Dealing with Aptasia

[IntuMarine1G]

I recently spotted a single Aptasia in my tank and knowing how pesky they can be I immediately pumped it full of Aptasia-X.

It only took about 4 days for this single one to be back to full size and I noticed 3 more. So, I hit them with Ap-X and low and behold after 3/4 days they were all back and I noticed a few more...

I now have at least 20/30. Some of which are a fair size.

I'm not keen on a peppermint shrimp as I had issues with cleaner shrimp when feeding my coral. My tank is too small to add any other fish who could deal with it.

What other livestock options do I have?

What other chemical options do I have?

Cheers.

 

[PR_nano]

In a smaller tank Berghia Nudibranch if there isn't predators. Peppermint can be hit or miss but if you go that route make sure you get a Lysmata wurdemanni.

Non livestock a lot of folks recommend lemon, peroxide, vinegar, kalkwasser. I tried Nudi before and had partial success. I had around 30~ and they did pretty good job but there are some left. Now I'm looking into kalk against the 3 or 4 left before they propagate.

 

[Mike N]

F-Aiptasia works a lot better than Aip-X for me. I never see the population explosion after using F-Aiptasia.

 

[User1]

I recently spotted a single Aptasia in my tank and knowing how pesky they can be I immediately pumped it full of Aptasia-X.

It only took about 4 days for this single one to be back to full size and I noticed 3 more. So, I hit them with Ap-X and low and behold after 3/4 days they were all back and I noticed a few more...

I now have at least 20/30. Some of which are a fair size.

I'm not keen on a peppermint shrimp as I had issues with cleaner shrimp when feeding my coral. My tank is too small to add any other fish who could deal with it.

What other livestock options do I have?

What other chemical options do I have?

Cheers.

I do not go the route of chemicals but some have success with aptasia-x, kalk paste, and maybe one other which I forget.

Natural predators such as fish and shrimp just depends. Hit or miss and all fish are different. Matted Filefish is one. Copperband Butterflyfish is another. I've personally used both with good success although I push the Matted Filefish over the Copperband due to its unique requirements and more advanced care and needs (around getting to eat).

Peppermint shrimp are a possibility but again some do, some don't, and it comes down to the actual aiptasia's size. Also Peppermint shrimp, along with cleaner shrimp, are opportunistic feeders. Meaning they will steal food from corals. I've seen them pilfer food from my Elegance and even bubble tip anemones.

There are also nuidibranch - berghia's that work. However, I've personally not tried them. They cost an arm and leg. And above all if you have predator fish like a wrasse they won't live to see the morning light in most cases.

So...

Matted Filefish (Ora captive raised are nice) is a good choice - but may nip at corals (mine eats Zoas - FYI).

 

[IntuMarine1G]

In a smaller tank Berghia Nudibranch if there isn't predators. Peppermint can be hit or miss but if you go that route make sure you get a Lysmata wurdemanni.

Non livestock a lot of folks recommend lemon, peroxide, vinegar, kalkwasser. I tried Nudi before and had partial success. I had around 30~ and they did pretty good job but there are some left. Now I'm looking into kalk against the 3 or 4 left before they propagate.

Are those Nudibranchs reef safe? I wouldnt have known that about the shrimp either so thanks

 

[IntuMarine1G]

F-Aiptasia works a lot better than Aip-X for me. I never see the population explosion after using F-Aiptasia.

Ive actually never seen that brand but thanks Ill have a look

 

[User1]

Are those Nudibranchs reef safe? I wouldnt have known that about the shrimp either so thanks

Yes, they are. I am not pushing any specific site - just providing the proper spelling (well, because I suck) for reference hopefully this will help.

Berghia Nudibranch for Sale

Aiptasia eating Berghia Nudibranch for sale

saltyunderground.com

 

[Hugh Mann]

Following because I recently found aiptasia in my tank.

Since it is one stalk on one rock I'm thinking I'm going to try sterilizing that particular rock, but if it doesn't work, I need options.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

I do not go the route of chemicals but some have success with aptasia-x, kalk paste, and maybe one other which I forget.

Natural predators such as fish and shrimp just depends. Hit or miss and all fish are different. Matted Filefish is one. Copperband Butterflyfish is another. I've personally used both with good success although I push the Matted Filefish over the Copperband due to its unique requirements and more advanced care and needs (around getting to eat).

Peppermint shrimp are a possibility but again some do, some don't, and it comes down to the actual aiptasia's size. Also Peppermint shrimp, along with cleaner shrimp, are opportunistic feeders. Meaning they will steal food from corals. I've seen them pilfer food from my Elegance and even bubble tip anemones.

There are also nuidibranch - berghia's that work. However, I've personally not tried them. They cost an arm and leg. And above all if you have predator fish like a wrasse they won't live to see the morning light in most cases.

So...

Matted Filefish (Ora captive raised are nice) is a good choice - but may nip at corals (mine eats Zoas - FYI).

Yeah not keen on anything that may nip at corals I dont have any Zoas mind you so could work. Cheers for the info.

 

[PR_nano]

Are those Nudibranchs reef safe?

Yes, they only eat Aiptasia. If possible try to relocate after they're done other wise they will starve and die.

 

[Mike N]

Are those Nudibranchs reef safe? I wouldnt have known that about the shrimp either so thanks

They are reef safe but they are costly. I have bought many rounds of them only to have them seemingly disappear after a while, with plenty of aiptasia remaining.
I think the cheapest thing to do is F-Aiptasia from @Frank's Tanks
After that you could try one of the natural predators.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

Following because I recently found aiptasia in my tank.

Since it is one stalk on one rock I'm thinking I'm going to try sterilizing that particular rock, but if it doesn't work, I need options.

