Do these soft corals look healthy?

[Ourfish]

We're about to buy a used red sea max 130 with live rock and soft corals. The seller emailed us these pictures of the corals. He said they need some TLC.
Do they look alright? Any bad signs or parasites we should be aware of?
thanks :)

 

[BL1]

That first picture looks like all aiptasia, the rest of the corals look good though

 

[Ourfish]

what's aiptasia? is it bad? would we have to get rid of it?

 

[fastrd400]

That first pic is an aptasia farm. They are pest you will want to get rid of. Everything else looks okay, the Sunset looks a bit faded but it might just be a bad photo.

 

[Bifferwine]

Aiptasias are big pest anemones that sting and kill other corals and even fish. Shame on someone for trying to sell them to you as corals!

The rest of the pictures are actually corals though, and do look good.

 

[BL1]

Yes, aiptasia is a pest anemone and can take over a tank quickly and has a very bad sting. Here are a few articles for you:
Aiptasia Anemone
Reefs.org: Where Reefkeeping Begins on the Internet - Aiptasia FAQ's
Aipatasia

 

[Ourfish]

what is the best way of eliminating aiptasia? Is a needle with vinegar or lemon juice safe?

 

[fastrd400]

Just head to your LFS and pick up some Aptaisa X. Use that to inject into them andthey will shrivel and die on the spot. It is safe for the rest of the tank so don't be afraid to go to town on them.

 

[Ourfish]

okay. are there any home remedies that work to?

 

[fastrd400]

The Aptasia X is the best, fastest and safest method. It shouldn't take you that long, and after you start doing it, believe me, you'll enjoy it, lol.

 

[Bifferwine]

Home remedies are hit or miss and more difficult than using Aiptasia X. They include injecting each polyp with lemon juice or salt paste.

 

[Ourfish]

Aiptasias are big pest anemones that sting and kill other corals and even fish. Shame on someone for trying to sell them to you as corals!

The rest of the pictures are actually corals though, and do look good.

I don't think he was trying to sell them to us as coral. He said that the tank needs some TLC and I think he was showing us what he meant. We just looked at it and thought it was a type of coral. lol

 

[fastrd400]

If it was me, I'd run out, get the Aptasia X, and a couple Pepermint Shrimp. What you miss with the Aptasia X, the Pepermints should take care of.

 

[Bifferwine]

I don't think he was trying to sell them to us as coral. He said that the tank needs some TLC and I think he was showing us what he meant. We just looked at it and thought it was a type of coral. lol

Well that makes sense then! Yes, that rock needs some TLC. ;)

 

[SeaBee]

mmmmm aptasia with marinara is one of my favs!!!! Get a peppermint shrimp, they eat that stuff.

 

[the reef kid]

The one thing I know to work effectively is a sautering iron. Just stab the little buggers for a second or two and POW, no more aiptasia.

 

[Ourfish]

wow, a sautering iron doesn't harm the live rock or anything?

 

[the reef kid]

As long as you don't like stab it as hard as you can lol. Just a light touch to the nem and your done.

 

[MCKWESTLA]

How do you tell if coral is healthy or not when buying from LFS? I want to add this LR piece with all this coral attached. Is it healthy? And see below my most recent stats. Guy in fish store said it would be good idea and ok to add this coral.