Aiptasia X or Peppermint shrimp?

dnguyen1 · 10/06/2011, 11:55 AM

Which route did you guys go?

I'm contemplated either and want to start ridding myself of two "smaller" aiptasias before they spread

Btw: aiptasia X is by RED SEA right? I just want to make sure I get the right thing.

BrookR1 · 10/06/2011, 12:21 PM

If you only have a few to get rid of, use Kalk slurry/Aiptasia X. Just stay on top of it or it could get out of hand.

Oh yeah, you don't need to spend the money on Aiptasia X. Just mix 1-2 teaspoon of Kalkwasser in a cup of RO and let it sit for a few minutes until it gets thick. Apply it with a syringe and cover the entire aiptasia even after it retracts.

jbonez · 10/06/2011, 12:41 PM

i have about 9 of them should i get a peppermint shrimp there is one that is preety big

CubiX · 10/06/2011, 01:47 PM

9 should be pretty easy to handle with a few applications of aiptasia x. IME more reliable than peppermints.

Reefstar075 · 10/06/2011, 01:48 PM

peppermint shrimp are a hit or miss they will either eat every single one or not touch any go with aiptasia X works great for me!

snorvich · 10/06/2011, 01:49 PM

Careful with aiptasia-x if you have highly sensitive fish.

jbonez · 10/06/2011, 01:55 PM

i have a yellow & blue eye tand & 2 clowns, & snails and a few crabs..can it be applyed in the dt tank or no?

CubiX · 10/06/2011, 02:00 PM

I can tell you that it doesn't harm clowns or crabs.

Jvak · 10/06/2011, 02:07 PM

I always prefer a natural method vs. introducing something foreign into my tank. And if you do get a good Aiptasia eating peppermint they will get alot of places you couldnt reach

Reefstar075 · 10/06/2011, 02:21 PM

I locate the aips take the rock out if I can quickly inject them all and have a 20cc syringe of tank water ready to rinse the rock quick then put it back in and it has never hurt anything doing it that way, with 60+ different types of coral in my tank im far too paranoid to ever put crap like that in my tank

jbonez · 10/06/2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefstar075

I locate the aips take the rock out if I can quickly inject them all and have a 20cc syringe of tank water ready to rinse the rock quick then put it back in and it has never hurt anything doing it that way, with 60+ different types of coral in my tank im far too paranoid to ever put crap like that in my tank

so iject all the aptasia holes then inject all holes soon after with tank water is that correct?

d0ughb0y · 10/06/2011, 02:53 PM

First of all, you can use a kalk paste mix in place of aiptasiax.

Here is how you decide which way to go.

If the aiptasias are isolated and easily reachable by your syringe, use aiptasiax.

realistically, not all aiptasias are isolated, they can grow in the middle of a zoa colony for instance, you most certainly do not want to blast aptasiax into the aiptasia since you will get some major collateral damage, unless you do not care for the zoas.

In this case, you can use peppermint shrimp. for best result, take the rock or whatever the aiptasia is growning on out into a QT tank. Put your peppermint shrimp in the QT tank. It may take a while, like a week before the peppermint shrimp finds the aiptasia, but once it finds it, it will eat it clean without any collateral damage.

The least desirable of all cases is if the aiptasia is not easily reachable, and taking the rock out is not possible. In this case, if you add the peppermint shrimp in your DT, it may never find and eat the aiptasia because there are other food sources more readily available. This is where the hit and miss part comes in using peppermint shrimp.

they don't call aiptasias pests for nothing.
good luck.

djkms · 10/06/2011, 03:12 PM

Please dont kalkpaste. Every tank I have ever used kalkpaste they just multiplied even worse. Sure they disappeared for a couple weeks then BAM 20 more in its place...

IMO natural predators are the best route for aiptaisa.

snorvich · 10/06/2011, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbonez

i have a yellow & blue eye tand & 2 clowns, & snails and a few crabs..can it be applyed in the dt tank or no?

