Aiptasia (I think) 10/1/09
Good Morning Crew,
<Hi Matt>
I have a quick question this morning. The other day I noticed what may have looked like one lonely aiptasia on a piece of my live rock that I just purchased. I decided to let it go for a few days just to make sure. Now, this morning, I checked the tank and it was not there. I looked around and found it halfway across the tank!!! Do these pests move around like that.
<Not that fast.>+
I have had a TON of them before that just multiplied like crazy but have never moved on me. Now I am not sure if that is what this is or not.
<And?>
Thanks for your help.
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Matt

Identification Question, Aiptasia 8/14/09 Hello, <Hi> I wrote this question a week ago and don’t know if it was received (I say this because I asked a boxfish related question the night before that email and it was answered in a couple of hours) but I have a identification question of this sea anemone looking thing that is in my tank. Can you tell me what it is? Thanks!! Jeff <Looks like an Aiptasia to me, see here for more http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm .> <Chris>

Anemone, What Is It 6/21/09 Hi I have 3 small clear Anemones. I have not been able to ID them. Attached is a pic of them. Could you let me know what they might be. Are the Bad or good Anemones? <Appears to be a species of Glass Anemone, not desirable. See re here. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/index.htm Scroll down... to Aiptasia...> Thanks <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> <<Time for new spectacles James... see the skeletons underneath? This is a solitary Caryophylliid... RMF>> Dan

Aiptasia?  6/8/09 Hi Guys, <And ladies> Long time reader, first-time question asker here! <Come on down!> I have had my 16-gallon aquarium going for about 9 months and I came across these tentacled creatures today. It would seem that I had a few aiptasia anemones in my tank, but I am hoping they might be something different. <Mmm, no... are Glass Anemones of one sort or t'other> The peppermint shrimp in the tank got rid of the anemones that came with my live rock soon after the shrimps were introduced. The tentacles on these animals seem to be attached to a hard base with a zigzag-edged shape. Any thoughts? <I need to buy a better brand of instant coffee... or get a roomie that likes drip... or... maybe a better deal on Diet Coke... but then again... See here: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm "& the linked files above"> With thanks, Peter Robertson <Velkommen! Bob Fenner>

Aiptasia? Please Help 4/20/09 I am sending a picture, it is not very clear. Can anyone tell me what these things are, and what I can do to get rid of it. I was told Berghia Nudibranchs would help. <Not aiptasia, picture a little blurry, but they appear to be fan worms, Bispira. I call them cluster dusters, and are safe, no need to get rid of them, desirable. James (Salty Dog)>

Aiptasia? 4/16/09 After discovering this anemone in my tank I read everything on your website about aiptasia. It does look a lot like how you describe it and it looks like some of the pictures of aiptasia on your website. I just want to be totally sure it is your "least favorite anemone" before I have to get rid of it using Stop Aiptasia from Chem-Marin. Thank you for your help identifying this anemone. < Looks like one to me as well. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm Please remember to use any chemicals in moderation.....Adam Jenkins > -Ray Fuller

