Aptasia and shrimp

Mr._Bond · 06-10-2005, 01:06 PM

First, I have a small colony of brown, flowery looking things starting on my live rock, I think might be aptasia. They are small now, so I can't really get a good photo of them, but from what I've seen and read, it sounds like the nasty aptasia I just recently added a rock with red mushrooms on it, so I assume that's where these guys cames from, but they are quite some distance from the new rock. Feel free to chime in about if this sounds like aptasia...
Second, I need to get rid of it, assuming it is aptasia, so, from what I've read, the chemical solutions on live rock, aren't too good (as you kill everything else on the rock too), or else they just aren't all that effective. I understand that just removing the rock, scrubbing the stuff off doesn't work as it just leaves more little ones to grow. Only other options I've heard are angel fish and peppermint shrimp. My peppermint shrimp met his demise a couple weeks ago and I don't have an angel. I was thinking of getting a peppermint shrimp again, but then read they can go after coral (polyps). Is this true? What angel fish would be best? It'd have to be a dwarf, but was considering getting one anyway...
Third, does anyone have any other suggestions to get rid of this?
Help?
Thanks!

fletch · 06-10-2005, 01:16 PM

I use a hypodermic needle and syringe filled with white vinegar and inject them with it. Works great for me. John

dano · 06-10-2005, 01:31 PM

i had the same ideas with the peppremint shrimp. he took care of them right away but when they grew back he wouldnt touch them. i then went to a needle and lemon juice, but they could withstand that. then i went to a needle and joes juice, about a month ago and have not seen any yet.

Mr._Bond · 06-10-2005, 02:08 PM

I've heard about "Joes Juice" - what is that?

mmakay · 06-10-2005, 03:56 PM

Joe's is essentially lime-water, or at least no better than. Lime water is just water saturated with Kalk. Since you will probably end up topping off with Kalk anyway, if you don't already, investing in that would be money better spent. (In fact, you can probably get Pickling Lime at the grocery store in Denver ... same thing as kalk but even cheaper.)

A slurry of Kalk injected into the aiptaisia will kill them quick, just don't do too much at once and screw up your tank's PH. It's the same concept as the vinegar mentioned by Fletch ... just alkaline (high PH) instead of acidic (low PH). The Kalk is going to add calcium to the tank, though, and doesn't everyone love calcium? [

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Covey · 06-10-2005, 05:37 PM

Do you think it is any coincident that the aptasia showed after your peppermint shrimp died. Anyway I am pretty sure none of the pygmy (Centropyge) angel eat aptasia. My Coral Beauty didn't think any thing of them. The Angels that eat aptasia are the Holocantus angels like the Emporer or the Queen. They get huge and or totally not reef safe. You had the answer.
Peppermint Shrimp=>No aptasia
No peppermint shrimp=>aptasia
Hope it helps.

Birdlady · 06-10-2005, 06:23 PM

I don't necesarily agree with getting an animal for 'pest control' so to speak. It does not always work to your advantage either, and you are stuck planning the rest of your tank around the pest controllers.

I injected the one and only aiptaisia I was unlucky enough to encounter with boiling hot kalk water

I just used a pipette that came with a test kit. One shot did the trick! More predictable results and I am not stuck with a critter I don't really want.

mmakay · 06-10-2005, 06:36 PM

I like our peppermint shrimp! The only fish I want that would jeopordize the shrimp is the Flame Hawkfish ... but he would eat all my crabs, snails, cleaner shrimp, you get the idea. So, I like our peppermint shrimp!

Birdlady · 06-10-2005, 06:57 PM

I am not saying you should not get something if you like it, but when you get into, what will eat this, and what will take care of that, you loose the overall planning aspect , in some cases.

I like shrimp! They are cool! More fun to watch than fish , IMO

My fire shrimp would hop right up on my hand! (until my dottyback ate him! :mad: ) He is gone now.

All I am really saying, is make sure any pest controllers you may want, fit into the overall scheme of what you are going for...that's all!

Mr._Bond · 06-12-2005, 05:00 PM

Birdlady, I understand what you are saying and agree. I had a peppermint shrimp up until the new Christmas (Ornamental) Wrasse took him out and it was only him and one other shrimp, so I don't think it'd be a bad investment, even after the aptasia is gone. Would you agree or not?