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Help Condy Killing Spree - 2/15/2006
Hello, thanks for the wonderful site!
I have a Condylactis anemone, recently the Condy attached itself to one of my
clams. I can't seem to get the anemone to release to separate them at
opposite ends of the tank. Is there any tricks out there to get
Condys to
release? <I would just get a butter knife and try to pry it away from the clam!
IanB>
Best,
Bryan
Re: Help Condy Killing Spree - 2/15/2006
Someone suggested a thin credit card, I found an old hotel room key, cleaned
it up and it worked great.
Thank you
Bryan
<Ah! "VISA, everywhere you want to be". Bob Fenner>
Beadlet Anemone control
My tank is being taken over by actinia and I was wondering if there is a way to kill them off?
Thanks, Gord
<See WWM re Aiptasia, other pest anemone controls. Bob Fenner>
Unknown Anemone (?) 6/7/03
Hi, I am a relatively new marine hobbyist, and I have been trying to
identify some of the free critters that have been showing up in my tank. I
recently learned that all of these new guys aren't necessarily desirable. I
have what I think is an anemone that popped out of a rock I purchased...its
about 1 inch high, grows rather fast too. The base is like a stem,
and its a clear purplish color with some white spots. At the top is a
bunch of tentacles that are a brownish purplish color, semi-transparent, with brighter
purple tips. Is this thing good or bad, and if its bad should i try
to fish it out (pardon the pun)? Any advice would be appreciated -
sorry, i don't have a pic
<we really cannot ID the creature easily without a pic, my friend. Instead...
do a web search for "Anemonia majano" or "Aiptasia" to see
if pics of either pest genus are similar to yours. Also review the FAQs and pics
in our archives on anemones at wetwebmedia.com Best regards, Anthony>
Mystery Anemone?
Hey Gang, How ya doin'? Anthony, (or anyone that may answer!), do you know what
this is?
<tough to say without a clearer pic... sight/color of base would help a
little (red/orange, yes?)... could be a small Heteractis anemone (like H.
aurora... have seen color morphs akin to this photo>
Reef safe?
<I do not believe any motile anemone should be kept with other sessile
stinging cnidarians (coral). Most will kill or be killed in the long run>
Problematic? Just curious!
<it does not look like a pest species at this point to me, bud. Still...
isolation in a refugium would be strongly recommended if not a separate tank
altogether. If its a pest, it needs to be removed... and if its a baby
Heteractis... it still does>
Have a great day! Stormbringer (woo hoo, going camping today!)
<kind regards, Anthony... PS- roast some marshmallows for me <G>>
Nuisance anemone
Is there a safe way to eliminate nuisance anemone in my aquarium.
Thanks so much!
<What type of anemone? I use peppermint shrimp for Aiptasia. Check
out the following link.
http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm
>
Wishing you tons of smiles and laughter today!
Karen!!!
<Thanks!!!, Gage>
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Aiptasia ID
Hello there, Can you give me a positive ID on this stranger? About 1cm across.
Many thanks.
<Not exactly... nice picture of what appears to be an anemone... please see
here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm
and on to the links on "Pest Anemones", "Aiptasia"... you
may be facing the question of whether this is a pest species that wants reacting
to... I would leave it be for now... see if it reproduces quickly for now. Bob
Fenner>
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Re: Aiptasia ID
Bob, Thanks for the comment. There's already two (this one and
another) on the one piece of rock.
<Oh...>
Should it be removed to quarantine for observation or is it's reproduction
already underway (if it is a pest species)?
<Good question... I would pull the rock out that they're on and thoroughly
(THOROUGHLY) scrub the areas they're attached to, rinsing under the sink... if
any bits are left, they will regenerate... and spread. Bob Fenner>
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Re: Anemone ID (and war)
My little anemone has grown greatly since we last spoke. He is
now almost 2 inches when he fans himself out, and has bright
pink tips on the ends of his tentacles. He feeds voraciously if
I let him, and I'm wonder how much, if it all, should I feed him?
<Not much... this appears to be an Anemonia sp... and may reproduce quite quickly if supplied sufficient food>
I started to feed him about once a week a month ago while I was
trying to nurse my sebae back to health yet again. Just some brine
shrimp mixed with Kent's MicroVert and tank water gentle blown
on the anemone with a large syringe. The sebae has degraded itself
to the extent that I have moved him to the quarantine tank in case
he doesn't make it.
<You may be experiencing a "chemical and physical war between these species"... they don't have to be in close proximity... just in the same bit of water... It would be best if they were completely separated>
Attached are better pics of the ever growing
little anemone. Why would one be doing so well, while the other struggles
to survive?
