack of growth. Further research indicates that aiptapsia requires a tank to have an excess of nutrients to actually start breeding at all...I take the lack of growth as a good sign.

So I have a policy of, if its not messing with my tank, leave it be. Anyone want to place bets on how long before one of the 4 types procreates? (I am sort of tempted to attack the glass anemones with joe's juice cause I am not as trusting of them but I will watch closely and see what happens.)

For all of you placing bets, keep in mind that while the pretty two have gotten bigger,the glass ones haven't and only one of the pretty ones is likely to survive due to the one getting buried in the sand (he keeps looking less and less happy, wonder why he hasn't moved yet? Trapped maybe?)

Also keep in mind that this is nearing the end of the 3rd month and nothing has reproduced yet so anyone have a guess?

[LiquidLunch]

I took care of one yesterday. I filled a turkey baster w/ microwaved RO water and shot it with it. Done.

[johnny505]

give them to me!!!!!

[Caoineag]

No offense Johnny but no way, they would have to come on their rock and that rock has some serious life on it (Shipping this sucker would probably wipe out your tank with all the die off). Just go buy some live rock from the Caribbean, aiptapsia is native to the Caribbean so that should get you some in no time. Sides are you honestly telling me that no one in your area has an aiptapsia invested rock to give you? That is a bit insane...

[ChrisPrusha]

I have heard of aiptasia being model citizens in tanks for years, then all of a sudden one day...BAMM...they're multiplying like rabbits.

I wish you the best, of course, but I implore you to get rid of then ASAP.

[Caoineag]

Actually, thank you for that response. I had a feeling that they would basically behave until everything else hits the fan. I am actually not sure that my red and whites are even aiptapsia because I have seen there exact likeness listed as something as other than aiptapsia as well (they actually look more like the non-aiptapsia picture than the aiptapsia).

However, I am thinking that those glass anemones are ugly and an unnecessary risk so may be buying some Joe's Juice to kill them. Would do Kalwasser but don't need any of that and prefer not to throw off my water parameters. Though the hot ro/di water in a turkey baster seems a good way to go as well.

[ChrisPrusha]

Happy hunting, and let us know how the battle goes.