Aiptasia? Please Tell Me It Isn't So! – 03/22/09 Hi there. <<Hello>> I hope everyone there is having a great weekend so far. <<Can only speak for myself but yes, not so bad>> I absolutely love WWM and have found it extremely helpful. <<Ahh…is redeeming to know>> I was looking in my tank tonight and noticed these creatures. The first thing that popped into my head was ahhh no is this the dreaded aiptasia? <<Hmm…looking at the picture, I’m not sure>> I just started my tank about 5 weeks or so ago and have been working on getting the stuff together slowly. I only have around 20 lbs. of live rock that I purchased from my LFS. There are around 5 or 6 of these on the rock so far. I looked at as many pictures as I could in the archives and in books. From what I have seen there are tons of different aiptasia "types" and couldn't find the exact picture of mine. <<The photo provided is not really close enough or sharp enough for me to tell for sure. These “could” be Aiptasia but I don’t think so. They could also be Anemonia Majano, or a Hydroid; which some folks consider to be a worse scourge than Aiptasia (try some keyword searches on those names and see what you think). But to me, these polyps look to be Scleractinian rather than Actinarian (hard corals vs. anemones/similar animals) as it appears there is a “skeletal structure” surrounding each (or maybe it’s just the photo). I’ll ask Bob to comment re if he sees this>> <Mmm, is a Scleractinian... perhaps solitary Caryophylliid... I'd leave alone.RMF> I was sort of hoping it would be something else like possibly some sort of worm? <<Not a worm…but quite possibly a “desirable” hitchhiker>> I fear I am wrong though and wanted an expert opinion. <<I can’t be sure without a better resolved close-up photo>> I thought I had taken precautions against these pests. <<These may not be the “pest” you fear…though it is essentially impossible to keep Aiptasia from eventually showing up in a system, in my opinion. Best to be vigilant…and to have a plan>> I have 3 peppermint shrimp, and some red legged hermits, apparently mine don't eat these so hopefully it will be ok? <<I have always found such “biological controls” for Aiptasia to be unreliable and of little use. For Aiptasia/pest anemone control I very much recommend the use of Red Sea’s Aiptasia-X>> I have read emerald crabs eat these too. <<Not in my experience>> Maybe I'll be buying one of those? <<The money will be better spent on the Aiptasia-X>> I planned on changing my CC substrate to a DSB in the morning but now am unsure of what to do. I read a lot of posts where people get these epidemics and can't seem to get rid of them. <<Based on the photo, you hardly have an epidemic>> Should I remove the rock and let everything die off and never buy rock from this LFS again? <<Mmm, no…a bit drastic and unnecessary in my opinion>> Please tell me it isn't aiptasia. <<Can’t say for sure. Get a bottle of the Aiptasia-X and if they continue to spread or if it just makes you feel better, you can get rid of them. Otherwise, I would be inclined to watch/enjoy them for a while and see what develops>> Thank you very much for your time and help. <<Quite welcome>> I don't have any friends in this hobby yet and don't trust the guys at my LFS after selling me the CC substrate and now this ugh. <<The local fish stores (or anyone for that matter) don’t always have all the right answers or provide the “best” advice…and don’t forget they also need to make a buck. Some stores are certainly better than others, but regardless of which is available to you; do your research ahead of time and learn to rely upon yourself and your own good judgment>> Thanks again. Roman <<Regards, EricR>>

Aiptasia on my purchased coral frag? – 03/07/09 Good evening, <And you, now Sat. AM> I bought some Fiji LR for my tank a few months back. Over time, I've been spotting what is /obviously/ Aiptasia. <Mmmm> They're white'ish, opaque, with jelly-looking clear tentacles, pop up like weeds randomly, never larger than the head of a thumbtack. Once in a while I get a brown-hued one. I lemon-juice them and they never come out of the same hole again (hurray!) but a new one will pop up from time to time somewhere else. <There are better chemical remedies than citrus... My current fave: AiptasiaX by Red Sea> I have a Coral Banded Shrimp, or I'd have already assaulted the aiptasia with a couple peppermint shrimp. If (when) I upgrade and purchase a larger tank, I think the CBS will stay in the current tank, and some peppermints will be hired for control duty in the main display. <Okay> ... anyway ... I purchased a nice looking Dendrophyllia recently (my first official coral - and its fun to watch it eat when I feed him). I noticed, though, when I got it home, that there was a funny grey polyp-looking thing on the base of the rock my Dendro was attached to. I thought maybe I got a freebie hitchhiker coral of some kind. I directed a little current at it with a turkey-baster, and it retreated into a lil' ball, looking like a grey-tinted plastic trash bag. ("Hefty! Hefty! Hefty!") <Heee! We're indoctrinated... okay, brain-washed> Since then, though, I've seen it actually walk AROUND the base of the rock it is attached to, but never setting foot on the sand. Totally not a coral ... obviously an anemone? <Mmm, yes...> Because it is unattractive and grey could it be a "large" and different species of aiptasia I haven't come in contact with on my Fiji LR? <Possibly> Should I eradicate the lil guy? <I would not... just in case this is something you might well consider valuable later...> I'd rather not kill it if it /isn't/ aiptasia, obviously, but I don't want it killing my Dendro (which has seemed pouty the last couple days and refused to come out - but I blamed it on my fish knocking the rock over and covering it in sand) or causing an explosion of evil bigger aiptasia in my tank. <This would do it> This thing is maybe dime-sized when fully expanded, and it seems to LOVE poofing out and expanding. I'm attaching cruddy pictures taken with my camera-phone. I'd love to get you better ones, but my friend's digital camera gets drown out by the T5s, and my own is so old it doesn't focus through glass. lol To kill ... or not to kill ... ~J. <Not in my opinion. Bob Fenner>