<Competitive strategies...>
As for the rest of the tank, I still don't have a fish load. Only 1 damsel
and
1 yellow tang. The tank is 75 gallons. I have added another 40 lbs of sand
and another 20lbs of live rock giving me a good 3 inch bed of fine aragonite
and over 70lbs of rock. I have a few colonies of spaghetti worms, various
fan worms, some with bright red fans, some green, some white. I am
constantly
finding something I have never seen before. I have 2 cucumbers and 2 brittle
stars.
<Sounds nice>
I may have 2 emerald crabs in there too, I just haven't seen them in quite a
while.
I intend to add some shrimp shortly, but still haven't decided what else. Any
livestock suggestions?
<The genus Lysmata... covered on WetWebMedia.com>
I want to let the tank age probably another year
before
I try corals and such. As always, your advice is greatly appreciated.
<Good ideas... though many corals are best placed as first organisms...>
Oh yeah, the pics.
<Be chatting, Bob Fenner>
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Majano?
Hey there,
I've got a problem identifying what looks to be a pest anemone that has infiltrated my 54 gal. reef.
I haven't got pics, so I'll try to describe it as best as I can. It has a longer tube like
Aiptasia and a bright green center. The tentacles are green with red tips. Every time I've done a search here or on other boards I can't find anything that looks like this. I even looked thru all my books (lots) and came up empty. Can you give me a hand without a pic? Hope so. Have at it!!!
thanks,
Charlie
<Yes, we can. Take a look at our pix: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/otherpstanemfaqs.htm and on the links beyond.
Bob Fenner>
Controlling Pest Anemones
Anthony, Thanks for the input, and quick response.
<my pleasure, bud>
Just wanted to let you
know that your original advice (clean up my nutrient rich environment) was
taken seriously. I have substantially reduced my feeding habits, and have
noticed my fish load actually more active as they hunt for food in and
around their live rock aquascape.
<exactly... as it should be. A more balanced cycle of nutrients (fish eating algae, passing waste, which grows
algae, that fish eat etc) rather than a dramatic weight of influence on nutrient import>
They're all still real fat, and I believe
they even look more healthy.
<I do as well>
In addition, 2 weeks ago I dumped my AE Tech
Reef Devil 3 (running for over 2 years and never quite worked up to it's
advertised performance), and bolted up a brand new Aqua C EV180 - WOW!!- an
amazing difference. This thing is pulling out more gunk on a daily basis
than the AE did in a week!
<heehee... it is amazing once you see a skimmer that really works. Its too easy to have a skimmer that collects a cup or two per
week and think that's all your tank produces...sheesh! I'm glad your got a great skimmer now>
My main objective is to still eradicate the
pests, but with your input I now realize that without solving the problem,
they would just keep coming back.
Hopefully these new steps will make
certain I realize my goal. Thanks again, Dave G.
<best regards, Anthony>
Anemone or Polyp? A real nuisance either way
Greetings WWMCrew, I hope this finds you well.
<and you as well my friend>
A few months ago, I acquired a piece of established live rock from another
tank. The rock contained several mushrooms and a Dampia (Sinularia Dura),
<a very nice coral in my opinion!>
which has tripled in size and started a new bud recently. Also, on this
rock, were several (50-60) small (1/8 - 1/4") polyps.
Over the past 3 months these polyps have taken up residence on every rock
in the tank, the sand, and the glass. They now number in the hundreds.
They are easily removed from the glass and sandbed, but I have not found a
way to remove them from the rock as they shrink up to the size of a pinhead
or vanish into a small hole in the rock.
They are starting to disturb the corals in the tank,
<they can indeed kill corals>
and I am getting quite
concerned they are going to get the better of the tank (not to mention, the
better of me).
<agreed... but know that they feed organismally and do not usually become a plague or nuisance in many/most tanks. This creature thrives plain and simply from overfeeding. You tank either has messy feeding fish, it is overfed,
under skimmed and/or lacks current (some combination of the previous)>
I have attached a picture of these polyps. First, have you ever seen these
"wonderful" forms of life, and second, is there a way to remove them from
the tank without disrupting everything else? I can move the rocks one at a
time to my quarantine tank, if necessary, to facilitate easier removal.
<and if so... there are several natural predators to control such pest anemones...
Raccoon butterflies trained in a quarantine tank have often worked nicely>
As always, thanks again for your words of wisdom.
-Jim
<best regards> |
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Anemonia Outbreak
Dear WWM Crew, I am desperately seeking help, I'm a long time WWM visitor, first time writer.
<welcome my friend>
Several months ago my 2 year old 100 gallon Reef
sprouted a couple of bright green, bulb tipped anemones. From past
experience, I knew they were not Aiptasia, so I was curious, not
concerned. BIG MISTAKE!! These guys are now everywhere, and have killed
several corals, including a small brain, Galaxea and various others. I was able to identify them in Julian
Sprung's Reef Aquarium, Volume 2, as
Anemonia cf. Majano, and their recommendation for eradication is the
Nudibranch spurilla neapolitana. Every one I have spoken to regarding this Nudibranch
has no idea what they are or where to get some.