Should be fine. I was thinking of some leopard wrasses and various anampses species.

sporto0 · 10/06/2011, 04:42 PM

Has anyone ever totally eradicated Aiptaisa with any or all of these methods? I have a feeling the answer is no, not totally, they always reappear eventually, at least that's been my experience. A happy medium is more realistic, that's why natural predators, in my opinion, are the way to go, they usually do a good job of thinning the herd. A few Aiptasia here & there won't hurt anything anyway, they are filter feeders as well. I vote for peppermint shrimp or Copperband Butterfly if you have enough Aiptasia to support one.

RotaryGeek · 10/06/2011, 05:32 PM

I tried aptasia x and it did kill them, but in there place came tons of tiny ones. Finally it got really bad so I put in 3 pep shrimp. I have absolutely zero aptasia now, but my colony of hammers (that I grew from 2 heads to 12 in a few months) fell victim to them and is completely dead now. So lose lose for me, but I have no more aptasia.

SoLiD · 10/06/2011, 05:48 PM

Two Words: Majano Wand

aka Aiptasia Zapper... Check It Out.

tindall311 · 10/07/2011, 01:26 PM

Oh yea, buy or make a zapper! Making one costs ~$20 and makes it so much fun to kill them!

nivekid · 10/07/2011, 02:23 PM

I put two peppermint shrimp in my 37 gallon. Aiptasia was gone in just a few days. Completely gone. My problem now is that the peppermint shrimp are a pain in you know what. They steal food from my corals and even some of the more timid fish. I wish I could get the peppermints out.

Berghia nudibranch could be another option.

cloak · 10/07/2011, 02:30 PM

I would have to say peppermint shrimp. I just added one to my tank on Tuesday to help with a couple aptasia that have popped up and this morning when I woke up one of them is already gone. I'm sure not all peppermint shrimp work like that, but this one is doing it's job extremely well so far. As soon as it eats the other aptasia in my tank I'll probably take it back to the LFS.

snorvich · 10/07/2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nivekid

My problem now is that the peppermint shrimp are a pain in you know what. They steal food from my corals and even some of the more timid fish. I wish I could get the peppermints out.

Cover your corals with tupperware caps when feeding. Keeps various shrimp out.

frankpayne32 · 10/07/2011, 04:07 PM

Despite popular "knowledge" quite a few individual peppermint shrimp are coralivores.

cloak · 10/07/2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankpayne32

Despite popular "knowledge" quite a few individual peppermint shrimp are coralivores.

That's news to me. I'm probably going to take mine back when the job is done, but I'll keep an eye on it. I guess if they can rip an aptasia to threads then certain corals wouldn't be that much different. TY.

djkms · 10/07/2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankpayne32

Despite popular "knowledge" quite a few individual peppermint shrimp are coralivores.

Are we sure this statement is meant for true peppermint shrimps? I thought that sometimes another type of shrimp is commonly and mistakenly sold as peppermints when in fact it is a coral eater... from another region. Camel shrimp perhaps? Cant remember the type of shrimp or where its from though.

lordofthereef · 10/07/2011, 04:36 PM

I had fantastic luck with peppermints. I see an aiptasia every now and again but I really don't mind. I know that the peps will make quick work of them in short time. I was up to maybe two dozen. Now I see maybe one every two weeks for a day or so. Usually gone by the times lights are back on the next morning.

10/06/2011, 11:55 AM	#1
dnguyen1 Will work for fish Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 910	Aiptasia X or Peppermint shrimp? Which route did you guys go? I'm contemplated either and want to start ridding myself of two "smaller" aiptasias before they spread Btw: aiptasia X is by RED SEA right? I just want to make sure I get the right thing. __________________ Trying to keep the tank clean ONE DAY AT A TIME. Current Tank Info: 50g cube

10/06/2011, 12:21 PM	#2
BrookR1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boise Posts: 297	If you only have a few to get rid of, use Kalk slurry/Aiptasia X. Just stay on top of it or it could get out of hand. Oh yeah, you don't need to spend the money on Aiptasia X. Just mix 1-2 teaspoon of Kalkwasser in a cup of RO and let it sit for a few minutes until it gets thick. Apply it with a syringe and cover the entire aiptasia even after it retracts. __________________ Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick! Everybody knows a Burrow Owl lives--in--a--hole--in--the--ground. Why the hell do you think they call it a Burrow Owl, anyway?!

