Glutton for punishment
 

I know I shouldn't of done it but I had to .... I got a Rock flower anemone from our LFS tonight and it came attached to a rock which I know is loaded with aptasia and maybe a few other critters how can I kill or contain them before introducing into my tank

Warm/hot fresh water dunk the rock minus coral attachment?

Chemical warfare?

Sorry I don't have the funds for a quarantine tank so I have to do it the hard way I have a peppermint shrimp who loves aptasia but as to the possibly unknown critters I am playing by ear

take the anemone off the rock if you dont want the rock

I never thought of that ....I learned something again

Ok another stupid question how do I detach this guy from the rock I have read that cutting anenome is not a good idea?

Some anemones will die before they let go. Others let go quite easily. My sebae will let go almost immediately if I remove it from the water while a bubble tip I once had required me to break the rock around it. Some things I've tried that didn't work for me but might work for you was rubbing the foot with an ice cube or point a powerhead directly at the anemone. Another idea would be to set up a tank or container that is dark on one side and lit on the other. Place the anemone on the dark side and it might move over to the light side.

The ice did the trick took about 4 minutes but it let go I cleaned it up gave it a quick vinegar and salt water dip and then put in my tank it attached right away to rock but now has since moved and haven't found it yet I am hoping its just looking for a new spot to call home

Why a vinegar dip?

About half the forums and books I've read have said to do either a full vinegar or a salt water/vinegar dip so I didn't argue I am more than willing to learn if there is a different method that many of you use


And I put the rock I the anemone off of in fresh water and got lots of critters out of it most were harmless but got some red feathery worms out of it too at last count got 9 worms all about an inch long

I'd maybe stick to this site for help or info. And maybe get some new books. I've never heard of a vinegar dip nor a saltwater dip. If you get wrong info from somebody on this site there's usually a bunch that will quickly steer you in the right direction. Good luck with your anemone

Did these forums or books that you've read say why you should treat the anemone in an acidic saltwater solution? Is there some sort of microscopic parasite that it treats for?

If you're planning on re using the rock I'd recommend drying it out completely before placing it in your tank. Aptasia is very hardy and will probably survive a short freshwater dip.