<agreed>
My LFS suggested I try several peppermint shrimp.
<dubious... better with small Aiptasia>
I did. They have not been seen in the tank since shortly after I placed them in their new home (not sure, but I think the anemones ate them!).
<heehee...>
I have tried the various Aiptasia tricks, injection of high concentration of
Kalkwasser, etc. but they just keep coming back to life and multiplying. On the rocks that are accessible and
removable, I have been able to blast them off with a water pik, but this is not possible with the majority of my live rock.
<agreed>
All required parameters are excellent, fish and corals not close to anemones are fine, but these guys are on the move and I fear my beautiful little eco system is doomed if I can't find a solution.
<I have solutions... but read on first. Know that killing these creatures is treating the symptom and not the problem. Such pest anemones only grow when there are available nutrients. Specifically... food particles. They feed organismally and will only thrive in high nutrient environments. In underfed, understocked, aggressively skimmed (etc) tanks.. a few will stay in place and not spread divide for years! So, you either have a messy fish (sloppy feeder), weak water movement, a skimmer that does not produce every day, a heavy hand at feeding or some combination of the aforementioned. Do consider>
Any suggestions on eliminating these pests would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help, both presently and in the past. Dave G.
<it is our pleasure to share and advise. For your immediate solution, there aren't many common and reef safe solutions. Mechanical removal is tedious and just not effective. I have seen
Raccoon butterflies (C. lunula) trained in QT tanks to eat them (bring Anemonia covered rocks in for the first month of Qt and then the fish is often "reef safe" long enough in the reef display to
eradicate the pest anemones). know that there are certainly risks to corals with this fish. Other aquarists with deep pockets have enjoyed juvenile Emperor angels with mostly to very reef safe results (under 4" specimens usually). Alas... there is no magic wand short of nutrient control to limit their growth. My advice is that if the bio-load allows it... perhaps experiment with a
raccoon butterfly, but it must be quarantined for one month (disease screening and food training) and you must be willing/prepared to trap out of the display later if necessary. Best regards, Anthony Calfo>
Re: Anemonia Outbreak
Anthony and WWM Crew, Thank you so much for your fast response - you guys
are exactly what this most rewarding hobby needs!
<well we can't sit around and drink beer ALL day long :) >
In response to your
suggestions, I have fired up the QT and will be placing several infested
rocks in it in preparation of the arrival of my new Raccoon Butterfly, which
will be ready for pick up on Sunday.
<excellent... and a fine, beautiful and hardy butterflyfish. Should me easy to find another home for it if the need
should ever arise. A great fish>
My question this time is regarding the
quarantine/food training procedure. As is pointed out in the butterflyfish
chapter in Mr. Fenner's Conscientious Book, butterflies may be quite picky
and should be offered a variety of foods while in quarantine.
<true of most butterflies indeed. But Raccoons in general are VERY hardy and adaptable. If the one you buy at your LFS is eating at the shop (as it should be) then
don't be afraid to fast it after the first few days to a week to encourage the feeding on anemones. Keep in QT for about one month>
Because my
new addition will purpose specific (hitman/hired gun), should I follow the
guidelines outlined in the book or let nature take its course and wait for
Sammy "THE BULL" Butterflyfish to figure out that these pest anemones are
breakfast, lunch and dinner?
<thoughtful... but may not be necessary. Still... lets assume that the butterfly will be shy or stressed at first and do pamper/follow protocol. After 5-7 days of good behavior and feeding, let the games begin :)!>
Thanks and best regards, Dave G.
<do let us know how it works out. Anthony>
Anemone ID
Attached is a pic of the little Anemone that popped
up outta nowhere a few weeks ago.
<yes... thank you for the pic... clearly and Anemonia cf. Majano. Not
at all a baby... nearly adult at this small size>
Must have been a hitchhiker on my live rock from a few months back.
<yes... commonly from Indonesian imports (live rock, coral, etc. This
little bugger is quite mobile and reproduces easily. Regarded as a pest by
some as it spreads... can burn some coral and other cnidarians. If it
doesn't reproduce to plague proportions...enjoy it. It fluoresces very
nicely under actinics>
It is only about the size of my thumbnail, and I have
no idea what kind of Anemone he is. I haven't been
able to find many pics on the net of very young
ones, so I ask for your assistance. Thanks.
<now you have a name to go with the tentacled face <smile>. Keep
reading, searching and learning my friend. Anthony Calfo> |
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Re: Query on query
> Bob... I did reply to that gent promptly (the little
> buggers are Anemonia "majano"... a mild nuisance).
