Filefish vs. Copperband?

[Aspect]

Which of these would be better for Aiptasia removal? I got a filefish 2 weeks ago but it hasn't touched any aiptasia.

 

[davidcalgary29]

Neither fish will give you foolproof aiptasia control. Both fish will also happily attack coral and other decorative inverts, such as feather duster worms. Chemical controls, berghia nudibranchs, and hot water/acidic injections are really much better options.

 

[Aspect]

Neither fish will give you foolproof aiptasia control. Both fish will also happily attack coral and other decorative inverts, such as feather duster worms. Chemical controls, berghia nudibranchs, and hot water/acidic injections are really much better options.

I guess Filefish have been over exaggerated. I really would like a natural way of removal and would love Berghia but I bet my sharks would make a snack out of them before they eradicated the Aiptasia.

 

[srobertb]

I have had all of them.

My juvenile copperband seems to be having an effect on them (I see it nipping at them).

my filefish (sold as “aiptasia eating”) did nothing

I have had luck with Nudibranches but will tell you that you need waaay more than websites call for. I dropped $500 worth of them in my 125g + the copperband and I’m winning

peppermint shrimp are useless.

 

[lion king]

I've had great success with the real Acreichthys tomentosus, the wild variety. Lfs misidentify them all the time and I'm not convinced the captive bred ones are as dependable as the wild ones.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I have had all of them.

My juvenile copperband seems to be having an effect on them (I see it nipping at them).

my filefish (sold as “aiptasia eating”) did nothing

I have had luck with Nudibranches but will tell you that you need waaay more than websites call for. I dropped $500 worth of them in my 125g + the copperband and I’m winning

peppermint shrimp are useless.

This is the way to go with nudibranchs:

1. Get some leafy macro and let aiptasia infest it in your display (this will happen quickly).
2. Start a jarquarium with an airstone.
3. Put four nudibranchs in the jar, and let them eat the aiptasia and breed. Add aiptasia if necessary.
4. Within two weeks, you should have a dozen adults and juveniles, and many eggs. Supply the jar as necessary, and stock your display with the nudibranchs.

 

[Eienna]

Copperbands have been known to refuse to eat just because the frozen food brand was changed. They aren't all like that, but that seems to be the trend, suggesting they only belong in the tanks of the super-dedicated.
I'd either go with berghia or pulling the rock out to chip the aiptasia off (get the rock around it). F-Aiptasia is supposed to work quite well, too.

 

[Aspect]

I've had great success with the real Acreichthys tomentosus, the wild variety. Lfs misidentify them all the time and I'm not convinced the captive bred ones are as dependable as the wild ones.

That looks exactly like the one that was sold to me. It was also wild caught.