Best way to kill aiptasia

Natural solutions may be the most effective. I had a severe infection and used all the chemical remedies with no luck. Problem got worse. I added 1 copperband butterfly and about 15 peppermint shrimp to my 210 gallon main display. Three weeks into this there was no visible reduction in the infestation. Then over about 2 weeks every aiptasia gone. Not one remaining. I think once the shrimp discovered that aiptasia were food, they had a feast. Good thing about the shrimp and the copperband, they do not die once the aiptasia gone and will pick off any that return. The copperband now eats out of my hand.
 
If you don't have any predators to them, berghia work very well.

I've used berghia 4+ times (a $1000 invest when totaled) over the years and will probably not use them again. Every time, they would end up missing some aiptasia, and I always ended up back where I started. They also would almost always ignore large ones (even with a 10+ group of med/large berghia) and often, it would take months before I saw any results (to the point where I wondered if they even alive anymore). Combined with the high cost, I don't think I'd recommend berghia anymore.

What worked the last time for me was peppermint shrimp from LA... I chose ordering from there as there were reviews from others having success (it can be a dice roll if a peppermint will eat aiptasia or not). Also, I have found if you use Aiptasia X on large ones, thoroughly epoxying over their hole after them "implode" will sometimes work to keep them from coming back.

I'd try some more peppermint shrimp from another source if I were in your shoes. Unless you tear your tank apart, it'll be impossible to get all the aiptasia.
 
I had great luck with lemon juice injections I was told not to inject through the mouth but through the side of the base it’s not easy to do but is very effective and I didn’t have any spawning issues!
 
I've used berghia 4+ times (a $1000 invest when totaled) over the years and will probably not use them again. Every time, they would end up missing some aiptasia, and I always ended up back where I started. They also would almost always ignore large ones (even with a 10+ group of med/large berghia) and often, it would take months before I saw any results (to the point where I wondered if they even alive anymore). Combined with the high cost, I don't think I'd recommend berghia anymore.

What worked the last time for me was peppermint shrimp from LA... I chose ordering from there as there were reviews from others having success (it can be a dice roll if a peppermint will eat aiptasia or not). Also, I have found if you use Aiptasia X on large ones, thoroughly epoxying over their hole after them "implode" will sometimes work to keep them from coming back.

I'd try some more peppermint shrimp from another source if I were in your shoes. Unless you tear your tank apart, it'll be impossible to get all the aiptasia.
What works for some might not work for others. I for one would never recommend peppermint shrimp due to my experience a few times. Many methods that can work to rid those evil pests.
 
Same here! Been using Aptasia X for years and they keep spreading. My problem is they pop up in the middle of all my Zoa’s, I can’t take the rock out and scrub it, can’t see them unless they are in the water
 
I am using Aiptasia-X of Red Sea. Works well but new Aiptasia polyps turn up after a week or so at other places. I then kill those and so on. I wasn't able to eradicate the problem but at least its under control. I closely inspect rocks on a weekly bases and get rid of the ones I can detect. Afraid it will be impossible to get rid of the problem entirely.
 
+1 for Aiptasia-x, it took me 2-3 weeks of nightly scouting for more growth somewhere else in the tank. I did not want to get peppermint shrimps or other natural aiptasia eaters as they might limit future coral/clam choices.

The one thing I noticed was that my calcium went off the charts, 500. I guess I really hated those buggers and overdosed.
 
In my opinion pastes and other chemical treatments are a hassle and more effort than they’re worth. They Likely will not be able to keep up with the spread of aiptasia, are time consuming, messy, and may even proliferate the problem.

I think the best solution is to dry out/bleach and then re-cycle your rock to get rid of the unwanted critters (I know this isn’t ideal, or even a viable option for many), otherwise, as others have said, peppermint shrimp, aiptasia eating filefish (this one was great for me), copperbands, or similar will help keep the problem at bay, but when they are all out of food they’re accustomed to they may die (regardless of training for other food sources) and you will continuously have aiptasia going this route, only at a lesser level of nuisance.
 
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So aiptasia x just made everything way worse. Spreads them all over the tank. I even turned off pumps and siphoned them out during a water change. I have two peppermint shrimp that aren’t touching them. I’ve heard boiling hot water works in the mouth and of course the other types like nudibranch and file fish. Anyone else have any special methods for removal!
A copperband butterfly , that’s what I have used.
 
Anyone here have any experience with laser or "wand" as its called???? I am surprised nobody mentioned it already ,i have never used it, but I was under the impression that it was very effecyive.....

I use a 4000mw laser. This is not the "wand" device commonly found at aquarium supply stores, but a VERY powerful laser pointer that literally burns the aiptasia underwater. As long as you have a direct line of sight to the aiptasia either through the tank glass or from above the water through a top-down viewing portal, you can zap them quickly and easily. Nothing more gratifying than hearing them crackle & sizzle underwater.

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I tried cementing them in place no good,
I had a small rock out of the water and poured bleach on it no good...
Now trying berghia
 
Has anyone tried Molly Miller blennies for aptasia control ?
 
