Wade Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I just noticed what looks to be an aptasia anenome in the new ball of cheato I got from R2G a few days ago. Will it spread from my fuge to the DT or is it safe to leave it in the fuge? I'll post a pic when it comes back out (I poked it with the handle of a fish net to make sure of what it was). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woods Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 It will absolutely spread. I would get it out ASAP. It may not make it to you DT if you have fish or shrimp that eat them but they definitely spread and the longer it is in your tank the more potential you will eventually have them in your DT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Meh. I have Aiptasia in my cheetos in the fuge as well. And ONLY in my fuge. I do have a couple peppermint shrimp in the DT though, so they may be keeping it in check. But I've never ever ever seen an aiptasia in my DT. I let them live in the fuge as an extra filter feeder. Also, they have been in the fuge for well over a year and its not like a huge explosion of them. Just a dozen or so maybe. Diffrent strokes ya know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Aptasia have been used for nutrient export just as macro algae. Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woods Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 That doesn't make them any more desirable in my opinion... I still kill everyone I ever see in my systems. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpb Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I'd get rid if them too. A handful of aiptasia aren't going to be that effective at nutrient export. Just not worth an infestation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted December 15, 2013 Author Share Posted December 15, 2013 hmmm. It's a new ball of cheato too. How do suggest I remove it? I have some aptasia-x somewhere I believe. I suppose that would do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woods Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 if it is attached to the chaeto, I would just remove those few strands. you can separate, spreadout the ball of Chaeto and get to and break off those strands... I wouldn't mess with the AptasiaX, just get it out of the tank completely. Sometimes AptasiaX works, sometimes it doesn't and sometimes they send off spores to start new Aptasia when stressed... I would just simple remove it or them and be rid of the problem. You will want to watch the ball for the next several weeks to see if you missed any or any new ones pop up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph.Ruelle Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 +1 that it will spread. +1 on the Peppermint Shrimp. At this point, it may be advisable to add a couple peppermint shrimp as preventative maintenance, if you decide on keeping the chaeto ball. A well-seasoned reefer once told me that Peppermint Shrimp will only eat small aiptasia, and that may be something to consider... +1 on aiptasia being detritivores/nutrient export. They are-- after all-- anemones. I've seen some huge ones engulf pieces of food before. So, in that sense, they are good at nutrient export, but beyond that, a nuisance. It was pehaps irresponsible of the vendor to not inform you of their STI. (Saltwater-transmitted infestation). Either way, happy reefing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsea Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 STI. CUTE. One point to add about Peppermint Shrimp. Beside eating small Aptasia, Peppermint Shrimp are carnivores and will eat anything that does not eat them. Patrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted December 16, 2013 Author Share Posted December 16, 2013 I'll start with taking the ball apart and seeing what I can get out of it. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jpowell490 Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Wade, Stop being cheap, just chunk it! That stuff will spread like crazy and they will get into any other area connected to the cheato. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpb Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Agreed. Toss it. Get a chaeto ball from somewhere else...likely free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 I would throw it out if there was someplace local to get any. I have to freakin' order cheato. How sad is that? And then what I order has aptasia in it. Sadder still. I ordered another ball from R2G with some more pods since the shipping was free. I'll have to see what unknown horrors it's got in it this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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