Horrible Aiptasia outbreak... summat else likely    2/22/09
Hello crew. Let me start by saying I have been using your site for 4 years now. I have also recently purchased one of your books. I truly believe what you are doing is a great service to all marine hobbyists. Now on to the problem. I recently set up my first reef tank. 90 gallons with 150lbs of live rock. The tank is thriving all levels at zero. Calcium and alkalinity are balanced and being maintained. One of the rocks that I purchased from my LFS had some yellow button polyps on it which drew me to purchase it. After adding the rock to my tank i noticed some brown aiptasia growing all around the button polyps. Trying to be proactive I took the rock out of my display and split off the part of the rock that had aiptasia. i saved the button poly portion of the rock and put it back into my display. This is when the problem started. Days after dividing the rock I saw one clear glass anemone on the side of my tank.
<Oooh>
Because it was only one i choose not to cause a stir, and gave it a few more days. Days later they were about 25 of these pin sized clearish white glass anemone. I then began doing all my research and found out that this was indeed glass anemone. During this time i did one water change and decided to clean the front glass. At this point there were only maybe 25 -30 of these small creatures. After the water change a week went by and literally hundreds more popped up. My entire front glass in covered with them not to mention the back and sides.
<Mmm... might be summat else>
They are very small and not noticeable until you get up close to the glass. The first one is larger that all the rest and growing. OK.....so i introduced 2 Berghia Nudibranch. I continue seeing
them on just one rock in the tank then disappearing for days. My questions
are with so many anemones on the glass how will i get rid of them all?
<Don't know that these are Aiptasia... could you send a well-resolved pic?>
The Nudibranch have been in the tank for about 2 weeks and i have yet to see them on the glass where the majority of the problem is. Should i be worried about this?
<Worried? No...>
Should I just wait for them to make there way?
<I wouldn't, no>
I would like to introduce peppermint shrimp, however I do not for see them eating anemone off the glass.
<They can "swim" if interested...>
I have 5 LPS and a cleaner crew with emeralds, red legs, and blue banded crabs. NO fish yet as this tank has only been up for 2 months.
What do you think is my best bet?
<The image...>
I can not clean the glass anymore. I have already read Bob Fenner's article on them. What should I do? Please help?
<I'll gladly take a look at that photo now... At the very worst, you might be self-compelled to remove your desired livestock, bleach the system, go the "do-over" route... But let's see the close up pic. Bob Fenner>

Aiptasia On Decorator Crab? 1/27/09 <Hello Danny> Attached are two pictures of an anemone located on the head of my decorator crab. After researching WWM I am still having trouble determining if this is aiptasia. The mouth of this anemone is pink and the pattern on the "disc" part of the anemone resembles that of those pictured on the website, but seems to have some differences. The outer white ring is segmented by the same dark brown color as the next ring, inward. Also, the base of this anemone is nearly as wide as the "disc" part, in the pictures I've seen as far as I could tell the bases were skinnier. Is this decorator crab's "Mohawk" really just a glass anemone? <Your pictures do not provide enough detail to ID. The first pic, (47KB) is much too small and after zooming in provides little to go on. The second pic, a little better (101KB) isn't clear enough. In fact, I really couldn't detect an anemone. The anemone on the crab could be most any, as decorator crabs are opportunistic as far as what they place on them. They are known to place sponges, algae, Zoanthid polyps, soft corals, etc. When sending pics, it is best to downsize to 200-300KB and send clear/detailed pics.> Thanks for your time, <You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)> Danny

