I have some little brown plant-looking things in my aquarium. They almost look like feather dusters only smaller and more bland. I don't have a picture but mentioned it to someone else who has a marine aquarium and they knew right away what they were. I thought they said it was astaria but after browsing on here it looks like that is just a snail. This other source said that they were not a good thing and to get rid of them but did not say how to. Does anybody know what I'm talking about and what to do about it? I'll try to get some pics to put on here if nobody knows without seeing them. Thanks!
Little Brown Plants
- Thread starter jl-sullivan
- Start date
Sounds like aptasia. Do a google search for pics and see if it is what you have or post a pic if you can get one. It is a pest anemone. They will multiply like crazy. Lemon juice, boiling water, or a commercial product like Joe's Juice injected into them will take care of it. You can also try peppermint shrimp but those are hit and miss. My peppermint shrimp got rid of my aptasia but I have heard that some people do not have good luck with their peppermints.
I think I know what you are describing. I have them too all over some LR. Have you touched them? Is the 'stalk' rigid and brown? Are they grouped closely together?
I have no idea what they are either.
Aptasia would retreat back into its hole if you touched it and it is soft.
I have no idea what they are either.
Aptasia would retreat back into its hole if you touched it and it is soft.
From looking at google I think it is aptasia. Can I just pull them out? If not, I would have to remove all fishies before injecting them, right? Will lemon juice, etc. kill other stuff in the tank (I have some mushrooms in there)?
Aiptasia's will retract away from you instantly when you try to touch them, if they dont, then they wont be Aiptasia i would say...
If they are, simple get some boiling water in a syringe and squirt the boiling water directly on them...there is no need to disturb anything in the tank as this will have no effects on the inhabitants ( unless you squirt it directly on one of them....lol )...
Cant really commit to a proper ID untill i seen a photo of them..
Niko
If they are, simple get some boiling water in a syringe and squirt the boiling water directly on them...there is no need to disturb anything in the tank as this will have no effects on the inhabitants ( unless you squirt it directly on one of them....lol )...
Cant really commit to a proper ID untill i seen a photo of them..
Niko
I will try the boiling water. I hadn't tried to touch them, but you are right they withdrawal into the rock when you do. Why are they bad, exactly? Just because there are so many of them?
The main issues with them is that they can grow to plague propotions if they propogate...and of course they sting...
pretty much confirms they are aiptasia that you have...boiling water will soon sort the issue out...
Niko
pretty much confirms they are aiptasia that you have...boiling water will soon sort the issue out...
Niko