> My
> fault... I have a habit of moving the mail with pics
> to the draft folder for whoever does the pasting and
> forgot to follow up (to see if the pics went with it
> or if the "paster" forgot to clear it so that I
> would).
> <Mmm, nice pix too... don't see under the "marine
> pests" areas... or Anemone
> FAQs... rats!>
Actually yes... they are becoming and ever more common
problem... in some cases reaching "Aiptasia" like
plague problems and requiring/resisting similar
treatments. As a rule though they are not so bad.
<Agreed. My experiences have been the same, second hand>
There is not much to say about these little buggers
that hasn't been covered with Aiptasia control. They
are Pacific (through Indonesian imports of coral)...
can be controlled inexpensively with larger angels
(Ha!) like Emperor's... heehee. Perhaps writing a
little blurb on them will be faster/easier than
finding the reply to this post <G>
<Will ask that Barb move your input here to new "Other Pest Anemone" FAQs section I'll create tomorrow>
> I hope your spinning stops soon... heehee. You
> should
> be able to recuperate in just enough time for your
> next flight out to an aquarium society meeting or
> next
> dive trip!
> <Just my plan! Where would you like to go next?
> Steve, Deb sound like
> Cozumel... Bob F>
> Antoine
Awwww...shucks! Beggers can't be choosers. I will
happily go with the flow if the sun shines and and I
am guided so. The Caribbean sounds nice although
hurricane season doesn't. If you believe the
forecasters 40% accurate predictions, this summer is
supposed to be a real pisser. Given to vote on an
alternate... Fiji is the cost is reasonable enough us.
<Actually, Fiji is about the same price... Let's keep chatting, saving. Bob F>
Antoine
Anemonia cf. Majano ("little green polyps/anemones")
Hello everyone,
<whasssup, Rob? Anthony>
Hope all is going well! I have a polyp problem, what started as a couple pretty polyps on a rock are now everywhere and stinging my expensive corals. I'm not sure what type polyps they are, although I have included a picture of them. I don't think they are
Aiptasia, as these are very colorful green to dark green with pink tips.
<thank you for the pics... they are Anemonia cf. Majano. A minor pest anemone from Indonesia>
My question is how do I stop/remove them? A couple of them attached to the base of a hard coral and were stinging so much that the coral stopped opening.
<yes, they are very irritating>
I tried to remove them with forceps, but as soon as you touch them the shrink up.
<and by lacerating them you may cause fission. Yikes!>
I had to pull the coral out and brush the polyps off using a toothbrush and it literally took five or so minutes before the base of the polyp finally came off. Is there an easier way to rid these polyps, like injecting them with something/an predator?
<aquarists are just now exploring the possibilities of natural predators for this pest. Until know all of the laborious
applications used on Aiptasia (read WWM archives on these anemones) have been tried...no less laborious...Ha! One interesting predator that I have heard is a juvenile Emperor angel! Hardly an inexpensive solution.
Generally not very reef safe unless under 5" too. If you ever wanted one, perhaps consider it... but that is hardly practical. The best bet with this pest is controlled feeding (sloppy foods for other fishes and corals in the tank help Anemonia thrive) and nutrient control (aggressive skimming). Such will temper the spread of this
little beast. In time, I'm sure someone will discover a less expensive/more reliable natural predator. Best regards, Anthony>
Thank you, Rob
Re: What is this anemone?
Bob:
I put the pictures out on the internet if you are curious as to what these
things look like... you can click on the following link:
http://www.softresc.com/anemone.asp
Thanks again for your help....
Jim
Hmm, do look like... Actinia equina... and not really an undesirable sort of animal really... I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to get rid of them. Here's my fave pic of this species.
Bob Fenner |
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Re: What is this anemone?
Bob:
Appreciate the identification. Looks very much like the picture you
provided. Not a bad looking anemone - but to go from 1 to 20 in five years
makes one concerned about the next five years.
<You'd be shocked (maybe) to experience those pesky Aiptasia... have seen them go from undetected to literally hundreds in a few months!>
They are a nuisance in that
they grow on the underside of hard corals and interfere with other organisms
by their close proximity. Tried getting one out by grabbing the stem with
needle nose pliers - but boy they retract fast. Also tried the hot water
trick - thought I killed it, but was back in a few days. Could try a
butterfly but don't know why it wouldn't eat the good stuff as well. Could
remove the rocks and scrub them - but most have polyps and macro-algae that
I want to keep.
<Try the Peppermint Shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni trick first... two individuals, and keep your eyes on them>
Anyway, have read your articles - if you come up with any ideas please pass
them along...
Thanks, Jim >>
<Be chatting, Bob Fenner>
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