Aptasia control

Liam's tank

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What is the best way to control aptasia in a 25 gallon tank? I've heard peppermint shrimp are hit or miss, and may be disruptive in other ways. Would a filefish be too big for a 25 gallon tank? If so what would be a good alternative?
 
What is the best way to control aptasia in a 25 gallon tank? I've heard peppermint shrimp are hit or miss, and may be disruptive in other ways. Would a filefish be too big for a 25 gallon tank? If so what would be a good alternative?


Never had an issue with peppermint shrimp, ever. They just seem to take care of the issue and with grace.
 
What is the best way to control aptasia in a 25 gallon tank? I've heard peppermint shrimp are hit or miss, and may be disruptive in other ways. Would a filefish be too big for a 25 gallon tank? If so what would be a good alternative?
If a few, I personally with great success, with use of syringe, inject either lemon juice or better yet. . kalkwasser powder mixed with tank water into a paste the consistency of toothpaste and inject into the very center core and it will melt away
For infestation, my best success has been addition of a
Kleini Butterfly BUT must be the bluehead- NOT the yellow version. The yellow will go after coral too but bluehead as pictured will eat aptasia like candy, then eat all dry and frozen food offered, colorful, friendly and stays small.

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I'm fighting a big aptaisia issue, I moved the infected rock into another tank. I tried nudibranch and haven't seen sense I put them in. I added a copperband and he lasted 3 days purchased on line. Big mistake. I found one eating and purchased him. He's doing well, just haven't seen him eat aptaisia. I added 5 peppermint shrimp and within 10 minutes of acclimating two started eating aptaisia. So the wait Biggins.
 
Peppermint shrimp works 100% for me all 3 times for different periods in the past 4 years. I only keep 1 shrimp at a time in my 32 gallon and no aptasia in sight whatsoever.
 
I am going to share some info about Berghia Nudibranchs that seems to be something we never see posted. I myself was unaware of this until a few days ago...


As for numbers, it depends on how bad the aiptasia is, how many potential berghia predators (wrasse, shrimp, etc.) you have, your bedget, how quick you want the aiptasia gone, etc.

That said, Ive found Reeftowns recommendations to be pretty accurate.

1. At least 1 Berghia per 10 gallons or 2 Berghia per 10 Aiptasia plus one or more per additional 10 Aiptasia for a small infestation, but NEVER less than 2 pair of Berghia. Berghia NEED each other to Hunt, Feed & Breed. If you're not sure, it's best to overestimate rather than underestimate.

2. It is important to realize that Berghia are COLONIAL HUNTERS, COLONIAL FEEDERS & COLONIAL BREEDERS. Therefore, it is important to keep them together and assure there are enough Berghia to be able to find one another for breeding. It is necessary to have several Berghia attack a large Aiptasia at the same time in order to successfully eat it. A single Berghia may spend hours circling and attacking a large Aiptasia and unsuccessfully gain access to it, when several Berghia will circle and attack it together until it's eaten. Further, the Berghia you are adding are the breeders. It's their successive generations that will be your success. That is why we recommend the Medium Berghia, as at that size and age they are laying eggs every 1-3 days.

3. For several groups of more than 10 Aiptasia, a large colony of 8-10 Berghia are needed as Aiptasia multiply quickly. It may take several generations to build a large enough Berghia colony to completely eradicate an Aiptasia infestation.

4. The more Berghia you start with the faster they find each other to lay eggs and the larger the colony becomes. Thus the faster the Aiptasia infestation declines and your aquarium becomes Aiptasia free.


This information comes from a member @DMathys who is breeding Berghia.

Edit: I found this member through a thread where he was asking how to ship them. It is quite possible he may be able to ship to you directly.
 
My peppermint shrimp do nothing except eat the berghia nudibranchs I put in my reef because my peppermint shrimp do nothing lol. Aptasia x every couple of weeks for now
 
What is the best way to control aptasia in a 25 gallon tank? I've heard peppermint shrimp are hit or miss, and may be disruptive in other ways. Would a filefish be too big for a 25 gallon tank? If so what would be a good alternative?
You could try nudibranches.... you wouldn't be able to add but two or so but when they are larger they will eat aiptasia in whole. Very small ones can be preventable with a peppermint shrimp.
 

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