Its a pain honestly. You try an deal with it and they multiply lol

 

[User1]

Yep - they are expensive which is why I've not tried them personally. I have the matted filefish and a copperband. I didn't have much luck with my current tank when I tried peppermint shrimp.

Had I reacted quicker when I saw my first aiptasia I would have tried f-aiptasia. But I didn't and now have them in my sump, over flow, etc. Display is clear though due to the fish. At least that we can visually see.

One thing though is be careful if you do anything manually. I think they can spread via spore by messing with them. Not sure if this is true or a myth but something that always sticks in my mind. So with your product just try and be as quick as you can. If that makes sense.

 

[Russell Casey]

I didn't find them costly compared to the war I had in a 50 gallon tank with aiptasia from hell. I used Aiptasia X and the jerks kept mutiplying, F-Aiptasia, with the flow slowed down worked better, but I was killing 12 to 13 a day, to find a week later, 20 more. I went and purchased Berghia Nudibranch, it took about four months and my tank was free from the jerks. Here is a video I took at about 2am in the morning where the one nudibranch was chomping on the aiptasia and the other berghia was holding the aiptasia so it couldn't shut. Thought I share as this is rare to catch it on video since nudi's are nocturnal.

I unfortunately wasn't able to relocate them because I never saw them except one time at night. I reccomend 1 berghia per 15 gallons, they do better in pairs. I had four in my main tank, two in my refugium, and two in sump. The cost was about $100 or so with shipping. I spent $75.00 plus countless hours fighting aiptasia over and over with chemical treatments. I also lost a diamond spot goby who was nice and fat, because Aiptasia X was in the water and he came up and swallowed the little beed of it. After that day, never saw him again .

The point is when you see 5 there are probably 30. In an experiment I did I put one aiptasia from the main tank that was on a rock.in a 10 gallon tank. The 10 gallon tank had aragonite sand and ulva. I waited two weeks. I started chemically killing the aiptasia it took four months to find them all. That is a lousy 10 gallon tank, how about a 200 gallon tank. My pod population which I was feeding phyto every other day, exploded about two weeks after the aiptasia's went away for good.

I am not pushing a site etc., but I can tell you with 100% certainty for me I was spending five hours a week on aiptasia. I will never again not quarentine ever.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

Yep - they are expensive which is why I've not tried them personally. I have the matted filefish and a copperband. I didn't have much luck with my current tank when I tried peppermint shrimp.

Had I reacted quicker when I saw my first aiptasia I would have tried f-aiptasia. But I didn't and now have them in my sump, over flow, etc. Display is clear though due to the fish. At least that we can visually see.

One thing though is be careful if you do anything manually. I think they can spread via spore by messing with them. Not sure if this is true or a myth but something that always sticks in my mind. So with your product just try and be as quick as you can. If that makes sense.

I think thats more or less my problem. When I zap it with the product it has shot out spores and multiplied. So ive been reluctant to try it again as I always end up with more.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

I didn't find them costly compared to the war I had in a 50 gallon tank with aiptasia from hell. I used Aiptasia X and the ******** kept mutiplying, F-Aiptasia, with the flow slowed down worked better, but I was killing 12 to 13 a day, to find a week later, 20 more. I went and purchased Berghia Nudibranch, it took about two months and my tank was free from the ********.

I unfortunately wasn't able to relocate them because I never saw them except one time at night. I reccomend 1 berghia per 15 gallons, they do better in pairs. I had four in my main tank, two in my refugium, and two in sump. The cost was about $100 or so with shipping. I spent $75.00 plus countless hours fighting aiptasia over and over with chemical treatments. I also lost a diamond spot goby who was nice and fat, because Aiptasia X was in the water and he came up and swallowed the little beed of it. After that day, never saw him again .

The point is when you see 5 there are probably 30. In an experiment I did I put one aiptasia from the main tank that was on a rock.in a 10 gallon tank. The 10 gallon tank had aragonite sand and ulva. I waited two weeks. I started chemically killing the aiptasia it took four months to find them all. That is a lousy 10 gallon tank, how about a 200 gallon tank. My pod population which I was feeding phyto every other day, exploded about two weeks after the aiptasia's went away for good.

I am not pushing a site etc., but I can tell you with 100% certainty for me I was spending five hours a week on aiptasia. I will never again not quarentine ever.

That sounds like hell and exactly what Im trying to avoid haha. Glad to know they worked out for you though. I dont have a QT set up but I do dip everything (corals wise) before adding. I should probably set one up.

 

[Russell Casey]

I think thats more or less my problem. When I zap it with the product it has shot out spores and multiplied. So ive been reluctant to try it again as I always end up with more.

If you have more than three or four aiptasia my opinion is you have at least 20. I am not trying to be the bearer of bad news. Most Aiptasia hide so dang well, if your seeing some in the open they are running out of places to hide. This is why it is so important that I am doing now which is quarantine. As I didn't quarantine some ulva and it was hell. Went and looked through the ulva best I could, and about a month later they started appearing.

 

[IntuMarine1G]

If you have more than three or four aiptasia my opinion is you have at least 20. I am not trying to be the bearer of bad news. Most Aiptasia hide so dang well, if your seeing some in the open they are running out of places to hide. This is why it is so important that I am doing now which is quarantine. As I didn't quarantine some ulva and it was hell. Went and looked through the ulva best I could, and about a month later they started appearing.

Oh yeah...I know they are there lol the ones out on display are getting big man

 

[Westside Guy]

I have tried all of the usual suspects to fight aiptasia and finally have a winner, a filefish. Both ORA and Biota sell them to my LFS.

 

[AlgaeBarn]

We sell true peppermint shrimp, but if you absolutely don't want to go that route +on the berghia nudibranch. Try the salty underground. ~Shaun K