Help removing aiptasia!

Alan600 · Oct 17, 2014

I been having a problem with AIPTASIA for the pass 9 months . I gone through 2 bottles I don't know why it keeps coming back . I do 20% water change every two and do regular maintenance on date to base I don't know why it keeps coming back . Does any body know how to keep AIPTASIA under control or get rid of it permanently ?

L-conner · Oct 17, 2014

I bought three pepermint shrimp for my 50gal reef tank. They do a great job keeping the aiptasias under control and now I don't have any I. My tank.

Alan600 · Oct 17, 2014

Okay because I have a shrimp in my 40 gal but it's clear. With a red line on it's back and he's not doing anything . Peppermint shrimp are the all red right?

L-conner · Oct 17, 2014

Saltwater Aquarium Invertebrates for Marine Reef Aquariums: Peppermint Shrimp (Build Your Own Kit) The link has a picture of what a peppermint shrimp Looks like and you have to be careful when buying peppermint shrimp. Cause there are other shrimp that look just like them and get sold as peppermints and they will not eat aipasias

Rhino · Oct 17, 2014

You said you have used two bottles, what product have you used? I tried peppermint shrimp and it was a waste. Mine did not eat a single one. I bought a bottle of Aiptasia X, two doses and all are now gone.

3dees · Oct 18, 2014

my peppermints won't touch it. I only get one now and then. I give them a squirt of boiling lemon juice with a needless syringe. it may take a couple of times but they never come back in the same area.

Alan600 · Oct 18, 2014

I used Aiptasia X . I mean it removes them for a bit and they come back in same spot all over again . I just want something that will keep them under control with out me having to use AIPTASIA x every other day . The aiptasia is coming out some some spots where I have nice zoa colonies and they are not able to fully extend . I went in to my lfs and had some ppl tell me that file fish are good for AIPTASIA but they tend to pick at zoa . I have a few high end zoas that I paid big money and I don't wanna run that risk . I got two peppermint shrimp last night I'm going give them a try if it doesn't work it's back to AIPTASIA x .

mrcoffee2 · Oct 18, 2014

Look into Bhergia Nudis. I am very pleased with them

Alan600 · Oct 18, 2014

Where can I buy them ? I'm in vegas there's only 3 lfs and they are very small .

cpayne015 · Oct 18, 2014

does ATM not have it?

Alan600 · Oct 18, 2014

All they sell in Acrylic tanks .

abinder · Oct 19, 2014

True peppermint shrimp are the way to go. Here's a link describing them:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+2971+701&pcatid=701

Zero Nitrates · Oct 19, 2014

Peppermint shrimp is what I use in my tanks.

mrcoffee2 · Oct 19, 2014

peppermint can go rogue and eat corals. Bhergia are more expensive but do not go after corals. Bhergia also has predators you have to make sure are removed during the cleanup process.

I bought my bhergia from the salty underground

I guess if you don't have expensive corals go pep. If you got corals you care about (LPS) then I would go bhergia

abinder · Oct 19, 2014

Really? I've never heard of peppermint shrimp 'going rogue'.

Alan600 · Oct 19, 2014

Well my tank zoa dominated I only have 3 lps . I do have high end zoas .

mrcoffee2 · Oct 19, 2014

abinder said:
Really? I've never heard of peppermint shrimp 'going rogue'.

They are shrimp. Opportunistic eaters... If a coral is stressed and it see's an opportunity it will take it. That is the risk you have with peps. I have never seen them go after zoas, just LPS Acans, wellys, tachys, symph etc...

mrcoffee2 · Oct 19, 2014

Alan600 said:
Well my tank zoa dominated I only have 3 lps . I do have high end zoas .

I have never seen them eat zoas. I have seen them eat acans and wellys though.

I have tried peppermint shrimp 3 times. Each time I tried from a different supplier and each one I got I made sure was small 1-2 inches... All 3 eventually went rogue, and by rogue I mean they just acted like shrimp... The problem with peppermint I find is that they need to be near starving to eat aiptasia. To do that you have to cut back on feedings... Once they are hungry enough to eat aiptasia LPS I find is fair game too... That is just my experience, a lot of people seem to do well with peppermint shrimp. I think a lot of people who suggest peppermint shrimp have large tanks and might not see the devastation they can cause, or their tanks are FOWLR and very few coral... I thrive in the nano game so I monitor and see a lot more of what goes on.