What is a good predator for Aiptasia

Timinator · 04/17/2008, 08:02 PM

Need help with my Aiptasia control. I have been doing the Kalk method with good results but the little pest continue appear. Not thrilled about rearranging my rock work since I believe they are survivors on the backsides of them that I can't get to. Thanks...

viceversabrd · 04/17/2008, 08:07 PM

peppermint shrimp

Gary Majchrzak · 04/17/2008, 08:10 PM

see link:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=803632

sherm71tank · 04/17/2008, 08:22 PM

I've used the peppermints with success on a few different tanks.

blot60 · 04/18/2008, 02:21 AM

I havn't tried them but I hear Bergia Nudibranchs eat aiptasia

johnike · 04/18/2008, 04:50 AM

I've got a copperband butterfly that mows 'em down.Peppermints eat 'em too.Berghia work great as well.John

abulgin · 04/18/2008, 07:16 AM

I had several aiptasia that I couldn't kill with Joe's Juice. I did a lot of research about peppermint shrimp and learned that the chances that this shrimp would actually do its job were iffy. I also researched Berhgias, and realized that (i) they are expensive and hard to get, (ii) no guarantees, and (iii) once they eat the aiptasia, they die. So, I bought a Copper Band Butterfly and within 2 weeks, I had--and have--0 aiptasia.

abulgin · 04/18/2008, 07:18 AM

Also, I do have some aiptasia in my fuge, and last night I squirted them with fresh lemon juice from a syringe (never tried it before)--no lie, the aiptasia dissolved in front of my eyes.

UDrogue · 04/18/2008, 07:48 AM

ive got 3 peppermints, not a single one of them cares or even looks at the aiptasia. they are more interested in stealing food from my sun corals.

fatboyjoe · 04/18/2008, 01:24 PM

I used to have a really bad aptasia problem. I got a 4'' copperband butterfly. It cleared it all up in about 3 weeks. I was apastia free for about 3 months untill my 4'' yellow tang killed my copperband. they never really gat along. now my aptasia problem is worse than ever. I'm thing of getting another copperband but the tang's got to go.

jimwat · 04/18/2008, 01:38 PM

Peppermints work well if you get several of them, do not have any fish that will pick on them, and do not overfeed.

CBB are a pretty sure bet to rid aiptasia. However, it can be difficult to find a good specimen that will also eat prepared foods (and not starve). The CBB will wipe out all of your feater dusters, and may nip at some corals. Mine will also pick on some of my snails. And keeping clams is no longer an option.

I love my CBB. It is a really cool fish that is very friendly. But it is also my second CBB, as my first one starved after a few weeks.

toaster77 · 04/18/2008, 02:32 PM

i have three peppermints, and they seem to always be hiding. i have a few aptasia that they haven't eaten, but at least my aptasia have not spread yet.

BLKTANG · 04/18/2008, 02:40 PM

FWIW,I got Red Sea Aiptasia-X from Marine Depo.

I used it today,& I don't know if you ever used Joe's Juice,but you know when you hit them with Joes they retract into the LR.Well with this stuff it like "stunned" them & I was able to cover the entire aiptasia with this stuff,& within a minute or so you could watch it dissolve.

docwells · 04/18/2008, 02:43 PM

I have used lots of methods. The one that worked best for me has been kalk paste from a syringe. It is also the least expensive. I have used peppermint shrimp and berhgia with limited success. I have had 3 CCB in the past and now I finally have one that eats aptasia. It took about 3 days and then he went after them. he has wiped out all my aptasia. Now if I can get him to eat some other foods.

docwells · 04/18/2008, 02:43 PM

I have used lots of methods. The one that worked best for me has been kalk paste from a syringe. It is also the least expensive. I have used peppermint shrimp and berhgia with limited success. I have had 3 CCB in the past and now I finally have one that eats aptasia. It took about 3 days and then he went after them. he has wiped out all my aptasia. Now if I can get him to eat some other foods.

kar93 · 04/18/2008, 03:22 PM

I would go with Aiptasia-X by Red Sea

BLKTANG · 04/18/2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kar93
I would go with Aiptasia-X by Red Sea

Did you use it yet?

Im pretty impressed by it.

TrojanScott · 04/18/2008, 03:25 PM

For me, peppermints never worked. CBB too difficult a fish to keep. Bergiah, seemed to work, but really expensive, and I've heard they can be eaten by other predators in your tank. (and, not very hardy?)

