How should I remove Aiptasia from my Maxima Clam?!

[TiM71717]

Hey,

So at the frag swap I bought an AMAZING Maxima Clam from Dr. Mac, for the ridiculously low price of $70. The only down side is that there are probably a dozen Aiptasia on the shell of this beauty. Dr. Mac told me to just scrub the shell with a toothbrush, and they'll come right off, but I tried this last night and they're still there. I've read all of the other suggestions on forums such as Kalk or Joe's Juice injections, boiling water squirted in them, tweezers, epoxying over them, etc. Just wanted to see what everyone thought the best and safest way to get rid of these guys is. Some of them are right near the mantle, and others are wedged deep in the crevices on the shell. I feel like the toothbrush method is the safest, but it was not so successful in last nights attempt. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

 

[duke62]

If it was that easy why wouldnt dr.mac do the same thing? they are hard to kill

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

DON'T use the toothbrush method, all it takes is a few cells to survive and you will have aptasia growing all over your tank in no time. It will just get rid of the "whole" aptasias... But will knock loose little pieces...

I have the same problem, someone is lending me a majano wand. I do not want to risk any of the other methods for fear that they would harm the clam.

Alfred

 

[LongIslandAndy]

If it was that easy why wouldnt dr.mac do the same thing? they are hard to kill

lol

 

[rookie07]

Alfredo,
Be warned that if you leave small pieces of Aiptasia tissue on the clam, those pieces will regrow into new Aiptasia(s).

 

[Trump]

Peppermint Shrimp, there are a few different kinds out there. All peppermint work but The ones from our east coast and gulf tend to work the best.

 

[d5332]

A toothbrush?

Everyone that has dealt with and sells live stuff knows that Aptasia does not brush off.

If you already put that claim in your tank you just unleashed armageddon.

Your only option now is to buy an aptasia predator such as a copperband, matted, a dozen pep shrimp or go all out and buy $100 worth of nudibranches.

Even if you kill the ones you see on that clam, its too late, you now have aptasia my friend, give it 3 to 6 weeks and you will see what I mean.

 

[TiM71717]

EEEK! I guess I'll be buying some peppermint shrimp tonight.

 

[nanoreefer22]

Don't go crazy over it. Get some peppermints, make sure they are peppermints and not camel back shrimp. Google some pics so you can tell the difference.

The peppermints will take care of it, just give them some time to settle in and you'll find yourself aiptasia free in a few weeks. Once they start working, they don't stop.

 

[Alfredo De La Fe]

I plan on zapping the one aptasia hitchhiker tonight, I will then use a turkey baster to suck up all of the sludge... Hopefully I get it all. >sigh< I worked so hard to get rid of all nasty critters.

Alfred

 

[TiM71717]

Cool. Yeah I know the difference between the two. The clam was too good looking to pass up b/c of the aiptasia. Do you think I need a dozen? My tank is the RSM250 (65gal) I feel like that's a lot of peppermints

 

[Trump]

i would start with 3-4, they will find it. if you get real lucky they will also have offspring 1-2 times a week......free coral and fish food

 

[TiM71717]

Okay, thanks guys!

 

[drgorecki]

I bought one from them too Probably they are directly from the ocean I have to do inspection today and I hope, I won't find anything.

 

[TiM71717]

Yeah, the one I fell in love with had the most on it of course.

 

[Dr. Mac]

Unfortunately the clams do come in from the collector with Aiptasia sometimes. We try to clean then but sometimes miss some. The best method is to put he clam in a small container without exposing it to air and use a toothbrush to clean the shell. Generally, Peppermint shrimp are a good method for eradicating them in your tank, but if you take the clam out and brush it then you should be able to get rid of them before needed to use the shrimp.

 

[empire]

Would Aiptasia-X hurt the clam?

 

[Dr. Mac]

Best bet is to put the clam in a small container and brush off the Aiptasia.

 

[tangy84]

Would the peppermint eat large aptasia to? I feel like they only eat small ones, but I might be wrong

 

[Dr. Mac]

They do eat them. If you have several of the shrimp within a few weeks they eat them all.