Aiptasia hekp fast!

johnyboy · Sep 30, 2016

Hey reefers I need a quick answer here if you don't mind. I have aiptasia and I can't get rid of it with the dam zapper. I have a choice of peppermint or file fish. Which is the better way? Thanks !

reeferfoxx · Sep 30, 2016

johnyboy said:
Hey reefers I need a quick answer here if you don't mind. I have aiptasia and I can't get rid of it with the dam zapper. I have a choice of peppermint or file fish. Which is the better way? Thanks !

I would ignore the peppermint and look into the file fish or berghia nudibranchs. However, the nudis are only a temporary fix where as the file fish can thrive for awhile.

johnyboy · Sep 30, 2016

Gotcha. So file fish it is. I have corals though. Do they eat and destroy corals?

reeferfoxx · Sep 30, 2016

johnyboy said:
Gotcha. So file fish it is. I have corals though. Do they eat and destroy corals?

That's the thing! It's a tough trade off. Either berghia nudis will temporarily fix your issue without touching a thing or the risk of a file fish eating polyps and sps. I think if your tank is thriving and your coral colonies are big enough, you shouldn't notice a huge issue with the file fish. Otherwise, get the filefish and let it take care of the major aiptasia issue now and trade him in. You can always pick another one up later. Or get the nudibranchs which only live 6-9 months and are kind of expensive. Plus the aiptasia will return.

OR do like me and start over with clean dry rock for a fresh canvas LOL... I've lost the aiptasia battle time and time again.

Bozoman · Sep 30, 2016

I have great experience with peppermint shrimp. Works for me every time and as long as they are in the tank I never see any aiptasia ever. Id recommend getting more than 1 though as they can be quite shy. They do their work at night for the most part so don't worry if you don't see them at work. There are many shrimp that look like peppermints so make sure you get Lysmata wurdemanni.

It is however is faster and cheaper to boil RO water, put it in a 10ML syringe and aim it directly at the root of the aiptasia to and slowly empty it to cook it. Then suck it up with the same syringe. This is a good solution if you only have a few or if they are very large.

johnyboy · Sep 30, 2016

So the shrimp is better than the filefish?

Bozoman · Sep 30, 2016

Really depends on your tank and its inhabitants. I wouldn't buy an animal I don't intend to keep long term. My experience tells me that peppermints are the best choice long term, but I don't keep fish that will eat inverts that size. There are people who report not having much luck with peppermints or filefish. Better will always be a subjective opinion.

reeferfoxx · Sep 30, 2016

Bozoman said:
Really depends on your tank and its inhabitants. I wouldn't buy an animal I don't intend to keep long term. My experience tells me that peppermints are the best choice long term, but I don't keep fish that will eat inverts that size. There are people who report not having much luck with peppermints or filefish. Better will always be a subjective opinion.

Yes. Exactly. Some have luck with either/or. However, I have heard many horror stories of peppermint shrimp not eating aiptasia but all the zoas in your tank then going after LPS.

Bozoman · Sep 30, 2016

I have kept peppermints with various zoos, palys and LPS in 3 different systems the last 10 years and I have never had any issues with them touching a healthy animal. There are however a great many shrimp that look very similar to Lysmata wurdemanni and it is not uncommon to see them mislabeled and sold as peppermint shrimp.

If you are in doubt. Use boiling water and a syringe.

johnyboy · Sep 30, 2016

Yes many people get camel backs and those are the ones who eat corals. I think I'm going with peppermints instead of file fish. Will the peppermint **** with my cleaner and fire shrimp? Or will they all love each other lol

Bozoman · Sep 30, 2016

Peppermints are easily harassed by other shrimp. They are definitely near the bottom of the shrimp pecking order. Out of the three Lysmata amboinensis will be second and Lysmata debelius will bully them all. Size obviously plays a difference and as with any animal temperament of the individual will play a part. That said i highly doubt you will have problems beyond chasing when it comes to territory and prime real estate. This is one of many reasons I recommend getting 3 or more peppermints. As long as there is enough room for them to avoid each other you will be fine.

JaimeAdams · Sep 30, 2016

Peppermints have been hit or mis for me. File fish may or may not pick at zoanthids and palythoa. Berghia will eat the aptasia. If you have a ton of flow they may end up in the sump before they can do much though.

jsker · Sep 30, 2016

Matted file fish is the aptasia eater

MioReefer · Sep 30, 2016

Peppermint shrimps have worked wonders for me. I also, had a few frags that came in with lots of little aiptasia, I dipped them in Coral Rx for 10mins, gave them a little nudge and they came right off.