Aiptasia among Zoas?

[reef2ledge]

It sure looks like it. New reefer going through the algae phase of a 40g. Tank is sparse and I’ve been watching like a hawk. Noticed this star shaped thing today between one of my 2 zoa frags. The zoas have been in the tank for over a month. Is it and should I isolate the frag? Not sure what to look for in the remainder of the tank. I have some cuc but no peppermint shrimp.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Yes that looks like a pest anemone.

 

[reef2ledge]

thanks. Removed the plug and waiting for it to reemerge. Any advice in terms of removing the plug? Planning on feeding it kalkwasser when it appears

 

[DED65]

You could cover it with krazy glue.

 

[kevgib67]

Berghia nudibranchs.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

You could cover it with krazy glue.

thats interesting. how? cover the whole thing? do you have to try to pick it out afterwards?

 

[DED65]

Just cover the mouth. The one issue is that if there is one, there are probably more!

 

[Jmp998]

Yes it is very common to get 'bonus' aiptasia with zoas; I have had this with multiple vendors. Try to get rid of it with super glue or whatever, but it is hard when they are between zoas.

If you can find someone local with berghia that you could borrow for a day or two, you could put the frag plug and berghia in a bucket overnight, let the berghia eat the aiptasia, then give them back or whatever. Otherwise berghia would be an expensive option to order, and if you release them in a large tank with a single aiptasia they may not find it before they starve. Berghia are best used for a tank with many aiptasia so they can breed an army of aiptasia hunters.