Aiptasia (Glass Anemone)

Aiptasia are total reef tank pests and bring nothing good to your setup.

Today I will explain what they are, why they’re a problem for your entire tank, and how to get rid of them.

What Aiptasia Looks Like

Aiptasia are small anemones that look like tiny, see-through palm trees. They’ve got a slim polyp body with an oral disc surrounded by thin, pointy tentacles. Usually light brown or tan, some can be almost clear. They can exist in your tank as small as a few millimeters to about 2″ long.

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You might confuse Aiptasia with Majano anemones, but Aiptasia has sharp-tipped tentacles, while Majano tentacles are thicker with rounded tips. Majano also tends to be more colorful.

Another lookalike is the feather duster worm, but these have feathery structures coming out of an opaque tube instead of tentacles.

The dead giveaway for Aiptasia? They zip back into tiny rock holes super fast when bothered. This makes them a pain to get rid of.

Why They Dangerous For Your Reef Tank

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You might be thinking, “Why all the fuss?” Well, here’s why:

• Aggressive Behavior: Their stinging cells can harm nearby corals and other invertebrates, allowing them to outcompete desirable species for space and resources.
• Rapid Reproduction: They reproduce both sexually and asexually (through pedal laceration), which means they can multiply faster than you’d believe possible!
• Difficult to Control: Once established, their ability to regrow from tiny fragments makes complete eradication challenging.
• Impact on Tank Aesthetics: They can quickly cover large areas of rock and substrate, detracting from the visual appeal of your beautiful reef tank.

How Aiptasia Gets Into Your Tank

I love adding new corals and live rock, but that’s exactly where Aiptasia often hitch a ride.

• New Corals: They can hide on frag plugs or among the beautiful polyps of your latest coral purchase.
• Live Rock: Those tiny crevices in live rock make perfect hiding spots for them.
• Macroalgae: Even algae can be a sneaky carrier!

I know it can be tempting to skip quarantine when you’re excited about new additions. But skipping this step gives Aiptasia an open invitation to invade your tank.

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Once they’re in, watch out! A single Aiptasia can reproduce both sexually and asexually:

• Pedal Laceration: Tiny fragments break off and grow into new polyps.
• Reproduction: They release eggs and sperm into the water, leading to mass colonization.

Their resilience makes them tough little survivors.

What Aiptasia Eat

Aiptasia are opportunistic eaters with a varied diet. They mainly rely on photosynthesis through their symbiotic zooxanthellae algae for essential nutrients. They will also eat small planktonic organisms and organic particles like fish food.

Unfortunately, they can use their tentacles to catch tiny prey like copepods, rotifers, and other beneficial microorganisms. When food touches their tentacles, Aiptasia quickly pulls back, bringing the food to their mouth for digestion.

One reason Aiptasia are such successful “pests” is their ability to thrive on minimal food. They can survive and reproduce even in tanks with low nutrient levels, outcompeting more desirable coral species for resources.

Aiptasia Removal: Natural vs. Chemical

Whether you choose natural or chemical methods depends on your personal preference, tank setup, and severity of infestation. Many reef keepers find that combining both approaches yields the best results!

Method	Speed	Safety	Long-term Control
Natural	Slow	High	Good
Chemical	Fast	Moderate	Variable

Natural Methods

I prefer an organic approach, and there are natural predators that can be a great way to keep Aiptasia in check.

Here are some popular options to get rid of Aiptasia naturally:

Peppermint Shrimp

• Why They’re Great: Lysmata wurdemanni generally reef-safe and most mature adults will eat Aiptasia.
• How Many You Need: It’s usually recommended to stock at least three shrimp per 20 gallons of tank volume.
• Things to Watch Out For: While they’re pretty effective, they may not eliminate every single Aiptasia. You might actually purchase camelback shrimp, which don’t eat Aiptasia.

Berghia Nudibranch

• Why They’re Great: These nudibranchs feed exclusively on Aiptasia—talk about dedication!
• How Many You Need: Aim for one nudibranch per 10 gallons of tank volume.
• Things to Watch Out For: They’ll starve to death when all the Aiptasia are gone.

Bristle-tail Filefish

• Why They’re Great: Known to eat Aiptasia and can be quite effective over time.
• Things to Watch Out For: Takes time for them to start targeting the anemones and could nip on soft corals or LPS.

Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)

• Why They’re Great: Some individuals will eat Aiptasia, adding beauty and utility to your tank.
• Things to Watch Out For: They require experienced care and might not always accept prepared foods. Plus, not every copperband will go after Aiptasia.

Chemical Treatments

Always prioritize your safety by wearing protective gear like gloves and goggles during application.

Products You Can Buy:

• Red Sea Aiptasia-X: This adhesive compound prevents retraction during treatment and is safe for corals.
• NT Labs Anti-Aiptasia: Another solution that’s considered safe when used correctly.

DIY Solutions (use with caution):

• Lemon Juice Injection: Injecting fresh lemon juice directly into the oral disc can damage the anemone’s tissues.
• Calcium Hydroxide Paste (Kalkwasser): Mix with water and apply directly; effective, but handle with care due to potential pH changes.
• Hydrogen Peroxide Injection: Use extreme caution—inject only small amounts directly into the disk without releasing any into the water.

How to Use Chemical Treatments Safely

Here’s a quick rundown of how to apply them safely:

1. Choose the Right Product: Opt for commercial products designed specifically for Aiptasia removal. They’re usually safer for your reef tank inhabitants.
2. Turn Off Water Flow: Before applying any treatment, turn off your water flow. This helps prevent the chemicals from spreading throughout the tank.
3. Apply Directly: Use a syringe or applicator to target the Aiptasia directly at their base or oral disc. This ensures that you’re hitting them where it counts!
4. Wait Before Restarting Water Flow: Give it some time before turning the water flow back on—this allows the treatment to take full effect.
5. Monitor Your Tank’s Chemistry: Monitor your water parameters after treatment, as some chemicals can alter pH levels or other water parameters.
6. Repeat Until Gone: You may need to do multiple applications to get rid of stubborn colonies.

Frequently Asked Questions