Another question on Aiptasia 9/13/08 Howdy, Like many others I have spent quite a bit of time on your website trying to figure out if the new critters in my tank are aiptasia, or just cool hitch hikers. <Mmm, both apparently> I have attached a couple of pix of the critters, what are they? The full size images, and a couple of others, can be found at http://william1034.smugmug.com/gallery/5953919_KwMDp/1/371158035_koj2T (Taking pictures of the little critters is no easy task) <Glass anemones> Our tank is about 6 months old. It is 30gal with Tunze Nano Reef Pack skimmer and Nano Stream 6055 and controller, 70 Watt Metal Halide. We have some 'Shrooms, torch, bubble, clove, and Zoanthus corals. <Mmm, these are not all corals...> We also have a cleaner shrimp, serpent star, goby and mated tiger pistol shrimp (this is our favorite part of the tank), and a bangi cardinal. Ammonia - 0ppm Nitrite - 0ppm Nitrate - ~8 to 12 ppm Salinity - 1.024 pH - 8.0 - 8.2 dKH - 8 Temp ~76 I do weekly water changes of 15 to 20 percent. We feed Arcti-pods and DTs plankton every 3rd day. So far our critters are only on the one rock and the oyster. The rock they are on is one of our base rocks and we cannot remove it from the tank for treatments. I do not like using chemicals in my tanks. <Mmm, this universe is only made out of such, energy and space> Since I will never be rid of them I am going to try and control the nutrient levels. <Mmm, do look into Red Sea's new product for... Aiptasia X... really does work> I have been doing freshwater tanks for about 5 years. I currently have a planted 90g tank. We started our SW tank 6 months ago, this is amazing!! <Ahh!> Once we become successful with the small SW we plan on moving to a 185 to 215g SW tank. We will turn our formal living room into a fish room. <Yeeikes! You've got the bug!> Thanks for your help and wonderful website. - William P.S. Here is a link to some additional pictures of our tanks. http://william1034.smugmug.com/Aquariums <Thank you for sharing. Bob Fenner>

Glass anemone? Aiptasia? 07/02/08 hi - just wondering if you thought this was aiptasia? <It looks like it to me.> I know the angle is tough but I could take another photo if need be... http://spial.org/photos/20080701-3.jpg So far I only have this "one" anemone in the tank that I can find. I have a peppermint shrimp in my 29 gallon tank - perhaps that one little shrimp (I got a small shrimp under the guise it might live longer than one that is big and halfway through its life) is taking care of new anemones and they never get off the ground. <The Aiptasia will thrive, I assure you! ;-)> For a 29 gallon tank would 1 shrimp suffice? <For killing the Aiptasia, I would not rely on the shrimp. Do try to kill it yourself (with Kalk paste or lemon juice or whatever works). Please see: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm> I'd rather not have the shrimp eating up my corals. <unlikely> I have 5 tiny blue legged hermit crabs and 1 red legged hermit crab. My tank is roughly 2 months old - my refugium has a very healthy crop of Chaetomorpha (tripled in size in 1 month) - there's some fine hairs of algae clinging to the back glass of the tank but mostly just single strands about an inch long. I'm hoping that the Chaetomorpha will starve out the algae over time. I have no fish and the only thing that goes into the tank is water. I have considered trying to find some Berghia but the perils of shipping these things during the hot summer months <not worth it for just a few Aiptasia> makes me think twice - but living in Boston the cold winters probably aren't so great for them either. Do you think I should pursue Berghia or just let the peppermint shrimp patrol the waters and get Berghia if I suffer an outbreak of aiptasia? <If you just have this one (or possible a couple/few) of these things, I would first try simply killing them yourself before resorting to more drastic measures.> thanks, Jason <De nada, Sara M.>

A very nice pic. RMF

Re: LPS or Aptasia?? 5/16/08
I will be adding new pictures every few days if you want to keep on eye on things, Monday will probably be my next batch after today's. I have seriously busy weekends
Bridget
http://www.drekster.com/myrescues/whatamI.htm
<Ok, thanks. I do think it's Aiptasia or some other type of "pest" anemone.. -Sara M.>

