Does Anemonia need light to grow?

[BitOrder]

I've noticed that when the lights are on these guys are stretching for the light. I'm wondering if they need it to live. I have waited too long to attempt to fight this anemonia outbreak and now it too late. I'm thinking of removing the live rock, and putting it in a bucket of saltwater with absolutely no light for a week. Do you think this will actually kill these little bast*!rds? Scrubbing will not work, too many for Kalk injections, no known natural predator. This process will most likely send my tank into turmoil but it does not look like a have a choice. Please let me know what you think.

 

[DEADFISH1]

I found this for you, Doesn't look good

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BMLSS/Snakelok.htm


"Snakelocks Anemones, Anemonia viridis, are found on the southern and western shores of Britain and as far south as the Mediterranean Sea. They are distinguished by long flowing tentacles and will usually be found in a bright green colour, sometimes with purple tips to the tentacles. A few specimens have a scarlet on their tentacles.

The green colour is given by chlorophyll, produced by symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that are found in the anemone's tissues. These algae are necessary for the long term survival of the sea anemone. When the numbers of algae diminish the anemone may appear dull grey in colour. The algae need light to flourish, so Snakelocks Anemones will be found in the sunniest pools. Unlike Beadlet Anemones, they do not readily retract their tentacles if left stranded on land by the retreating tide. However, in aquaria they demonstrate their ability to do so.

Snakelocks Anemone can capture small fish and other animals in their stinging tentacles."

 

[BitOrder]

Well, now what I am thinking is taking the real bad anemonia covvered rocks out and putting them in FRESH water! for about 3 or so hours Then, I can battle what is left in the tank and hopefully win the fight this time. I figure I will have to kill off about 80-100# of rock then SLOWLY re-introduce them back to the main system after re-cycling it. That is the only other option I have. I tried the Kalk, Boiling hot water, methods for a week and they just kept coming back faster than I could kill them.

 

[ReefMon]

Keeping them in the dark for a few weeks will not kill them, but you will see allot of them floating off the rock looking for a better location.

Unfortunately not all of them will evacuate.

I have had zero success with kalk or acid injections, the only means of control that has worked for me is a Raccoon Butterfly.

 

[Anemone]

IMO, a week without light will not kill Anemonia majano - a couple of months, maybe, but just a week, no way! That being said, I found majano anemones are more susceptible to "kalking" than aiptasia.

You may feel you have too many to kalk, but if you do 1/3 every two weeks, it's not an unreachable goal that in 3 months or so, they might all be gone.

Good luck,

Kevin

 

[Anonymous]

I agree that Kalking does seem to work better on A.mojano. They do not melt into pieces and spread like aiptasia. A single kalking is usually enough. Starving them of light would take too long and have a negative impact on the corals you want to keep.