Aptasia!
- Thread starter kreblak
- Start date
Any suggestions for prompt removal and keeping it gone?
I know that companies sell a product you inject into the little biggers that will kill them, but I think making a Kalkwasser paste and injecting them with that is just as affective.
You just have to find a hypodermic needle and syringe.
Guy
You just have to find a hypodermic needle and syringe.
Guy
Injecting them with kalkwasser paste, boiling water, or Part A of 'B-Ionic' (the alk component) is a good place to start - one or more of these methods will probably work fine for you.
Like Guy said, a hypodermic needle comes in really handy for this. Fill the needle with your favorite potion from above and inject it into the stalk of the aiptasia.
The problem is getting your hands on a single syringe...unless you're a diabetic or know one who will give you a syringe. I went to my local pharmacy and told them I needed a syringe to get rid of pest anemones in my reef tank - I'll never forget the looks on their faces
Like Guy said, a hypodermic needle comes in really handy for this. Fill the needle with your favorite potion from above and inject it into the stalk of the aiptasia.
The problem is getting your hands on a single syringe...unless you're a diabetic or know one who will give you a syringe. I went to my local pharmacy and told them I needed a syringe to get rid of pest anemones in my reef tank - I'll never forget the looks on their faces
This Aptasia, what do they look like? I think that maybe I may have one or two in my tank and I don't really know just what they are. I saw this and have been scouring the net for one good picture for this but can not find a really nice picture. Can someone give me a location out there to really tell me what they are and what they cause?
You might be able to find a syringe at the farm supply center depending on the laws in your state, as many farmers give their animals vaccinations, etc by themselves. Another idea is the marinade injectors- some of those I have seen have smaller
needles' and may work, the only thing with these is that they may not hold the kalk without running out the end of the needle.
An insulin syringe may not be a good choice(I am a diabetic) as the needles now are so fine that the kalk paste (as you want this to be fairly thick) will probably not work or will plug up the needle before you can get enough into the aptasia to kill it. IMHO.
Mark
needles' and may work, the only thing with these is that they may not hold the kalk without running out the end of the needle.
An insulin syringe may not be a good choice(I am a diabetic) as the needles now are so fine that the kalk paste (as you want this to be fairly thick) will probably not work or will plug up the needle before you can get enough into the aptasia to kill it. IMHO.
Mark
I don't know the name of the product but the stuff that you can buy specifically to inject into aptasia comes with a syringe and a really heavy gauge needle (it's not sharp really but i guess you could call it a needle). I've seen it used at my LFS and the aptasia collapses once it has been enjected with the stuff in about 10 seconds.
sorry I don't know the name, but it's green. I can tell you that much!
Guy
sorry I don't know the name, but it's green. I can tell you that much!
Guy
Lebloom,
This stuff looks like a small anemone. Mine are very small. It is attached to my live rock at the base, has a stalk that extends upward, and has a head with many tentacles around the edges that sway in the current. It is typically a deep purple in color, and will multiply out of control extremely quickly if left alone (or so I am told). It stings, as well, so it is dangerous to fish and you.
Do peppermint shrimp eat this stuff? My LFS says to get a whole herd of peppermint shrimp to keep the aptasia down.
This stuff looks like a small anemone. Mine are very small. It is attached to my live rock at the base, has a stalk that extends upward, and has a head with many tentacles around the edges that sway in the current. It is typically a deep purple in color, and will multiply out of control extremely quickly if left alone (or so I am told). It stings, as well, so it is dangerous to fish and you.
Do peppermint shrimp eat this stuff? My LFS says to get a whole herd of peppermint shrimp to keep the aptasia down.
How big is your tank? I'm not sure on the requirement so pepermint shrimp, but I can say most people only keep a couple even in real big tanks. So I don't know if a herd of shrimp is a good idea. Maybe 2 or 3.
Guy
Guy
IME peppermint shrimp will usually take care of the smaller anenomes. I used the kalk paste for the larger ones.
Brian
Brian
Peppermint shrimp are somewhat of a crap-shoot. Some eat aiptasia and some don't - kinda like emerald crabs and valonia...some eat it and some don't.
I obviously got a hold of some peppermints that were not interested in helping me with my aiptasia problem
I obviously got a hold of some peppermints that were not interested in helping me with my aiptasia problem