10/06/2011, 12:41 PM	#3
jbonez SALT LIFE Join Date: May 2008 Location: alabama Posts: 1,188	i have about 9 of them should i get a peppermint shrimp there is one that is preety big __________________ IT IS WHAT IT IS! Current Tank Info: 75GL MIXED REEF\|40B FRAG LIGHTING -4ft DIY 120 3W CREE LEDS ROYAL BLUES & COOL WHITES\| FLOW-vortech mp40 \| BRS HC GFO TLF REACTOR W/COBOLT MJ600\| REEF OCTOPUS BH90 SKIMMER\| TUNZE OSMOLATOR 3155 ATO W/MAGNETS\|REEF KEEPER ELITE.

10/06/2011, 01:49 PM	#6
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Careful with aiptasia-x if you have highly sensitive fish. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

10/06/2011, 01:55 PM	#7
jbonez SALT LIFE Join Date: May 2008 Location: alabama Posts: 1,188	i have a yellow & blue eye tand & 2 clowns, & snails and a few crabs..can it be applyed in the dt tank or no? __________________ IT IS WHAT IT IS! Current Tank Info: 75GL MIXED REEF\|40B FRAG LIGHTING -4ft DIY 120 3W CREE LEDS ROYAL BLUES & COOL WHITES\| FLOW-vortech mp40 \| BRS HC GFO TLF REACTOR W/COBOLT MJ600\| REEF OCTOPUS BH90 SKIMMER\| TUNZE OSMOLATOR 3155 ATO W/MAGNETS\|REEF KEEPER ELITE.

10/06/2011, 01:47 PM	#4
CubiX Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Slovenia Posts: 65	9 should be pretty easy to handle with a few applications of aiptasia x. IME more reliable than peppermints.

10/06/2011, 01:48 PM	#5
Reefstar075 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 42	peppermint shrimp are a hit or miss they will either eat every single one or not touch any go with aiptasia X works great for me!

10/06/2011, 02:00 PM	#8
CubiX Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Slovenia Posts: 65	I can tell you that it doesn't harm clowns or crabs.

10/06/2011, 02:07 PM	#9
Jvak Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 65	I always prefer a natural method vs. introducing something foreign into my tank. And if you do get a good Aiptasia eating peppermint they will get alot of places you couldnt reach

10/06/2011, 02:21 PM	#10
Reefstar075 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 42	I locate the aips take the rock out if I can quickly inject them all and have a 20cc syringe of tank water ready to rinse the rock quick then put it back in and it has never hurt anything doing it that way, with 60+ different types of coral in my tank im far too paranoid to ever put crap like that in my tank

10/06/2011, 02:53 PM	#12
d0ughb0y Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sf bay area Posts: 5,165	First of all, you can use a kalk paste mix in place of aiptasiax. Here is how you decide which way to go. If the aiptasias are isolated and easily reachable by your syringe, use aiptasiax. realistically, not all aiptasias are isolated, they can grow in the middle of a zoa colony for instance, you most certainly do not want to blast aptasiax into the aiptasia since you will get some major collateral damage, unless you do not care for the zoas. In this case, you can use peppermint shrimp. for best result, take the rock or whatever the aiptasia is growning on out into a QT tank. Put your peppermint shrimp in the QT tank. It may take a while, like a week before the peppermint shrimp finds the aiptasia, but once it finds it, it will eat it clean without any collateral damage. The least desirable of all cases is if the aiptasia is not easily reachable, and taking the rock out is not possible. In this case, if you add the peppermint shrimp in your DT, it may never find and eat the aiptasia because there are other food sources more readily available. This is where the hit and miss part comes in using peppermint shrimp. they don't call aiptasias pests for nothing. good luck.

