Aiptasia and Gas Bubble Disease in Tank 4

1. Aiptasia and Gas Bubble Disease in Tank 4 By: Juwon Oresegun 7th Period February: Monthly Update

2. Aiptasia • Scientific Classification: Animalia, Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actiniaria, Aiptasiidae, Aiptasia • This type of Cnidarian uses photosynthesis to survive and can also attach itself to an organism and take its nutrients • A benthic organism found usually on substrate and hard surfaces • They are considered a nuisance inside tanks because they breed fast, take over life in the tank, and sting organisms inside the tank. • Peppermint shrimp are known to eat Aiptasia and is the most common predator for Aiptasia. • For my tank I cannot have a Peppermint Shrimp inside because my particular fish, the lionfish and toadfish, can consume the shrimp.

3. Aiptasia

4. Bubble Disease • The name “bubble disease” is given for the very visible bubbles on a fish. • It is a non-infectious disease. • Cause of disease: Too much oxygen in a tank • Treatment: Remove the fish from the tank into a more suitable oxygen regulated tank • At no time should a person try to pop the bubbles on the fish, for this will cause extreme pain for the fish. • At this time the bubble disease on my lionfish has disappeared meaning that the oxygen level in the tank is regulated again.

5. Bubble Disease

6. Bibliography • http://www.ultimatereef.com/articles/bubble/ • http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/aiptasia/aiptasia.htm