I have had a problem with this for several years actually. I have had no permanent luck with the stuff that you squirt into it. They just come back. So I understand there’s some sort of a natural predator? I really have to do something… It’s taking over my aquarium that is otherwise in really great shape. Words of wisdom?
Aptasia Cancer
- Thread starter jambi
- Start date
- Tagged users None
duberii
Valuable Member
Berghia Nudibranchs do work really well, but they're usually a little hard to find any a little pricey- they're worth looking into if you have a large population. Other predators don't tend to go after the big ones form what I've read
Poof No Eyebrows
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2020
- Messages
- 1,599
- Reaction score
- 8,961
Look into berghia nudibranches. All they eat is them. They are not cheap, and they are not fast, but if you get enough and let them do their thing you should start seeing progress. Peppermint shrimps are another, but they can be hit or miss.
dedragon
5000 Club Member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2019
- Messages
- 6,109
- Reaction score
- 4,535
there are a few predators, copperband butterflyfish, peppermint shrimp, and berghia nudibranchs will all work to varying degrees. Berghias are the absolute natural predator and will only consume aiptasia until it is gone, then they all die. Peppermints sometimes eat aiptasia sometimes not, same with butterflyfish, but peppermints sometimes go after other corals
Cabinetman
Well-Known Member
I find the most effective way to deal with them is to boil a big pot of water and I’ve got a bucket geared up with a 1/4” bulkhead and a shut of valve. I set the bucket of boiling hot water above my tank and open the valve and start hitting the aptaisia with the hot water. Basically cooking them. They don’t come back or seem to spread from doing this. I used to have probably 40-50 in my 560 gallon now I have killed all but a few that are in colonies of Zoe’s. Soon as the hot water hits them they just go limp and don’t even suck in. Just hit them good for 10 seconds and move on.
Salty Underground: The best online store for saltwater livestock
Salty Underground is the online store for the saltwater aquarium hobbyist. We have a large selection of saltwater fish and other marine livestock for sale and always free shipping after $169
Bryan68
Well-Known Member
I would normally say salty underground, but they appear to be out of stock. Sorry, not sure where else to try.
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
clifg
Well-Known Member
I got my berghias from reeftown. Follow the recommendations and get enough so that they start their own colony. They work slowly until the population of Nudibranchs explodes. I've seen them eat massive aiptasia, well over quarter size. The colony also survived a tank tear down and move, they are quite hardy.