An adequate test for aiptasia? ID   4/7/08
hi crew,
<<Hello, Andrew today>>
thanks for such a wonderful site.
<<Thanks for the kind comments>>
I just have a quick question regarding some new developments in my tank. I noticed the other day that there were a few small polyps starting to grow on a rock that is about as inaccessible as possible. It is almost impossible to get a picture of them, but they are small brownish polyps that look quite a bit like baby palys or maybe zoas. they could also look like some baby rock anemones...
<<Sounds feasible>>
I can't get a really close look without tearing apart my rock work, so I came up with a little test that i just wanted to run by you guys.
<<Ahhhhh...here comes the science part...he he he>>
To make a long story short, I kind of poked one of them with the end of a chopstick (the only thing I had that would fit in between the
rocks) to see what they would do.
<<Ok>>
The theory here is that rock anemones will retreat into a crevice in a rock, and zoas or palys will just curl up the skirt, but the stalk
will not retract into a hole. Anyway, the mystery polyp in question curled up its skirt, rather than retreat into a rock, indicating that
is most likely is not a pest anemone (at least according to my highly unscientific test).
<<I would agree>>
In you opinion is this sufficient, or should i pull apart the rock work to get a closer look?
<<Personally, i would prefer to have a better look, and do confer with our online photo's, linked articles and FAQ's here
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm >>
thanks again, Jon
<<Thanks for the questions, hope this helps. A Nixon>.

Uh-Oh! Is this Aiptasia?  2/22/08 Hi Bob and Crew. <<G'Morning, Andrew here>> I was wondering if you might be able to tell me whether or not this is aiptasia? I couldn't get a very good picture because it is so small - about 3/4 inch total. There is only one that I can see. It is to the right of the little polyp rock. I have had this live rock for almost a year now - and this thing has just shown up now. I'd like to make sure it is aiptasia because I do not want to harm it if it is not a problem. <<Yes, that is an aiptasia you have there. Suggest removal. Please review here in the links articles and FAQ's for more information. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm >> Thanks so much for everything you guys do here! We need you! <<Thanks for the questions. A Nixon>>

Cnidarian Identification 2-1-08 Hello. <Hello. Yunachin here.> Can you please help me tell whether the attached photo is an anemone or a coral? We've had this piece of live rock for 6 months or more and originally thought this was a coral. Yesterday, however, I noticed that it aggressively moves to take food that drifts nearby and very quickly takes the food into a hole in the center of its body. I thought only anemones did that, so now it's got me wondering, which one is this? I've checked your site for Cnidarian identification help, but I am still unclear which this is. <This is in fact a type of anemone, Aiptasia. It is a common site in marine aquariums and if not removed can become a very troublesome tenant, even multiplying. Peppermint Shrimp are a good choice as are Red Legged Hermit Crabs if you are searching for something to devour this pest. Here is a link to help you learn more about them and methods to eradicate them if you choose: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/Aiptasia/aiptasia.htm ;> Thanks, <You’re welcome!> Stephanie Re: Mystery Cnidarian: Aip. contr.  2-2-08 Hello Yunachin, <Hello again!> Thanks for the response. I read (and read, and read some more) on your site now that I know what kind of anemone we're dealing with. I definitely want to get rid of it immediately, but I'm concerned about my corals. We have a large variety of big, beautiful corals that were also quite expensive. It sounds like the peppermint shrimp and/or the hermit crab will eat those indiscriminately, in addition to the Aiptasia. Is that the case? <I have never experienced any problems with TRUE Peppermint Shrimp eating corals. The problem is they are sometimes mislabeled and are really Camelback shrimp, which will taste your corals. Worry not though as they are easily distinguished, the Peppermint Shrimp being a much lighter color than the Camelbacks. As I see, the only danger of adding the shrimp is they might be at risk of getting eaten by any current livestock you have already. As far as the Red Legged Hermit, they too will leave your corals alone and go on scavenging for algae and Cyanobacteria. They may become food if you have puffers though. Other than that you are in the clear! Good Luck with your new clean-up crew.---Yunachin> Stephanie Well, that's good news then, thanks for your help! <You're welcome! --Yunachin>

