Filter feed or something more sinister?

[reefjim]

Hi,

Any thoughts on what kind of filter feeder this is?

some kind worm?

 

[WheatToast]

Harmless, filter-feeding fan worms. Nice find!

 

[Alexopora]

Yeah just a regular feather duster. Harmless filter feeders.

 

[reefjim]

Harmless, filter-feeding fan worms. Nice find!

Thanks!! That’s what I hoped

Now to deal with the aptasia I found……want to take bets on the peppermint shrimp

 

[Alexopora]

Thanks!! That’s what I hoped

Now to deal with the aptasia I found……want to take bets on the peppermint shrimp

I have heard horror stories about peppermint shrimps not eating aiptasia and developing a taste for corals. Even my lfs that carries them warns me not to have high hopes on them being your solution to aiptasia. A better aiptasia predator would be Copperband Butterfly and Berghia Nudis. Unfortunately, copperbands are notoriously hard to keep and berghia nudis are expensive and not as easy to find.
1. Prevention is always the best cure. Snip corals off the frag plugs if possible. And have a quarantine tank (if possible) to quarantine corals (big colonies, or those that are too difficult to separate from the fragdisc/base).
2. There are a few aiptasia eradication products. You may wanna research on those as I have never had to deal with aiptasias in my 5 years of reefing. Thus I cant really recommend on which products.
3. Putty. I have seen reefers use putty to cover aiptasias. Not sure how effective this is as its also really manually intensive.

 

[reefjim]

I have heard horror stories about peppermint shrimps not eating aiptasia and developing a taste for corals. Even my lfs that carries them warns me not to have high hopes on them being your solution to aiptasia. A better aiptasia predator would be Copperband Butterfly and Berghia Nudis. Unfortunately, copperbands are notoriously hard to keep and berghia nudis are expensive and not as easy to find.
1. Prevention is always the best cure. Snip corals off the frag plugs if possible. And have a quarantine tank (if possible) to quarantine corals (big colonies, or those that are too difficult to separate from the fragdisc/base).
2. There are a few aiptasia eradication products. You may wanna research on those as I have never had to deal with aiptasias in my 5 years of reefing. Thus I cant really recommend on which products.
3. Putty. I have seen reefers use putty to cover aiptasias. Not sure how effective this is as its also really manually intensive.

Thanks for the input

I have heard the horror stories too!

my lfs believed it was a misconception that they attack the coral, and more they actually only ate the dead layers and were ultimately good for the coral.

it’s a new tank with only a couple of hammer ls and an elegance at this stage.

2 peppermint shrimp went in tank this arvo, be interesting to see what happens.

i am curious to see if they go for the aptasia.

 

[IKD]

You may have better luck with this shrimp. More reliable aiptasia control.

Kukhenthal's Aiptasia Eating Shrimp

Lysmata kuekenthali Size: 1.5 inches Diet: Leftover food, Aiptasia Reef Safe: Yes Best Use: Aiptasia control Dr. Mac's Comments: Kukenthal's Cleaner Shrimp eat Aiptasia, just like Peppermint Shrimp but better! They do well in reef aquariums and can be kept in small groups. Click Here for...

pacificeastaquaculture.com

 

[reefjim]

You may have better luck with this shrimp. More reliable aiptasia control.

Kukhenthal's Aiptasia Eating Shrimp

Lysmata kuekenthali Size: 1.5 inches Diet: Leftover food, Aiptasia Reef Safe: Yes Best Use: Aiptasia control Dr. Mac's Comments: Kukenthal's Cleaner Shrimp eat Aiptasia, just like Peppermint Shrimp but better! They do well in reef aquariums and can be kept in small groups. Click Here for...

pacificeastaquaculture.com

Oh that’s awesome thanks

I will see if I can source one in Australia