sotvotkong

I have some things growing in my saltwater tank that were once like 1-2 of em and small and are now many and large... have no idea what they are, i didnt buy them thats for sure. wondering if there good or bad. or if there bad in such large numbers seeing how i think they feed through absorbing stuff in the water. and if there bad how do you get rid of them (perferably without hurting anything) the largest one is probly about 1inch across. heres a pic.

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/55625812/

Sniperelite8243

personaly, they look like anemones to me. thats my guess though.

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Nereaga

Thats what I thought but the picture wasn't the clearest to actually decipher a specific type....

sotvotkong

sorry my camera cant seem to take a better pic than that...tried for about 30 mins but there all out of focus or what not....but i hope the one i have up is good enough for someone to be able to say if there good or bad. They are spreading.

Bob Betzel

I'd say what you have there are BAD-it looks like aptasia to me. They aren't the end of the earth but they will proliferate and should be gotten rid of. I have found that they can be killed by concentrated kalkwasser squirted on them from a syringe. There are also other products made you can buy. If you attempt to squash them they will break into pieces and then you will have more than one. They are a type of anenome and can sting and kill other corals in your aquarium.

sotvotkong

well....

can they be killed by taking the rock there on out of the tank? there all on 1 rock still.. if i do the consentraited kawlkwasser stuff should i put it in a seperate container to soak it in that way the rest of the tank and fish dont have to be victim as well? Figure its best to deal with this asap. rather than later eh.

Nereaga

I would remove them asap before they get outta control like the 2 I have. Mine are 12'' when fully extended!!! I will be removing mine tom. You may remove just that one rock into another bin and use kalk that way. I have read about certain meds that will kill them and will not be harmful too your tank. Good Luck!! Brad

seainthecityorlando

They are aptasia and need to be removed asap as they will take over and sting your other tank inhabitants. There are several ways to kill aptasia:
(1) 3 or more peppermint shrimp. Be aware though that these will also eat feather dusters. They reportedly hunt in packs, so 1 or 2 probably won't do much.

(2) Copperband butterfly. Need a 120 or larger tank IMO to be happy and healthy.

(3) Kalk/lemon, boiling water: some have used these to cover the aptasia with or inject them with. Keep in mind that the water should be RO/DI and that the kalk can alter PH if too much is used.

(4) Remove rock to fresh water for several days. Yuck! Will kill the aptasia, but then will kill off most everything else as well.

(5) Joe's Juice: this is what I use. Just attack a few a day (will also alter PH so moderation is called for) and get the biggest ones first. Will take a while, but diligence will pay off.