FAQs on Eradicating Aiptasia Anemones: New, Novel Methods Related FAQs: Aiptasia ID 1, Aiptasia ID 2, Aiptasia ID 4, Aiptasia ID 5, & Cnidarian Identification, Anemone Identification, Aiptasia/Glass Anemones in General, Eradication by: Berghia Nudibranchs, Peppermint Shrimp, Butterflyfishes, Filefishes, Chemical Injection, Hypo/Hyper-Salinity. Related Articles: Impressions of Methods to Eliminate Pest Anemones by Steven Pro, Aquarium Culture of the Aeolid Nudibranch Berghia, Predator on the nuisance anemone Aiptasia By Anthony Calfo, Anemones, Cnidarians

New Print and eBook on Amazon:   Anemone Success Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Hello crew! Hermit eating Aiptasia       9/12/15 Hello Bob and team! <Howsit Renee?> I was just browsing your site reading up on Aiptasia controls and the Q&A postings and thought I could pass along a little experience of mine. Back when I was less informed and overfeeding my fish (thanks to your forum I've corrected the errors of my ways.... I think?), I had a little colony of Aiptasia sprout in my side-hanging overflow that went unnoticed for a very long time. The colony seemed to be confined to the little box so I just left them undisturbed as to not 'wake the beast'. I've kept a watchful eye on them and their progress through my sump. I really plan one day to purge them, but for now I let them remain. They're kinda cute all trapped in there. Anywhos. I digress. Every now and then a spore makes its way through the gauntlet of the sump, the fields of macro algae, and finally the return pump into the display tank, taking hold somewhere and making himself known. What's very interesting though is that I was mistakenly given a Dardanus Megistos in an order of small hermit crabs back when I first started my tank. He's been quite the little adventure to keep around! He's about the size of a baseball now, having filled out the largest shell I've been able to acquire, and has taken out a lawnmower blenny and dragon wrasse as unfortunate victims. He even likes to swat at my large Humu Humu if he gets too close. Brave little guy. What I've noticed is his love for the Aiptasia. He will violently attack and devour them on the regular. His love for them is the only reason I've left them unresolved in my overflow. They're his dietary supplement it seems! I just wanted to pass on a little first hand experience with these hairy monsters as very useful Aiptasia controls! <Thanks> Thanks for hosting such a resourceful site. My tank wouldn't be as successful as it is if it weren't for all your teams' help! Sincerely, Renee Godzilla, in his younger days. <Cheers! Bob Fenner>

Majano Wand (for 'pest' Palys too?) -- 08/19/11
Good afternoon WWM crew,
<<Morning Steven!>>
I have a 120 gallon reef tank attached to a 20 gallon sump. Unfortunately a good portion of my viable coral space has been overrun by Palythoa.
<<Ahh'¦I can certainly relate. I have dealt/am dealing with errant Palys and to a larger degree, out of control orange Rics. Both of which were hitchhikers that I allowed to get out of control 'before' dealing with them>>
In searching WWM, it appears that the only recommended method for combating these 'pests' safely is the physical removal of the rock from the tank and subsequent manual removal of the Palys.
<<Mmm, this is likely the 'most' thorough and safe method'¦but not the only thing that can be done. Though most anything you do short of the physical removal is likely going to be a continuous uphill battle>>
Unfortunately for me, the rocks that they've grown on are 'load bearing' in my aquascape.
<<Yup, know the feeling>>
Removing them would require me to virtually tear down the entire tank.
<<Indeed>>
I'm not sure I have the fortitude for that at this current juncture.
<<I understand>>
Recently, a product has come onto the market called the Majano Wand.
<<Have seen it>>
It evidently works well to kill Aiptasia and majanos.
<<So it would seem>>
Some users have even reported success killing Zoanthids and Palys.
<<Have heard this as well>>
Do you think this would be a viable solution to my problem, if I only killed a few Palys at a time?
<<If it does indeed work on the Palythoa. I have injected these with straight Lugol's solution only to have them recover in a week'¦very tough organisms. If you have the money to spend, then by all means give the wand a try. If this fails, I have found that 'repeated' injections and/or coating (every few days) with a thick Kalkwasser slurry will eventually knock them back for a while (this method works 'slightly' better on the pest Ricordea'¦another tough customer)>>
My intention would be to kill 5 or so, then immediately follow up with a water change and a fresh Polyfilter.
<<Should be fine>>
Repeat every week or so until the colony is back in check.
<<Worth trying'¦ Like you say, the alternative is to tear down your reef>>
Thanks for your time and all you do for the aquatic community,
Steven
<<A collaborative effort'¦happy to share, mate. Eric Russell>>

Re: Aiptasia Identification. now eradication... Baby baby light my fire!   4/15/11
Bob,
<LBC>
I tried all the various recommended remedies the remove the Majanos and I did not have any luck. However, I found something that did work well and wanted to share it. Using a small butane torch cigar lighter, I lift the rock partially out of the water, burn the Majano to a crisp and then put the live rock back into place.
<What's that slogan for the sandwich shoppe? "Crispy!">
This has eliminated my entire Majano problem without causing any ill effects to water chemistry or tank inhabitants. I have occasionally had one pop up, but when I do, I just incinerate it with the torch. Works great, no cell's or tissue left to spread the nuisance Majano with this method.
Les Currey
<"Take me higher!" Thanks, BobF>