How to Control Aiptasia Anemones

Anemone species are often a welcome addition to marine aquariums for their beauty and relative ease of care. The common pest aiptasia, however, reproduces and grows so quickly that it can soon cover large areas of a reef, and its resistance to many chemicals makes it exceedingly hard to destroy; a single living part of its body can regrow an entire new anemone. Controlling these hardy creatures requires limiting nutrient levels in the tank and directly exterminating individual specimens until their population is severely reduced or destroyed.

Things You'll Need

  • Aqueous 2N sodium hydroxide
  • Plastic medication syringe
  • Small-bore airline tubing
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Instructions

  1. Reducing Nutrient Levels

    • 1

      Carefully monitor behavior of aquarium fish to determine if you're overfeeding them; food placed in the tank should be consumed by fish within five minutes. Remove any leftover food as soon as possible to prevent unnecessary nutrient buildup in the water.

    • 2

      Remove any dead organisms from the tank as soon as possible to prevent nutrient buildup caused by decay.

    • 3

      Change the tank water regularly to prevent nutrient buildup in the aquarium; the recommended rate for a marine aquarium is to replace 10 percent of the water every two weeks.

    Killing Aiptasia

    • 4

      Measure out a piece of airline tubing long enough to reach all locations in the aquarium and cut it. Attach the tubing to the tip of the plastic syringe; the fit must be very tight, so use smaller-bore tubing or aquarium cement if necessary.

    • 5

      Turn off all pumps, wave makers, and other sources of water circulation. Withdraw several milliliters of sodium hydroxide into the syringe. Put the end of the airline tubing as close to the aiptasia's mouth as possible and slowly depress the syringe; the sodium hydroxide will form a white slurry that will settle on the aiptasia and be drawn into its mouth.

    • 6

      Stir any drifting slurry with the airline tube; it will quickly break up and be dissolved harmlessly into the water. Allow the slurry on the aiptasia to remain for at least several seconds to maximize the amount drawn into its body. Repeat for all visible aiptasia and turn the water circulation back on when finished.

    • 7

      Check the tank two days later for surviving aiptasia and re-apply sodium hydroxide as needed.