Are Aiptasia pests in a non-reef tank?

[kaybee]

When the intention is to NOT convert to a reef tank, would you still consider aiptasia to be pests?

I went to a public aquarium not to long ago and they had a display tank mislabled (the plate read "Tube Worms") but it was actually an aiptasia-infested display (with a couple of sea apples). It still was able to attract the admiration of the aquarium patrons:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

In an FOWLR home aquarium setting (with no intent to go reef) are aiptasia that bad? From another perspective they actually extremely hardy anemone's and effective filter-feeders.

[oldhead]

I would say that it's completely up to individual taste. Personally I find them unattractive. But if you like the way they look and wouldn't mind them in your tank then I say more power to you. Just realize that once they've infested your rock, you will need to nuke the rock or replace it should you ever desire to go reef. I admit that I had to laugh when you mentioned them as being hardy. I don't even think that sums it up, the phrase nearly indestructible comes to mind though.:hmm3grin2orange:

[rageybug]

After having to kill all of my LR (boiling) to rid my tank of aiptasia, I would say that they are bad news in any tank.

[saix88]

No they will not hurt your fish, so for YOU they are not a pest.

[kaybee]

After having to kill all of my LR (boiling) to rid my tank of aiptasia, I would say that they are bad news in any tank.

Reef tank, correct?

100% agreed that the presence of aiptasia would be detrimental in a reef aquarium (I'd stop at nothing to eradicate them from a reef tank), but are aiptasia actual pests in a non-reef tank? (and are they any different from bristleworms or pods which can be also be found in great numbers and aren't pretty).

I think a significant negative would be that it would be difficult to sell trade LR and other tank components in contact with the water in the event that the system had to be sold or broken down for whatever reason.

[unleashed]

Reef tank, correct?

100% agreed that the presence of aiptasia would be detrimental in a reef aquarium (I'd stop at nothing to eradicate them from a reef tank), but are aiptasia actual pests in a non-reef tank? (and are they any different from bristleworms or pods which can be also be found in great numbers and aren't pretty).

I think a significant negative would be that it would be difficult to sell trade LR and other tank components in contact with the water in the event that the system had to be sold or broken down for whatever reason.
That is the only negative thing I see.

However, many people don't realise that in large numbers, Aiptasia is extremely beneficial to any tank. I have seen reef tanks which don't have skimmers, just thousands of Aiptasia in the sump as filter feeders. Quite astonishing really.

In a FO or FOWLR tank, the same result could potentially be achieved. However, FOWLR tanks allow you to keep various non-reef safe fish which could potentially predate on your aiptasia (various angels and butterfly fish come to mind)

[rageybug]

I only know of two fish that will eat aiptasia... copper banded butterfly fish and matted filefish.

True, glass anemone will filter your water but they spread like nothing you've ever seen. They will 100% completely cover every inch of your LR. Forget about any kind of CUC as they can't get near the rocks.

[unleashed]

I can come up with a list of fish that will eat Aiptasia:

Copperband butterfly (not 100%, but most of the ones I've seen do eat the stuff)
Matted Filefish
Raccoon Butterfly
Declivis Butterfly
Tinker's Butterfly
Burgess Butterfly
Miratus Butterfly
Pretty much most species of butterfly
Most species of angel excluding Paracentropyge sp., Centropyge sp. and Genicanthus sp. but this doesn't totally exclude the three listed.
Various species of wrasses and puffers
Just to name a few

Majano and Aiptasia in a FOWLR tank, provided certain species of fish are kept, are no problem. Even in a reef tank they are really no problem unless your parameters are off

[rageybug]

Majano and Aiptasia in a FOWLR tank, provided certain species of fish are kept, are no problem. Even in a reef tank they are really no problem unless your parameters are off


Are you kidding me??? Not a problem in a reef tank???

If water parameters are spot on, the glass anemone will do even better. Have you ever seen a tank full of aiptasia? Show me a reef tank with aiptasia that isn't a problem....

[unleashed]

Have you ever seen a tank full of aiptasia?

Yes

Show me a reef tank with aiptasia that isn't a problem....

Give me a few mins while I upload some to photobucket.

[unleashed]

Show me a reef tank with aiptasia that isn't a problem....

This guy has both Aiptasia and Majano. He doesn't bother to do anything with them because he feels that they are just extra life in his tank. However, he does like the colouration of his Majano (bright green)

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Not Majano, just Aiptasia. Again, doesn't bother do to anything with them:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Another one, just Aiptasia. Like the above doesn't bother to do anything with them:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Last but not least, another one with just Aiptasia. Does the same as the above:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


I can attest to this as I took the bottom three photos. I have also visited the top tank plenty of times......... too many in fact. Incase any of you we wondering, the top guy was the one who sold me my mystery wrasse, blackcap basslet and my ATI Powermodule 8x 54W T5HO

[rageybug]

Nice tanks but where are the aiptasia??? Give them time and they will overrun those tanks.

[unleashed]

I can guarantee you there is plenty of Aiptasia in these tanks. However, none of the above have even bothered or will be bothered to deal with them because they don't see them as a problem.

BTW, the combined hobby experience of all of those keepers is over fifty years.

The two top ones and the bottom one are all owned by livestock importers