Nature will find a way. Aptasia are like cockroaches, they will survive in the most unlikely conditions . I tried several chenical methods with varying success, but never eradication. My luck landed on a platoon of peppermint shrimp. Since then 0 aiptasia in the display. They all have retreated to the sump where even after manual removal they still pop up from time to time. I don’t really care as long as they stay in the sump.
 
My go to and I'm surprised it was never mentioned is Joe's juice one and done everytime they eat it and die instantly. Also worked great for hydroids when the popped up.
 
Berghia nudibranch, worked wonders for me.

Another vote for berghias. I had A fairly significant outbreak in my current tank. Tried the following, boiling water injections, kale paste, kalk slurry injections, peppermint shrimp. I swear They just got stronger.

Never having used them before, I was Skeptical. I added 6 nudis to my 120. Never saw them again and began to wonder if I’d fallen victim to yet another reef keeping myth.

Took about 4 weeks to notice anything different, but fairly quickly the aiptasia seemed irritated. Not fully extended. And I ad 2 really big suckers in there. After another week I could Swear their numbers were being reduced but I wasnt Sure if my mind was playing tricks on me. Another week after that, seemed like the final push was literally overnight, and I cant Find a single aiptasia in my tank.

Finally did see a couple nudis in my refugium. They work!
 
Another vote for berghias. I had A fairly significant outbreak in my current tank. Tried the following, boiling water injections, kale paste, kalk slurry injections, peppermint shrimp. I swear They just got stronger.

Never having used them before, I was Skeptical. I added 6 nudis to my 120. Never saw them again and began to wonder if I’d fallen victim to yet another reef keeping myth.

Took about 4 weeks to notice anything different, but fairly quickly the aiptasia seemed irritated. Not fully extended. And I ad 2 really big suckers in there. After another week I could Swear their numbers were being reduced but I wasnt Sure if my mind was playing tricks on me. Another week after that, seemed like the final push was literally overnight, and I cant Find a single aiptasia in my tank.

Finally did see a couple nudis in my refugium. They work!


How much do Nudibranch cost? Do you think that they reproduced to get into your refugium? Are their Aptasia in your refugium?
 
I found an answer. Depending on size & quantity anywhere from $5-$12 each.


https://saltyunderground.com/category/berghia-nudibranch-the-natural-choice-for-aiptasia-control

NOTE: Formerly known as Berghia verrucicornis and recently reclassified as a new species Aeolidiella stephanieae though currently known by its common name of Berghia nudibranch.

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The Berghia species of nudibranch is a sea slug is typically found in shallow waters from 1 to 2 meters in depth and is known to be only from the Florida Keys region. However, due to its popularity in the American aquarium trade, most Berghia purchased are captive bred. There are other nudibranch species that also feed on Aiptasia, and which originate from all parts of the globe, however they are not commonly sold, and obtaining them can be difficult.

The adult Berghia is and is semi-translucent. Juveniles available for purchase in the aquarium trade are typically ¼ - ½ inch in length. “Adults” range in size from ½ to ¾ of an inch in length on average, with fully grown adults ranging in size from 1 to 1½ inches in length.

The ‘head’ of the Berghia has two long oral tentacles. These are used primarily as contact chemoreceptors to taste food quality. Immediately behind the two oral tentacles are the rhinophores. These are typically shorter than the oral tentacles and form a ‘V’ on the head of he nudibranch. The rhinophores are used are distant chemoreceptive sensory organs used to locate distant food sources.

Immediately behind the rhinophores are the ‘eyes’ of the Berghia, capable of very rudimentary vision and believed to be used as a means of sensing light.

Covering the ‘back’ of the Berghia, behind the rhinophores, are numerous protrusions know as Cerata. These cerata are considered to be an extension of the digestive system and form two primary functions. The first is as an aid for oxygen exchange (similar to gills). In addition, they also contain cnidosacs at the tips of the cerata.

These cnidosacs are used as a defensive mechanism and contain re-cycled nematocysts (or stinging cells) that the Berghia has acquired from the Aiptasia they consume. The Berghia ingest immature nematocyst from the Aiptasia then allow them to mature in these cnidosacs. The Berghia are able to encase un-discharged nematocysts within a phagosome which are then stored in these muscularized chambers, called cnidosacs, which are located at the tips of the cerata. When under threat or attack, the Berghia is capable of ejecting their cerata. (NOTE: The Berghia will not sting aggressively like the Aiptasia anemone.)

Berghia also have been shown to harbor the Zooxanthellae, the photosynthetic symbiotic algae found in corals. While utilizing a very primitive form of symbiosis, the Berghia is able to capture zooxanthellae from the Aiptasia. Research has shown that these symbionts continue to perform high levels of photosynthesis and remain in the Berghia’s cerata for as much as 6 days before being excreted. Regular feeding helps the Berghia maintain an active supply of zooxanthellae; however, due to the primitive form of symbiosis, the zooxanthellae are insufficient to prevent starvation of the Berghia in the absence of a readily available food source.


PS: There is much more information on sea slugs at their website.
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