Best AEFW predators

[kartrsu]

Sadly I found out that I had AEFW which was causing one of my Millies to lose color. I’ve since dipped all frags and removed eggs. However I do have two acros (another Millie and Green Slimer) that are encrusted to the rock, so dipping is not an option.

Going to try KZ flatworm stop and introduce a predator. I currently have a red Solon and a lubbocks wrasse that are established. Tank is 65G. What are some good AEFW recommendations?

 

[Troylee]

Most wrasses or any fish if you baste them into the water column with a turkey baster..

 

[jda]

Most things will eat them, they just won't hunt on them. Most fish will eat them if you blow them into the watercolumn.

Shrimp are good - peppermints are the best. Arrow crabs. Acro crabs are wonderful. Probably emerald and pitho crabs too.

Some of the hunter/pecker fish like copperbands can eat them, but they struggle to get deep into colonies.

 

[PeterErc]

How large are the colonies encrusted on the rock? If not too big it may be worthwhile to remove them to dip weekly until no signs of FW, 6-8 weeks. Set up a proper QT if more acro are planned for future

 

[kartrsu]

How large are the colonies encrusted on the rock? If not too big it may be worthwhile to remove them to dip weekly until no signs of FW, 6-8 weeks. Set up a proper QT if more acro are planned for future

Not that large I guess, maybe 3x3 inch encrusted? Wondering if I cut it off and just use kalkpaste to kill the encrusted portions …..

 

[Troylee]

Not that large I guess, maybe 3x3 inch encrusted? Wondering if I cut it off and just use kalkpaste to kill the encrusted portions …..

That’s a good option! It’s easy to cure now then later when you wanna add more acros and have regrets..

 

[kartrsu]

Most things will eat them, they just won't hunt on them. Most fish will eat them if you blow them into the watercolumn.

Shrimp are good - peppermints are the best. Arrow crabs. Acro crabs are wonderful. Probably emerald and pitho crabs too.

Some of the hunter/pecker fish like copperbands can eat them, but they struggle to get deep into colonies.

Are Acro crabs effective? The idea of them sounds cool but I don’t have colonies. More like grown out frags if that makes sense.

 

[jda]

Acro crabs job is to keep their host clean. They are good at it. They don't live long (year or two) and will not likely wander off of the acro, so they will not get rid of AEFW. They should keep their single acro clean.

 

[PeterErc]

Not that large I guess, maybe 3x3 inch encrusted? Wondering if I cut it off and just use kalkpaste to kill the encrusted portions …..

Kalk paste will kill it can also scrub the base with a tooth brush, scratch the base off with a utensil, cover with epoxy.

 

[jda]

The things can swim away when they sense danger is coming. They can swim back too. They are good at surviving.

 

[kartrsu]

Thanks for all the help guys. I’m going to start the management route with weekly dips and yellow coris wrasse and if it doesn’t improve, then go with removal and fallow route.

 

[ScottB]

Thanks for all the help guys. I’m going to start the management route with weekly dips and yellow coris wrasse and if it doesn’t improve, then go with removal and fallow route.

Peppermint shrimp are good. SPECULATION: I think they do best on eggs. I don't think they climb (unless they have to) on live acro flesh. Good luck proving me wrong. Eating eggs is enough to justify and solve.

Springeri damsels are -- I think -- underrated AEFW assassins. Mean fish though.

Lastly, as long as you have sand, Melanurus Wrasse and/or 6/12 lines wrasses.

 

[areefer01]

Whatever you end up with I would recommend buying the animal, fish or shrimp, because you like it with utility possibilities second or a distant third. Nothing like buying an animal expecting it to do A and it decides it likes the more readily available food(s).

 

[kartrsu]

Whatever you end up with I would recommend buying the animal, fish or shrimp, because you like it with utility possibilities second or a distant third. Nothing like buying an animal expecting it to do A and it decides it likes the more readily available food(s).

Is the yellow Coris wrasse not a good option for AEFW?

 

[Dorsetsteve]

Not that large I guess, maybe 3x3 inch encrusted? Wondering if I cut it off and just use kalkpaste to kill the encrusted portions …..

If you can glue what you cut off onto a tile it will make the process of dipping it easier going forward. Once you are clean you can always cut down or off the tile to remount.

 

[ScottB]

Is the yellow Coris wrasse not a good option for AEFW?

Yellow coris is good. Six line also good. Melanurus too.

 

[AlexandraDreadlocksPanda]

The best predator of AEFW by far is you, armed with a garden sprayer filled with tank water with Potassium Chloride added. Drain down tank, spray Acro’s & rockwork, wait 30 mins and refill. Repeat 3 more times at 2 week intervals. Worked for me in my 5’ & frag tank .

 

[kartrsu]

The best predator of AEFW by far is you, armed with a garden sprayer filled with tank water with Potassium Chloride added. Drain down tank, spray Acro’s & rockwork, wait 30 mins and refill. Repeat 3 more times at 2 week intervals. Worked for me in my 5’ & frag tank .

Does this create unhealthy levels of potassium build up or affect the livestock in anyway?

 

[Kactai]

The best predator of AEFW by far is you, armed with a garden sprayer filled with tank water with Potassium Chloride added. Drain down tank, spray Acro’s & rockwork, wait 30 mins and refill. Repeat 3 more times at 2 week intervals. Worked for me in my 5’ & frag tank .

I would also like to know more about this.

 

[kartrsu]

Also wondering if the potassium levels get too high…