Hey,
It has been awhile since I've posted, (I've been really busy this fall), but I'm glad to get back on. While cleaning my tank, I found this weird "blob" and was wondering if anyone has seen one before. I found it underneath my mushroom and so I brought it out so I could see it better. And also, I bought what I thought was a fan worm but when I brought it home it looked more like an anemone. I couldn't see properly in the store as the lights were shut off in the tanks, but I was wondering if anyone knows what it could be.
Thankz

This is the "blob"


This is what I just got.

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The Anemone is called an Aiptasia (rock or glass anemone). They will multiply all over your tank and are generally regarded as pests. There are various mechanical and chemical means of removal, as well as natural predators (eg-certain butterfly fish, shrimp, etc.). The problem is that you have to be careful with the chemicals, and the natural predators will also go after other sessile inverts in your tank. You should read up on them and decide on a method of removal, as they can infest your tank. No idea about the "blob".

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"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960

Well the anemone looking fellow you have in your tank is called aptasia or another name would be the glass anemone. These are a serious nuisance considering they will kill the coral in your tank if they multiply and these guys multiply quick. Now if I read what you wrote right you said you bought this fellow. I'm sorry to tell you but I hope you didn't spend too much because this is what I would consider a wasted investment, IMO. I usually get these guys when I buy LR for free (considering they are big hitchhikers) . Then I have to spend time trying to get rid of them.

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Josie:cool:

:mad: Well, that's frustrating to know. I feel stupid as I spent twenty dollars and on the fact that I thought they were tiny. But since there is only one right now, do you think that I should discard of it before (assuming if) it becomes a problem. I kindof don't want to, as it is slightly amusing at the moment. When I get some more corals it might become a problem. I could try natural predation with a pepermint shrimp, as saltydaddy said, . But their stinging corals would be just like any other anemone, so is it due to the fact that they multiply when their trying to be removed, and some piece regenerates that it is considered a nuisance? I kindof am considering right now keeping it, but what would you suggest: keep it or kill it? :fish-bones:

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I would kill it considering they are a pain in the butt to get rid of when they spread.

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Josie:cool:

Agree- get rid of it. And have the LFS refund whatever you paid for it.

From Reefs.org:

Aiptasia are members of the phylum Cnidaria, and as characteristic of all Cnidaria have a stinging cell. These stinging cells, called cnidocyte, each contains a stinging mechanism, cnidae or nematocyst. The nematocysts of aiptasia have a toxin that ismore potent that the majority of corals kept by the hobbyist. Corals coming into contact with aiptasia will recede and show signs of distress, leading to death. They can also reproduce quickly, over running an aquarium in a short period of time. Where do they come from?

Aiptasia are introduced as hitch hikers in our aquarium. Often small specimens come in inadvertently on live rock or attached to the base of corals. Aiptasia are very common in shallow, nutrient rich water, but are also found in most tropical environments.
Why and how are they reproducing so quickly?

Aiptasia will reproduce quickly in some aquariums, while in others show little signs of an increase in population. The exact reason is unknown, but an environment high in nutrients and detritus seem to encourage faster growth. They generally reproduce by pedal laceration. When the aiptasia moves a small piece of the base tissue is left behind. Even a severely damaged piece can regenerate into an entire anemone. For this reason do not try to scrape the anemone off or try to crush it. Instead of killing it you will end up with many more.
So how do I get rid of them?

Unfortunately there is no perfect answer. There are two basic approaches, natural predators and a chemical approach. I have had little success with the chemical approach but others report good success. The first step should be to create a low nutrient environment. While this will not eliminate them, it will be a deterrent for further growth.
The Chemical Approach

