Odd situation with an Aiptasia aneome

So, I was on vacation for a bit, and right before I left I thought I noticed an aiptasia popping up (never had in the tank before so figured it was about time). I didn't have time to do anything then, but when I got back it was slightly larger but still only one. I was a bit confused figuring from what I've read, they spread like wildfire. Since I have FOWLR tank I wasn't concerned for any of my inhabitants health but was watching the anemone closely. It's been 2 months now, and the little guy has grown, but it's still only one anemone(I've checked all over the tank many times without finding any other friends).

Could this Aiptasia not be able to reproduce? Am I just playing with fire and getting lucky? Is this an Aiptasia at all (sure looks like one)? The rock its on, could use a scrubbing to remove some sand on it, so I'm thinking about removing the rock and giving it a freshwater dip, but I've read mechanical removal of aiptasia can lead to it multiplying. I'm going to take a picture right now just to make sure this is an Aiptasia, but either way, does this sound right about it not spreading?


On a side note, my girlfriend fed it the other night and now she wants to keep it:-X so I need to make a decision soon before she treats it like a pet lol.

 

They can grow for a while then all of a sudden decide to multiply. Kill with some sort of aiptasia killing solution.

 

+1

I thought my first couple were cool too, and fed them. They took over my 3 gallon tank and my 10 gallon tank LOL.

 

So would leaving the rock in cold fresh water for a day not do the trick? I know I could buy some of the juices which would be fine, but I'm already going to do a good cleaning on the rock so kill 2 birds with one stone if its possible.

 

Probably should do a full nuke in that case.

 

Since this is a fowler tank would there be any harm in just letting it reproduce?

 

Well not really, notwithstanding certain rare fish I'm sure, but what is the point? They are no fun to look at. They are like spiders or something... they just look nasty.

 

I tried this trick with good results:

If your aiptasia is in an accessible spot, go the the pharmacy and buy a syringe with a small needle, then load it up with vinegar or lemon juice and inject the anemone with it. Make sure you're going inside its body. it will retract quickly, but once you're in, you're there. Push the plunger and it should kill it within minutes.

If you can, the best thing is to siphon it out since it will let go of its footing when dying.

This way, and since you only have one, so far, you don't have to spend money on a commercial product.

Good luck!

 

+1 Another trick along the same lines is to get one of those eye dropper syringes and cut the end so that there is a 1/8th inch diameter opening and just suck it up. It's kinda crude, and I suppose you run the risk of spreading the pest, but it works for me (I haven't removed aptasia with this method, only tube worms and such)