And it's free! RMF

Aiptasia Maybe? (I Don’t Think So) – 11/10/07
Hi kids,
<<Hiya Vicky>>
I am sorry to have to bug you, and thanks in advance for your time.
<<No worries, you’re quite welcome>>
I am trying to ID some little guys I just noticed in my tank a couple of nights ago.
<<I’m sure you are aware inclusion of a photo or two would have helped…>>
When I first saw them, I immediately thought "Oh no, glass anemones!!!" But I'm not sure.
<<Oh?>>
These things are really small. I have been going through your site forever (ok, maybe just an hour or two), and while I have learned what big ones look like, critters that might eat them, and several ways to get rid of them, I have not been able to confirm this is what I have. Granted there is a ton of info to read through,
<<Indeed>>
and I'm really sorry if I missed it. I just can't find any kind of reference to what "baby" Aiptasia might look like.
<<Ah…quite simple to identify really as they are miniature versions of their larger brethren>>
I tried to take some pics, but they are just too small, and I couldn't get a clear shot.
<<I see>>
At this point they poke about half a centimeter away from the rock. There is a small group of 6 or so in an area about 2-inches around. They are very anemone-ish....stalk with a crown of tentacles around it. Completely clear. A little tinge of white on the stalks, but otherwise completely see-through. The tentacles seem to be just one row on the outside edge. A little smaller around than a pencil eraser. When they are fully stretched out, the tentacles are about half as long as the base. I'm afraid that's about all the detail I can get...they are really small. They only come out at night, and when there is light, they completely "poof!" disappear.
<<Hmm…not likely to be Aiptasia then as they are decidedly not “light-shy”>>
My dilemma is that if they are these little nasties that I have just read so much about, I certainly don't want to wait till they get bigger so I can match them to any of the pics I've seen. But if they are something harmless, I don't want to destroy them. Help!! :-)
<<I don’t think these are Aiptasia, though they may well still be “little nasties.” It’s possible what you have are a species of Hydroid or maybe Majano Anemones (though the latter usually shows some “color”), which, are in many ways worse than Aiptasia in their stinging potency and difficulty to control/eradicate (do try a Google keyword search on these names and see what you think). It is also possible these are simply a small undescribed Cnidarian that won’t be a problem at all. The key is whether they multiply and cause problems with your other (more desirable) livestock. You can enjoy them/keep an eye on them for now and see what develops…or you can go ahead and deal with them…it’s up to you>>
Thanks again for your time, and thank you all soooo much for this site, it is the single most informative web site to ever exist for any reason. :-) I do not do/buy a thing before researching it here first.
<<Happy to help…and thank you for the kind words>>
Vicky
<<Regards, EricR>>

Aiptasia ID/Refugium Cycle – 07/24/07
Good morning Crew.
<<Greetings Andy>>
I have two questions that I wanted to run by you.
<<Okay>>
A few months ago, I e-mailed a picture of an anemone that I noticed on a piece of live rock. It was small, so Bob had a hard time identifying it but guessed that it was a "rock anemone". I Googled "rock anemone" but wasn't able to find a picture that looks exactly like the anemone that I have (actually, there are three on the same rock, in close proximity to each other--they are very small. The largest is maybe 1/2" across. I've been carefully watching this piece of rock now for 3 months to make sure that it doesn't start sprouting new anemones, just to be safe. So far, I haven't noticed any multiplication of organisms.
<<Okay>>
Anyway, today I was Googling "Aiptasia" and found a picture that IS my anemone.
<<Oh?>>
It's the 5th picture at
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/organismstoavoid.html
<http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/organismstoavoid.html> .
As you can see, this website claims that my anemone is indeed Aiptasia, and I was wondering if you agree.
<<You are in the best position to make that assertion. Aiptasia are VERY common in the hobby. These are definitely an Aiptasia species and if this is what your anemone looks like, well then...>>
If so, I'll begin the extermination process.
<<Better now than later...>>
Most Aiptasia I have seen are cream colored and clear with no striations like the one in this picture and have long, wavy/flimsy looking tentacles--very different than the anemone shown in this picture.
<<Differing species>>
Second question relates to my refugium. I set it up within the last month. It’s 30-gallons with a deep sand bed, a few pieces of live rock and some Chaetomorpha.
<<Sounds good>>
So far things are going well--it is teaming with Copepods and this morning I noticed several creatures that look like Amphipods scurrying around the sand.
<<Very likely>>
However, green/brown Diatom algae is starting to cover my sand, and I was wondering whether I should let this algae run its cycle or add some snails or other organisms that won't prey on my pods to clean it up?
<<You can do either, though “I” would not be concerned here and let the ‘fuge continue to cycle/increase its bio-diversity (including the diatoms).>>
Thanks!
Andy
<<Happy to assist. EricR>>
 