Various manufacturers have come out with different products. As of the writing of this FAQ's, I know of none that works, or at least works any better than the old home brew.
The chemical approach involves taking a toxic liquid or paste and placing a large dose into the mouth of the aiptasia. The most popular one is to mix two parts water to one part calcium hydroxide (lime, kalkwasser) mix it and place it into a large bore syringe. Now this is highly caustic and some care should be given to the handling of this mixture. The large bore syringe can be obtained at any pet store or vet supply that handles vaccinations. Once you have it mixed and loaded, you simply place a large blob right on the aiptasia. The aiptasia rapidly takes the mix into its mouth. Within a few minutes the aiptasia begins to dissolve and can be easily removed by a small bore siphon. Other mixtures that can be used include hydrochloric acid, calcium chloride and boiling water. One more note of caution, large doses of some of these chemicals can rapidly change your pH.
My experience has been that while this seems to work well, there will always be traces of the anemone left behind that rapidly regenerate and you are right back where you started.
Another method has been to take the two part epoxies readily available and to seal them into the rock they live. This works well, as long as there is not an escape route for them to squeeze out on the other side.
Natural Predators

Berghia verrucicornis
The newest found predator and perhaps the one with the best potential is Berghia verrucicornis . This nudibranch was first introduced by the scientific article by Carrol & Kempf (1990: On Aiptasia eating Nudibranch. Biol. Bull. 179: 243-253). Berghia verrucicornis along with most nudibranchs are diet specific. Then another article appeared in describing methods to culture it. Shortly thereafter starter cultures were exchanged and several Aquaculture facilities in the US begin producing them. As of this writing there are a limited number available and the specimens that can be found are generally too small be put in to a large system and expected to live. I am sure this will change in the near future.
The only drawback for these is that they will eat nothing else. Once there are no aiptasias left or so few the nudibranch has trouble finding them he will starve to death. This is also a problem with buying the very small specimens that are available, they might starve in a large tank before they are able to locate food. The solution would seem to be to have a small tank set up and culture aiptasia in them to feed the nudibranchs. An alternative would be keeping the Berghia in a 10 gallon aquarium and move infested rock into it. Once your problem has cleared up, you simply pass the Berghia on to a fellow hobbyist.
Butterfly Fish

Chelmon rostratus and Chaetodon kleinii include these as part of their diet. I have had the best luck with the copper banded butterfly, C. rostratus . I have used these several times and they have never bothered any of the other inhabitants of my tank. I have heard reports of them picking at the small feather dusters in aquariums. The Raccoon butterfly is far less picky. While they eagerly devour the aiptasias, they also like to pick at other corals. They seem particularly fond of Trachyphyllia geoffroyii. Something to consider is fish are like people and have different tastes and at any time may change what they will eat.
Peppermint Shrimp

Both Rhynchocinetidae sp and Lysmata wurdemanni will eat aiptasias. Rhynchocinetidae sp. will also eat corals and is not suitable for a reef tank. There have also been reports of L. wurdemanni eating the polyps on small polyp sceleractinians. So I would think twice about adding this one.

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Men In Nursing- A Few Good Men

"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960

Good news, anyways, my "blob" ended up opening and is a tiny mushroom. It is in the bottom right hand corner.
[IMG][/IMG]

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I had about 20 that I could see in my new 90G that i was setting up. I bought 2 peppermint shrimp and they were gone within a week. HTH!

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wait- you spent money on that aiptasia that was called a coral? or nem?

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Yeah, I'm really embarrased about it know. Though it was marked as a tube worm, so thankfully I didn't waste that much money. As I said the lights were off in the tanks and I was in a rush. I learned my lesson:rolleyes:; though stores should really see if their employees know what they are talking about (not to say that all stores are like this one, whose common name I'll leave out).

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what store?? petsmart? how can they not know it was an majano aptasia?????dont tell me its your lfs!

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No, no. it was a petco. My local petsmart is all freshwater.

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yeah, petco is known for that *****************, why do they want to hurt there customers tank??? i dont understand it

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“Sell a man a fish, he eats for a day, teach a man how to fish, you ruin a wonderful business opportunity.”
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Petco...I would never buy a animal from their, I get my supplies usually from petsmart or petco, ect. But DO NOT buy a animal fm. their, they dont even take care of stuff right and dont know anything about it.

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Glad to be of any help-Austin.