Glass Anenome Infestation

[RothChyld]

I currently have at least 40 brown anenomes (aptasia I believe) that are infesting my tank. I purchased 6 peppermint shrimp about a week ago and don't know how long it takes for them to really take effect. (Plus I believe some were lunch) I would like to know if there is any better way to eliminate them besides 1. Peppermint Shrimp and 2. Boiling the rock. I hear you can use a syringe and put concentrated alk formula on them but not sure if this is a wise idea. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[OrionGirl]

Kalkwasser works like a charm. You can try injecting them with boiling water instead.

Are you sure you have peppermints? There are a few species that look similar and the 2 are frequently sold as peppermint's even though they aren't, and won't eat aiptasia. I am not sure how long it would take for you to see the results of their efforts, however...Someone else may know that.

 

[Altivelis]

I have had some success using and epoxy putty and basically sealing the aptasia into their hole. A few weeks of this and as far as I can tell they are dead. It does create a temporarly unatractive look to the tank but it works fairly well

 

[BrianH]

The peppermint shrimp should take care of the smaller anenomes but you may have to get rid of the larger ones. I second orion's suggestion of using kalk. You need to mix up a thick paste of kalk and RO water and inject/spray it onto the anenome. This will make it shrivel up and die. Sometimes the stronger ones may need a second treatment.
Brian

 

[RothChyld]

When you do this does it add risk to your other tank mates? In other words, what if it drifts down and touches something else?

 

[BrianH]

I've never heard of this treatment hurting anything else in the tank but I'd only go after a few a day just to make sure. You might see the solution flaking in your tank. Don't worry about this, it's normal.

 

[gcvt]

Be careful - I think I managed to kill a small mushroom by dropping kalk paste on it once.

 

[RothChyld]

Thanks folks! I will give it a shot.

 

[Cheech]

If it helps,

I went to an lfs to purchase some peppermints for aiptisia, and the shrimps turned out to be camel shrimps. They have a similar look... Maybe those are the shrimps you have?