🌸 Aiptasia Anemones

Aiptasia, also known as glass anemones or rock anemones, are one of the most common and persistent pests in reef aquariums. These small, fast-reproducing anemones can quickly overrun a tank, stinging corals and competing for space. While a single Aiptasia may seem harmless, they can multiply into hundreds in a matter of weeks.

📋 Quick Facts

🔍 Identification

Aiptasia have distinctive features that separate them from desirable anemones:

• Translucent body - Clear to brown, glass-like appearance
• Long, pointed tentacles - Numerous thin tentacles around oral disc
• Column shape - Elongated stalk that can retract quickly
• Found in crevices - Often emerge from holes in rockwork
• Fast retraction - Pulls into rock instantly when disturbed
• Reproduce rapidly - One becomes many within weeks

Similar Species

• Majano anemones - Similar pest, more colorful, bulbous tentacle tips
• Ball anemones - Beneficial, ball-tipped tentacles
• Colonial hydroids - Often mistaken, feathery appearance

⚠️ Why They're Problematic

• Powerful sting - Can damage and kill neighboring corals
• Asexual reproduction - Reproduce from fragments, impossible to tear apart
• Pedal laceration - Leave behind tissue that grows into new anemones
• Rapid spread - Can infest entire tank in weeks
• Hardy survivors - Tolerate poor conditions that stress other inhabitants
• Unsightly - Detract from tank aesthetics

💊 Treatment Options

1. Biological Control - Peppermint Shrimp

The most popular natural solution:

• Add 1 peppermint shrimp per 10-20 gallons
• Species matters: Lysmata wurdemanni eats Aiptasia; L. boggessi may not
• Works best when shrimp are hungry (don't overfeed tank)
• May not eat large Aiptasia
• Generally reef-safe but may occasionally nip at corals
• Best for prevention and small infestations

2. Biological Control - Berghia Nudibranch

Specialized Aiptasia predators:

• Extremely effective - eat only Aiptasia
• Add 1 nudibranch per 4-8 Aiptasia
• Introduce at night near Aiptasia colonies
• Reproduce if food is plentiful
• Downside: Die off after Aiptasia eliminated (no other food source)
• Predators: Keep away from wrasses, which will eat them
• More expensive but very effective for large infestations

3. Biological Control - Copperband Butterflyfish

• Many individuals eat Aiptasia voraciously
• Not guaranteed: Some individuals ignore Aiptasia
• Difficult to keep long-term (specialized feeder)
• May nip at corals, especially feather dusters and clams
• Best for fish-only or FOWLR tanks with Aiptasia problems

4. Chemical Injection - Aiptasia-X / Joe's Juice

Commercial products designed to kill Aiptasia:

• Turn off flow before treatment
• Slowly inject product into oral disc
• Aiptasia ingests product and dies
• Wait 5-10 minutes before resuming flow
• Very effective for accessible Aiptasia
• Reef-safe when used as directed
• May require multiple treatments

5. DIY Chemical Treatments

• Kalkwasser paste - Mix calcium hydroxide to paste, inject into anemone
• Lemon juice - Inject concentrated lemon juice
• Boiling water - Syringe of very hot water (careful with tank temp)
• Superglue - Cover completely, smothering the anemone
• Note: All DIY methods risk spreading if not done carefully

6. Laser Treatment

• High-powered laser pointer burns Aiptasia
• Effective for hard-to-reach specimens
• No chemicals in water
• Requires appropriate eye protection
• Can damage corals if not careful

7. Physical Removal

• Remove entire rock and scrub/bleach outside tank
• Only option for heavily infested rock
• Risk of spreading fragments if done in tank
• Never tear or crush Aiptasia - fragments become new anemones

⏱️ Treatment Strategy

🛡️ Prevention

• Quarantine everything - Inspect live rock, coral frags, even equipment
• Dip coral frags - Use coral dip before adding to display
• Inspect carefully - Look in holes and crevices of new additions
• Keep peppermint shrimp - Preventive measure for small hitchhikers
• Act fast - Remove immediately when spotted; don't let them multiply
• Dry live rock - Consider using dry rock for new setups

❌ Common Mistakes

• Tearing or crushing Aiptasia (spreads them)
• Waiting too long to treat (exponential reproduction)
• Getting wrong peppermint shrimp species
• Overfeeding tank when using biological controls
• Using Berghia with wrasses present
• Incomplete injection allowing survival

📚 Summary

Aiptasia are a persistent pest but very manageable with the right approach. For small numbers, chemical injection is fast and effective. For larger infestations, biological controls like Berghia nudibranchs provide thorough eradication. Prevention through quarantine and inspection is the best long-term strategy. Act quickly when you spot them - a single Aiptasia today can become a hundred next month.