Aptasia issues

rjbesch · Jun 4, 2012

I have a few aptasia that I can see, so I am sure there are a few more that I can't see. I want them out of the tank and know of several options to rid the pests. I have injected with boiling water to eliminate a single pest to help it spread to several. I have used the mojano wand to try and rid them to get the same result as above, it just seemed to cause them to spread more. I reaquascaped the tank a little and physically removed a few infected rocks and relocated the coral , and want to get rid of the rest. I have a pair of CB shrimp so adding peppermints aren't the best option as I don't want to provide the CB with an expensive snack. I like the copperband butterfly, but am hesitant as they are iffy in a reef system and I have some high end polyps that I am fond of. My next option is the berghia(sp?) nudibranch. From the stories I have read they seem to be pretty effective, but what happens if they get all of the aptasia? if they die off will they nuke a tank similar to a cucumber? also how many would be sufficient for a 75? Thanks in advance for the input.

Ricky

ritter6788 · Jun 5, 2012

Reeftopia.com has bulk peppermint shrimp that cost about $3.50 each with shipping last I looked. I also haven't had any issues with CBS taking out peppermints. They are too fast.

typicalwhiteazn · Jun 5, 2012

Copperband was a fail for me. it didnt do anything, just ate amphipods ALL day. And you take a risk of introducing diseases they are susceptible to carry.. Berghia are very effective and if you can find them use 'em. Yes, when the last of the aptasia is gone, they will die if you don't remove them. And given their size, they are a bit difficult to locate cause they like to hide during lighted times.

I went with the Peppermint shrimp route. I bought 5 of them. Created a screen/convalescent box that was held up to the wall of the tank with a magnet (magfloat, tunze magnetholder, etc). The screen was made from a door screen and the top of the box was 1/4 inch out of the water. That way the shrimps don't escape and there is some sort of flow. Then I placed the small rock/frag infested with aptasia and within an hour, its eaten up! The idea is to not release them into your tank because they'll get lost in it and being great scavengers, they'll eat whatever foods you introduce into the system before they hunt down the aptasia.

hope this help

rjbesch · Jun 5, 2012

All info is always useful! Thanks guys. Typicalwhiteazn, I like that method, the only issue is the few aphasia I see are on my base rocks and in my fuge, so I can really remove them. I will likely toss some peppermints in the fuge to handle that issue. Ritter6788, I like the idea of peppermints, and I may order some because that's a deal to give it a try once more, but last time I added peppermints, my CBS made quick work of them. I like the idea of the berghia my only concern was will they emit a toxin into the and when they die off if not found and removed?

kcarberry · Jun 5, 2012

Aptasia problems

Are the peppermints any danger to other anemones in the tank or will they just eat the Aptasia?

Dog Boy Dave · Jun 5, 2012

My Copperband and my Golden flake angel fish both eat aptasia. My Emperator does as well but I wouldnt recomend it in a 75 gallon as the Emperators get very large. I have also noticed over the years that fish learn to forage and eat from observing other fish. Ie: fish placed into an environment where the other fish graze, forage and eat will watch and imitate the other fish. In my system, if the fish see another fish eating or even searching aggressively they will all fin over to see what kind of goodies the first fish has found. They also will notice if i move or add a rock and they all flock over to see what goodies the moved rock has exposed. This is also something they learn by watching the other fish. I recycle rocks from part of my sump to feed the Angels sponge and my guys go crazy when they see a new rock. Some copperbands just never learn to eat aptasia. I suggest that if you hand feed, which in my experience is the only way to ensure long term success with a copperband then you could probably teach one to eat aptasia by mixing a few with the morning squid or clam.
I have read accounts of peppermint shrimp eating SPS if they cant find anything else in the tank to eat but I have no personal experience with them. I have never heard of them bothering other anenomie though.

rjbesch · Jun 5, 2012

My peppermints i have had in the past have never messed with my good anemones. I would love to have an emperor angel in my tank as that is one of my favorite fish, but I agree about not tossing one in the 75. I really like the idea of a copperband as my wife is wanting it because it is such a pretty fish. I have learned with this hobby, if i keep her happy I get to be happy....hahaha. I am really digging all this info and enjoy hearing everyone's experience, but I can't seem to find the answer to my original question about the nudis. I have no experience with them and am wondering if they are toxic when they die? I don't want to nuke my tank. Thanks

Ricky

Liquid360 · May 13, 2013

Nope they just die and that's the end.

rjbesch said:
My peppermints i have had in the past have never messed with my good anemones. I would love to have an emperor angel in my tank as that is one of my favorite fish, but I agree about not tossing one in the 75. I really like the idea of a copperband as my wife is wanting it because it is such a pretty fish. I have learned with this hobby, if i keep her happy I get to be happy....hahaha. I am really digging all this info and enjoy hearing everyone's experience, but I can't seem to find the answer to my original question about the nudis. I have no experience with them and am wondering if they are toxic when they die? I don't want to nuke my tank. Thanks

Ricky

Rikerbear · May 13, 2013

I tried the peppermint shrimp....they did nothing....tried the nudi...the peppermint shrimp tore it apart within seconds of being in the tank. I decided to NOT try another nudi.
My success has been in injecting (with a needle) a slurry made of vit C , kalk, and thinned slightly with tank water as needed. I've used this on mojanos and aptasia. They are dead and gone in minutes.......