Aiptasia

tiger_al · Jul 23, 2015

question.what's the best way to get rid of aiptasia.in a reef tank.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 23, 2015

I moved this from the other thread since it is a different topic.

There are lots of ways to reduce aiptasia. The best way for your tank will depend on how big the problem is and what size the tank is.

tiger_al · Sep 8, 2015

That's for responding.I have three tanks working together on one system.a 55gallon,40long,20 long.the problem is in the 20 gallon.they are over run.I tried chemicals with a syringe,and pepper shrimp.note working.

twilliard · Sep 8, 2015

tiger_al said:
That's for responding.I have three tanks working together on one system.a 55gallon,40long,20 long.the problem is in the 20 gallon.they are over run.I tried chemicals with a syringe,and pepper shrimp.note working.

There is a good cure for aiptasia but not so good for corals.
If this is or can be a coral free tank then here is how I do it.
Start to raise the temp of the tank slowly to around 89 degrees and Let the salinity drop to 1.010
You will see the aiptasia start to float around like white blobs. Catch as many as you can with a net.
Let this high temp and low salinity go on for about a week and a half.
They will all free themselves and end up in the water column. Dead
This has been the best that I have found for eradicating aiptasia (severe cases)

KJ · Sep 8, 2015

Aiptasia - Appy
Appy, Glass Anemone

Suitability: Remove Them!

Diet: Zooxanthellate, Dissolved Nutrients, Particulate Matter.

Remarks: Read More!

twilliard · Sep 8, 2015

Oh KJ you did it again!
We should work together! Lol

KJ · Sep 8, 2015

We can always be a team and work together my friend.

ReefTankRebel · Sep 8, 2015

Get a bunch of peppermint shrimp and starve your tank for a few days. This will work. You can thank me later lol.

jsker · Sep 8, 2015

Matted File Fish. Problem gone, and one pops up again gone. Tried chemicals, that made them spread even more.

tigerdragon · Sep 8, 2015

I had real good luck with a copper banded butterfly

Reefing Madness · Sep 8, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 9, 2015

tigerdragon said:
I had real good luck with a copper banded butterfly

Me too. I used a Chelmon marginalis and it worked perfectly in my 120.

ScubaShane · Sep 10, 2015

tiger_al said:
question.what's the best way to get rid of aiptasia.in a reef tank.

Peppermint shrimp. I bought 4 for a 220g. Aiptasia were gone in two days.

KJ · Sep 10, 2015

tigerdragon said:
I had real good luck with a copper banded butterfly

ME 2 great fish.

ls2ttgto · Sep 10, 2015

KJ said:
ME 2 great fish.

Cooper band

Worst case find some berghia nudibranch. You'll need to get rid of it once all aiptasia is gone though

ls2ttgto · Sep 10, 2015

shikashane said:
Peppermint shrimp. I bought 4 for a 220g. Aiptasia were gone in two days.

Peppermint shrimp are effective....if they eat the aiptasia. My cousin went through at least 20 peppermints before he found one that ate the aiptasia. Maybe it was just tick luck.

twilliard · Sep 10, 2015

Ok guys
Adding a bunch of peppers and fish will only be destruction later!
Resist the urge to add these to control a pest.
YOU are the best control !

renato120 · Sep 10, 2015

Same problem Here with aptasia.
Can I add a copper band in a 60g cube?
Are they reef safe?

edosan · Sep 10, 2015

For me, easy way, seringe, ro tube and boling water.
Dificult places, aiptasia wand. No chems at all.

Sea MunnKey · Sep 10, 2015

Twice tried Filefish & both times worked. First fish perished from last ice storm whereas second fish started munching on my Hammers & other lps.

Caught him & gave him away to my lfs buddy. Corals are happy now but I'm seeing some Baby aiptasia growing back ... sigh