New Fish New Rock New Problems

Today I was on an average trip to the LFS for test kits and advise, as usual i take a quick look through their stock, The first tank I saw two lovely Moorish Idols, and at that point I knew what i was in for. The store doesn't usually stock them, They don't get bought so easily since most people are too scared to start a marine tank, and are further scared away from this fish.

It had been in the shop for a max of 3 days and getting it this soon is a bonus, although i would like to have had it earlier. So i bought it.

I came home with some extra rock and some coral, to give it a better chance in life. about an hour after releasing the moorish idol began to nibble occasionally on the rocks i have. So hopefully it will accept more food later.

later on i noticed on one of the rocks some of these ugly looking jelly like anemones that crept out of their hiding spots, i heard once before that these were a menace to the tank, and there were about 4 or 5. I think they are called Devil's plague

does anyone have any ideas on it. Unfortunately its very difficult to get a digital camera to take a half decent shot, but this is as good as it gets.

http://psycotech.com/tayler/plague.jpg

http://psycotech.com/Tayler/alana.jpg

 

That looks like Aiptasia to me. They're anemonies that are harmful to coral. I'm battling an infestation of them in my tank. It was a similar story for me. I went to the LFS and said "Wow, that's a pretty rock. I think I'll buy it," despite the fact that his display tank was infested with Aiptasia. The rock came with some interesting inverts-including the pests. The basic theory in combatting them is to either inject them with anything caustic: kalk, vinegar, boiling water, etc. or feed them something even more caustic: murianic acid, pickling lime, etc. Search for them here at 3reef - there are several threads about them. Also, peppermint shrimp eat smaller ones, or so I heard. I have not put any of this into practice, however, but intend to feed them pickling lime tomorrow and get shrimp as soon as I get a new skimmer.
I couldn't help noticing - is that an air pump you got in there? They're not really necessary for a reef tank if you have a skimmer (that does enough oxygen exchange). Also, the air bubbles can irritate coral.
I'll let you know how pickling lime works for killing the Aiptasia soon.

 

Try this out!!!

Tangster came up with this recipe for killing Aptasia. I tried it yesterday actually. It worked flawlessly! Much cheaper than Joe's Juice or anything else designed for getting rid of aptasia. I tried the version using the pickling lime. I picked up some Mrs. Wages pickling lime from Kroger for $2.91 after tax. I had the Pepper and Texas Pete lying around the house, mixed some up, squirted the little guys and in a few minutes there was nothing left of them. I would recommend using this mixture for getting rid of larger one's and possibly trying some peppermint shrimp to control the smaller one's. You may never be able to actually get rid of all of them, but you could control them and keep them from getting to big with peppermint shrimp, a copperband butterfly, or something else of that nature. You would probably have more luck with the peppermint shrimp. The recipe courtesy of Tangster is as follows. Good Luck!!

Mix enough kalk and water to make a pancake mix consists then add a bit of black pepper and a few dashes of Tabasco sauce spread it out in a saucer then microwave it for about long enough to see it start to bubble a bit . this is what you want then let it cool a bit and then take a spoon handle or screwdriver and use it as a spatula and fill the syringe with the plunger removed then hold this just over the critter and squeeze out enough to drop into the little $%^&*&^% they will then turn black/blue and die in about 30 seconds .. When this mix hits them they will readily close on it eat it like candy

When I mix this I use a 1/2 cup of pickling lime and about 1/2 TSP of finely ground blk. pepper and 1/2 tsp of Texas Pete or Tabasco sauce and just enough water to make it look like the pancake mix. the cooking condenses it and makes it hold together in a drop and fall into their mouths . You might have to try the microwaving a few time to figure this very important part out but you will if it's over done you can cut it a little with R.O water to make it squeezable the end product will be close to toothpaste or some latex chalking almost. Works better then any juice ever will and its cheaper and take about 3 mins to make
many have used this recipe and all liked it.

 

Thanks for the ID, i heard people talking about it, but this rock is quite small so i have the luxury of removing it, Unfortunate though since the Idol has been pecking at it every know and then.

My tank isn't a full blown reef, I have the air inside because the tank is an all in one unit, no skimmer, It helps keep the oxygen high for my ribbon eel, but its anoying, so when i upgrade i will definately invest in a skimmer. and the moorish idol which is my girlfriends favourite fish eats corals for breakfast.

I think I've had Aiptasia before, it was only one and hiding inside a very dark crevice, i guess my CBS ate it as this crevice was their home, unfortunately my last one dissapeared 2 weeks after my eel arived. this is probably why i didn't have an outbreak.

The rock has some very interesting growth on it, i would like to experiment in keeping it, Could you let me know how you are using the Pickling lime, and wtf is it to begin with. i guess i could leave the rock in a seperate container to treat it.

lastly i wish you luck with your Live rock.

Thanks.

 

I couldn't find pickling lime today at the store (stupid Jewel-Osco) but on a hunch I tried feeding them some of my Seachem Reef Complete, which has calcium in it, with a syringe. They all ate it readily, actually grasping onto the syringe with their tentacles, and about 9 hours later they have not reappeared. I'm still going to get a peppermint shrimp to get the little ones. I think anything with a lot of calcium in it will get 'em (pickling lime is calcium chloride, kalkwasser is calcium carbonate, etc.)

 

BlackWhiteYellow, feed that Moorish Idol 3 times daily and a variety of frozen foods, especially sponge containing foods. I have had a Moorish Idol for a year. I feed mine frozen Angel Food Diet from Ocean Nutrition, Formula Angel Food diet, Formula 1 and 2 as well as mysis and frozen plankton twice daily and supplement with spirulina flakes and pellet foods. These fish need frequent feedings due to their high metabolism and small stomachs. If it is being finicky about eating, try brine shrimp, mysis shrimp or get some fresh clams or mussels with the shell still attached and place it on some rock. This usually works to get them to eat. I'm no expert in keeping these fish but I've had success so far in keeping one alive for 1 year. By the way, they are not reef safe, so watch your corals closely if you are putting it in a reef tank.
Good Luck!

 

when i bought the idol i also asked the lfs for some kind of soft coral, the idol hasn't touched it, I've been feeding it "spirulina brine" and mysis, but it hasn't taken to anything else other than whats on the rocks.

Its excelent to hear other people that have one, It puts a lot of doubt into me when i read what Pro's say about this fish how no mater what you do it will die. I don't want to believe this because that will lead to her demise.

do you have any photo's of the tank you are keeping the idol in, Its important to compare the environment of the fish rather than list the hi tech filters(life support) people use.

lastly i'm searching for a lavander tube sponge to put in so the idol can munch on this, I read that they have a fast regrowth and are easy to keep.

 

If You Want To Get Rid Of A Lot Of Them Buy A Copper-baned Butterflyfish

 

Pickling Lime and Kalkwasser are both Calcium, Hydroxide . And Kalkwasser is a $ 20.00 German word for a 1.00 product {Lime-water}

 

i say take the natural route...add a pair of peppermint shrimp and let them feast.....