Klein's butterfly is what worked for me. Not the prettiest fish ever, but man, I have ZILCHO aiptasia, and he really doesn't pick. I have zoos, feather dusters everywhere, you name it, and he's not killed 'em. He may pick a xenia now and then, but really, he's a model citizen.

kar93 · 04/18/2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BLKTANG
Did you use it yet?

Im pretty impressed by it.

No but a friend bought some and i was round when he was injecting etc. Im going to order myself some incase i ever get aiptasia.

BRG · 04/18/2008, 08:33 PM

copperband butterfly work for me !!!

bg

tydtran · 04/18/2008, 09:04 PM

My experience:

Copperband butterfly (1 4in. fish): does not touch aiptasia. Beautiful fish, though.

Peppermint shrimp (2 2in. guys): do not touch aiptasia. Mostly hide and scavenge for food.

Injection with lemon juice, boiling water, kalk slurry always work but annoying to do.

Good luck.

skaterzero22 · 04/18/2008, 09:18 PM

liveaquaria says copperband can go into minimum 50g tank? is this correct?

mile sq. reefer · 04/18/2008, 10:40 PM

Berhgias wiped em out in my tank. Best money ever spent to control a nuisance.

jimmy n · 04/18/2008, 11:02 PM

I'm fairly oldschool.... But I've had aptasia problems in the past. If your tank is 100 gallons plus, there is no better solution than a majestic angel. I've had 3, all 3 have completely wiped my tank of aptasia (sump full of em) and none have touched my clams.

No anemone's in this setup, but great fish, not aggressive, pretty, utility.

smaier6 · 04/30/2008, 11:42 AM

I had the same problem and was successful with using Large Peppermint Shrimp.

04/17/2008, 08:02 PM	#1
Timinator Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 149	What is a good predator for Aiptasia Need help with my Aiptasia control. I have been doing the Kalk method with good results but the little pest continue appear. Not thrilled about rearranging my rock work since I believe they are survivors on the backsides of them that I can't get to. Thanks... __________________ -Tim- The more I read and think I know,and have figured out, the more confused I get ! And if I only had a Basement for more equipment! Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon, MRC Sump W/Refugium, MRC MR-2 Skimmer, MRC MR1 Calcium Reactor,Pinpoint PH Control, 2 250W Metal halide Retro's 14000K,PFO Retro Actinic,2 EcoTech Wave Controller,Phosban Reactor

04/17/2008, 08:07 PM	#2
viceversabrd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hamburg, NY Posts: 296	peppermint shrimp __________________ 55 gal FOWLR, 260w pc's, 100 lbs. live rock Current Tank Info: FOWLR

04/17/2008, 08:10 PM	#3
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	see link: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=803632 __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

04/18/2008, 02:21 AM	#5
blot60 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 227	I havn't tried them but I hear Bergia Nudibranchs eat aiptasia __________________ There's no way, no way that you came from my loins. Soon as I get home, first thing I'm gonna do is punch yo mamma in da mouth! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed, 30g sump, 8x T5, Octopus DDNW 150,

04/18/2008, 01:24 PM	#10
fatboyjoe Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: philadelphia Posts: 122	I used to have a really bad aptasia problem. I got a 4'' copperband butterfly. It cleared it all up in about 3 weeks. I was apastia free for about 3 months untill my 4'' yellow tang killed my copperband. they never really gat along. now my aptasia problem is worse than ever. I'm thing of getting another copperband but the tang's got to go. __________________ joe Current Tank Info: 90 gal reef

04/17/2008, 08:22 PM	#4
sherm71tank Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,670	I've used the peppermints with success on a few different tanks.

04/18/2008, 04:50 AM	#6
johnike Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bureau County Illinois Posts: 5,406	I've got a copperband butterfly that mows 'em down.Peppermints eat 'em too.Berghia work great as well.John

04/18/2008, 07:16 AM	#7
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	I had several aiptasia that I couldn't kill with Joe's Juice. I did a lot of research about peppermint shrimp and learned that the chances that this shrimp would actually do its job were iffy. I also researched Berhgias, and realized that (i) they are expensive and hard to get, (ii) no guarantees, and (iii) once they eat the aiptasia, they die. So, I bought a Copper Band Butterfly and within 2 weeks, I had--and have--0 aiptasia.

04/18/2008, 07:18 AM	#8
abulgin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 2,664	Also, I do have some aiptasia in my fuge, and last night I squirted them with fresh lemon juice from a syringe (never tried it before)--no lie, the aiptasia dissolved in front of my eyes.