10/06/2011, 03:12 PM	#13
djkms Fish Freak Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 1,136	Please dont kalkpaste. Every tank I have ever used kalkpaste they just multiplied even worse. Sure they disappeared for a couple weeks then BAM 20 more in its place... IMO natural predators are the best route for aiptaisa. __________________ Kris - 200 Gallon Baby Reef Current Tank Info: 225 Upgrade Setup 11/17/2012 72x27x27 - Custom 40g sump/Diablo DCS-250int skimmer/Blueline HD40x/2 MP40's/Tunze ATO/2 Part/BRS RODI/ Neptune apex, WXM/3 Radium 250w Galaxy Ballast/8 39w T5's/Litermeter III/Aquavitro Salinity/20%WC/Carbon/GFO/Vinegar

10/06/2011, 04:42 PM	#15
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	Has anyone ever totally eradicated Aiptaisa with any or all of these methods? I have a feeling the answer is no, not totally, they always reappear eventually, at least that's been my experience. A happy medium is more realistic, that's why natural predators, in my opinion, are the way to go, they usually do a good job of thinning the herd. A few Aiptasia here & there won't hurt anything anyway, they are filter feeders as well. I vote for peppermint shrimp or Copperband Butterfly if you have enough Aiptasia to support one.

10/06/2011, 05:32 PM	#16
RotaryGeek Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 713	I tried aptasia x and it did kill them, but in there place came tons of tiny ones. Finally it got really bad so I put in 3 pep shrimp. I have absolutely zero aptasia now, but my colony of hammers (that I grew from 2 heads to 12 in a few months) fell victim to them and is completely dead now. So lose lose for me, but I have no more aptasia. __________________ 125 w/ 30 gallon sump. ASM G3 w/ Sedra 9000 and gatevalve. Two Little Phishies 550 phosban reactor. 3x150w XM 10k MH, 2x 96w PC.

10/06/2011, 05:48 PM	#17
SoLiD -=Snake=- Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 999	Two Words: Majano Wand aka Aiptasia Zapper... Check It Out. __________________ -David 40 Gallon Breeder on Steroids!!! Current Tank Info: Where you'll find an Acan and Orange Ricordea Garden in Bloom...

10/07/2011, 01:26 PM	#18
tindall311 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 17	Oh yea, buy or make a zapper! Making one costs ~$20 and makes it so much fun to kill them!

10/07/2011, 02:23 PM	#19
nivekid Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Glendale, USA Posts: 282	I put two peppermint shrimp in my 37 gallon. Aiptasia was gone in just a few days. Completely gone. My problem now is that the peppermint shrimp are a pain in you know what. They steal food from my corals and even some of the more timid fish. I wish I could get the peppermints out. Berghia nudibranch could be another option.

10/07/2011, 02:30 PM	#20
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I would have to say peppermint shrimp. I just added one to my tank on Tuesday to help with a couple aptasia that have popped up and this morning when I woke up one of them is already gone. I'm sure not all peppermint shrimp work like that, but this one is doing it's job extremely well so far. As soon as it eats the other aptasia in my tank I'll probably take it back to the LFS.

10/07/2011, 04:07 PM	#22
frankpayne32 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,177	Despite popular "knowledge" quite a few individual peppermint shrimp are coralivores. __________________ Frank Payne Advice to new hobbyists: listen to people that have a tank you would like to have one day, not to those with a high post count. Current Tank Info: 125 gallon in-wall (build thread is my homepage).

10/07/2011, 04:36 PM	#25
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I had fantastic luck with peppermints. I see an aiptasia every now and again but I really don't mind. I know that the peps will make quick work of them in short time. I was up to maybe two dozen. Now I see maybe one every two weeks for a day or so. Usually gone by the times lights are back on the next morning. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

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