Aiptasia eating angel?

ratziel · 03/05/2006, 11:54 PM

About 9 months ago I put a Keyhole angel (Centropyge tibicen) in my 55 that I was having a problem with aiptasia in. After about a month or so I noticed there were no longer any small aiptasia in the tank and a few of the medium sized ones looked chewed on while the larger ones were untouched. I suspected the keyhole angel but never caught him in the act. Two weeks ago I put in a rock infested with small aiptasia and within 4 days all of the smaller ones were gone and I actually caught him in the act of chomping down on a small aiptasia. I cheered like my team just scored the winning goal at the superbowl (You have to understand how much I hate aiptasia) Of course he is now my favorite fish. My question is, has anyone else experienced this with this fish or is my guy a little freak of nature?

Blown 346 · 03/06/2006, 03:10 AM

Some Angels will pick at aipstasia, and corals as well.

jiggy · 03/06/2006, 12:31 PM

usually fi the angel eats aptasia.. it will also eat anemones, and other lps.. peppermint shrimp work well at aptasia control too..

McCrary · 03/06/2006, 02:56 PM

I have heard of Copper banded butterfly fish eating aptasia, but never a centropyge angel. That angel is golden.

Crusty Old Shellback · 03/06/2006, 03:08 PM

I've got copper banded's, peppermint shrimp and berghi nudie's and none of them has touch a single apstia in my tank.

Wonder if I should try one of these? I also have a wantanabie angel in that tank and he dosen't touch them either.

I have heard that most butterflies will eat them but they also eat coral poylops so that's kind of out of teh question.

jimmy n · 03/06/2006, 03:24 PM

I'm 2 for 2 on majestic angels that eat aptasia.

The majestic in my first setup did for sure. It cleaned them out quickly.

My current majestic went in after a CBB.. The CBB dissapeared while I was on vacation. The sump has aptasia in it, but they have never resurfaced in the main tank. I assume it's the majestic.

Jim

ratziel · 03/07/2006, 12:15 AM

Thanks for your replies guys. I wasn't aware of any angels that would eat aips. It makes sense since they all seem to be rock and coral pickers. I received no replies about a keyhole angel so I guess they are not that common, even though he wasn't really all that expensive of a fish.

03/05/2006, 11:54 PM	#1
ratziel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 456	Aiptasia eating angel? About 9 months ago I put a Keyhole angel (Centropyge tibicen) in my 55 that I was having a problem with aiptasia in. After about a month or so I noticed there were no longer any small aiptasia in the tank and a few of the medium sized ones looked chewed on while the larger ones were untouched. I suspected the keyhole angel but never caught him in the act. Two weeks ago I put in a rock infested with small aiptasia and within 4 days all of the smaller ones were gone and I actually caught him in the act of chomping down on a small aiptasia. I cheered like my team just scored the winning goal at the superbowl (You have to understand how much I hate aiptasia) Of course he is now my favorite fish. My question is, has anyone else experienced this with this fish or is my guy a little freak of nature?

03/06/2006, 02:56 PM	#4
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	I have heard of Copper banded butterfly fish eating aptasia, but never a centropyge angel. That angel is golden. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

03/06/2006, 03:08 PM	#5
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	I've got copper banded's, peppermint shrimp and berghi nudie's and none of them has touch a single apstia in my tank. Wonder if I should try one of these? I also have a wantanabie angel in that tank and he dosen't touch them either. I have heard that most butterflies will eat them but they also eat coral poylops so that's kind of out of teh question. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

03/06/2006, 03:10 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	Some Angels will pick at aipstasia, and corals as well.

03/06/2006, 12:31 PM	#3
jiggy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: ZOO JERSEY Posts: 774	usually fi the angel eats aptasia.. it will also eat anemones, and other lps.. peppermint shrimp work well at aptasia control too..

03/06/2006, 03:24 PM	#6
jimmy n Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 1,256	I'm 2 for 2 on majestic angels that eat aptasia. The majestic in my first setup did for sure. It cleaned them out quickly. My current majestic went in after a CBB.. The CBB dissapeared while I was on vacation. The sump has aptasia in it, but they have never resurfaced in the main tank. I assume it's the majestic. Jim

03/07/2006, 12:15 AM	#7
ratziel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 456	Thanks for your replies guys. I wasn't aware of any angels that would eat aips. It makes sense since they all seem to be rock and coral pickers. I received no replies about a keyhole angel so I guess they are not that common, even though he wasn't really all that expensive of a fish.