Aiptasia and Berghia Nudibrachs???

[Brooke&tims ocean]

I am just starting up my 270 gal reef tank and I have acquired some rock that currently has Aiptasia growing on it. I am trying to figure out what is the best way to rid my tank of this problem before I really get started. All we currently have in there is two clowns. We are adding some corals this week with a clean up crew. Hoping for some help... There are way to many tiny little heads of Aiptasia to treat them individually...

 

[Bry]

Following along.. Getting ready to invest in some Berghia myself and curious to see everyone's responses and results.

 

[ReeferBob]

It was a bad idea to use rock with Aiptasia on it. Once infested it is very hard to get rid of. Most people would have gotten rid of them before putting the rock in the tank. I would have recommended you to cook the new rock totally before adding it. Now that it is in there the Aiptasia will spread. You could try peppermint shrimp. The nudi will work but will die as soon as they are all gone. So you should arrange for the next owner as soon as you get it.

 

[Lee's Fragtacular Corals]

Berghia Nudibranchs eat aptaisias like there is no tomorrow! Just make sure that your paremeters are in check and reasonably stable.

 

[a49panhead]

+1 on the peppermint shrimp. i had a bad out brake a wile ago and it eat them all in less then a week.

 

[Eienna]

I have been battling an outbreak for months - and it's beating me. Two peppermint shrimp and a matted filefish in my 50g...with no luck.

My suggestion is remove any rock with it while you still can. If it's too late for that, get the berghias. They're super-expensive (which is why I don't have them) but basically surefire.

My personal remedy now is that I'm upgrading to a new tank, so I'm nuking the rock with vinegar baths (in stages, so I don't leave the fish without a cycle) and re-cycling it in quarantine in prep for setting up the new tank.

 

[WhoKnew]

I bought a peppermint shrimp and I am down to 2 Aiptasia. Yeah

 

[crystal181]

Peppermint shrimp has eaten mine.

 

[adhd_nerd]

Nudi's are the best. Just slow sometimes but eventually get everywhere. Into overflow, sumps and other areas which are not visible.

 

[TJ's Reef]

In my experience UNFORTUNATELY! Peppermint Shrimp are hit-n-miss and even when effective not entirely so being that they seem to annoy the Aiptasia causing them to release their spores further exacerbating the problem before actually reducing their numbers. Then just keeping them in check. If you currently have or plan to have mid sized Wrasses, Hawkfish or Reef-safe Triggers no bueno for shrimp either.
I purchased 6 adult Berghia which completely took care of several hundred of these nasty lil pests and was able to collect from my fuge 7 or 8 to sell/trade in the process. Obviously breeding in my system as I spied several others but was unable to capture any to re-home. Observing these Nudi's is like watching a Hound Dog hot on a scent trail though for them rapidly covering 8-12" on the scent trail directly to an Aiptasia then slowly and methodically consuming it down to NOTHING. They usually shipp with pipettes for acclimation and placement and is also a great tool to capture offspring or to relocate individuals with. I don't know if we have a Sponsor here for Berghia but there is a good supplyer out here my way under the 'Reef Pest Solutions' name. Matt is a very accomplished breeder and seller of them. Anyhow, good luck with whichever route you go in ridding Aiptasia from your system.

Cheers, Todd