Aiptasia ID   1/22/06
Do any species of Aiptasia Anemones have red tips?
<None that I've ever encountered>
I have a chunk of live rock that is home to three or four little anemones with red tips, translucent green tentacles, and orangish/tan trunks. They are all currently the size of pennies. I'm a bit worried that I'm about to be hip deep in Aiptasia. I do have a bubble tip anemone in the tank as well.
Mike Lushbaugh
<See WWM re Anemonia majano... the Google search tool... Bob Fenner>

Re: Aiptasia   1/22/06
Thanks, my LFS agrees that it is majano. After consultation I performed a majanoectomy on my live rock, no traces remain. Thanks for the help.
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Anemone Question - 12/18/2005
Hi There,
<Howdy David!>
After 3 weeks of careful scrutiny my live rock has finally yielded up it's first offering of animated "life", at least other than copepods and various algae including a bubble algae and what looks like Caulerpa racemosa.  A mixed blessing!
<I doubt you need to worry about these. Without excess nutrients they'll just stay put, kind of like a picture.>
Anyway today I noticed what appeared to be the tentacles of an anemone protruding from a crevice, I investigated and sure enough, they are, it is.  But should I assume that as it has survived the various trials travel and curing rock that it is likely to be trouble and get rid of it before it can do any damage or adopt a wait and see attitude.
<I always like to wait and see. Again, without excess nutrients pest anemones won't get the chance to become a plague.>
I would prefer the latter as I have been waiting to see something from the rock and would hate to have to adopt the role of the great white hunter. I cannot see anything but the tentacles and they are about 1/2 to 3/4 inches long and more or less transparent (Aiptasia springs to mind).
<I agree, likely what you've got.>
What do you advise?
<Enjoy unless you notice a quick explosion.>  
Thanks in advance, again,
David
<Glad to help. - Josh (whose first brush with Aiptasia resulted in wonder, awe and the worst feeding spree ever seen)>

Aiptasia??? 11-29-05
Hi,
<Hello>
I'm an absolute newbie and your site is a great help. Thank you!  I'm working on setting up my very first saltwater aquarium. Almost all plumbing is done, equipment is being tested and everything ready to go. 
<Now the real fun begins.>
I purchased 50 pounds of live rock which now is being cured in a great big tub with a heater, power head and a skimmer. I was planning to set it in the main tank tonight to start cycling. However yesterday I saw a creature which first amused me.
<Don't they all.>
But today when I tried to identify it I realized it might be a baby Aiptasia.
<Not as amusing now I bet.>
It looks very much like ones on photos I found. It's very small, 1/4 of an inch. When I touched it it first hid it's tentacles and then detached itself from a rock, rolled itself in a bubble and down it went into the water. Now I'm wondering what would be the best way for me to proceed. I read a number of articles regarding the issue but could not find anything which suites my particular situation. First, I do not see the creature anymore. It's hiding.
<They will do that. Hopefully he has hooked on to your container and is not back in the rock.>
Second, I do not have tank set up yet so I can not use active predators. And most of all, I'm afraid to move the rock to the tank.  What do you think I should do?
<Put the rock in the tank. Just keep an eye out for him and nuke him with some Kalkwasser paste or Joe's Juice when he pops out.>
Thanks again for all your help!
Inna
<You're welcome, Travis>