04/18/2008, 07:48 AM	#9
UDrogue Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: virginia Posts: 16	ive got 3 peppermints, not a single one of them cares or even looks at the aiptasia. they are more interested in stealing food from my sun corals.

04/18/2008, 01:38 PM	#11
jimwat Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,270	Peppermints work well if you get several of them, do not have any fish that will pick on them, and do not overfeed. CBB are a pretty sure bet to rid aiptasia. However, it can be difficult to find a good specimen that will also eat prepared foods (and not starve). The CBB will wipe out all of your feater dusters, and may nip at some corals. Mine will also pick on some of my snails. And keeping clams is no longer an option. I love my CBB. It is a really cool fish that is very friendly. But it is also my second CBB, as my first one starved after a few weeks. __________________ "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day and drink beer." Current Tank Info: 65 gal with 192w PC 10k, 192w VHO actinic, Blue-Moon LED, Tunze 6060 on WavySea, AquaController 3. 20gal sump, Natureef CDECX-1, Phosban Reactor, Remora, Kalk Drip, Ozone.

04/18/2008, 02:32 PM	#12
toaster77 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 323	i have three peppermints, and they seem to always be hiding. i have a few aptasia that they haven't eaten, but at least my aptasia have not spread yet.

04/18/2008, 02:40 PM	#13
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	FWIW,I got Red Sea Aiptasia-X from Marine Depo. I used it today,& I don't know if you ever used Joe's Juice,but you know when you hit them with Joes they retract into the LR.Well with this stuff it like "stunned" them & I was able to cover the entire aiptasia with this stuff,& within a minute or so you could watch it dissolve. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

04/18/2008, 02:43 PM	#14
docwells Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 952	I have used lots of methods. The one that worked best for me has been kalk paste from a syringe. It is also the least expensive. I have used peppermint shrimp and berhgia with limited success. I have had 3 CCB in the past and now I finally have one that eats aptasia. It took about 3 days and then he went after them. he has wiped out all my aptasia. Now if I can get him to eat some other foods. __________________ Wellington Current Tank Info: 69 gallon AGE rimless starphire tank in progress...

04/18/2008, 03:22 PM	#16
kar93 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lincoln Posts: 5,521	I would go with Aiptasia-X by Red Sea

04/18/2008, 03:25 PM	#18
TrojanScott Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,229	For me, peppermints never worked. CBB too difficult a fish to keep. Bergiah, seemed to work, but really expensive, and I've heard they can be eaten by other predators in your tank. (and, not very hardy?) Klein's butterfly is what worked for me. Not the prettiest fish ever, but man, I have ZILCHO aiptasia, and he really doesn't pick. I have zoos, feather dusters everywhere, you name it, and he's not killed 'em. He may pick a xenia now and then, but really, he's a model citizen.

04/18/2008, 08:33 PM	#20
BRG Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Winchester,Va Posts: 185	copperband butterfly work for me !!! bg

04/18/2008, 09:04 PM	#21
tydtran Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 853	My experience: Copperband butterfly (1 4in. fish): does not touch aiptasia. Beautiful fish, though. Peppermint shrimp (2 2in. guys): do not touch aiptasia. Mostly hide and scavenge for food. Injection with lemon juice, boiling water, kalk slurry always work but annoying to do. Good luck.

04/18/2008, 09:18 PM	#22
skaterzero22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 492	liveaquaria says copperband can go into minimum 50g tank? is this correct? __________________ --Bryan Current Tank Info: Empty 125 sitting in my garage. Biocube 14

04/18/2008, 10:40 PM	#23
mile sq. reefer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 2,045	Berhgias wiped em out in my tank. Best money ever spent to control a nuisance.

04/18/2008, 11:02 PM	#24
jimmy n Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,256	I'm fairly oldschool.... But I've had aptasia problems in the past. If your tank is 100 gallons plus, there is no better solution than a majestic angel. I've had 3, all 3 have completely wiped my tank of aptasia (sump full of em) and none have touched my clams. No anemone's in this setup, but great fish, not aggressive, pretty, utility.

04/30/2008, 11:42 AM	#25
smaier6 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: RSM , California Posts: 70	I had the same problem and was successful with using Large Peppermint Shrimp. __________________ Thanks, Steve Current Tank Info: 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 4 Zoo, , 1 BTA Pink, cleaners snails and red hermit crabs, 1- candy coral 1 - Pink Button, 1- Porite Xmas Worm, 1-Leather, 2- brains, 1- green torche, 1- sun coral, pulsating exina, live plants,