How many Peppermint shrimps should I get?

[jgvergo]

I have an 85 gal DT and I have a growing aptasia problem. I'd say I have between 25 and 50 visible Aptasia at the moment.

I have decided on using Peppermint Shrimp to manage the Aptasia.

I know that Peppermint Shrimp are "hit or miss" when it comes to dealing with Aptasia so I want to get more than one. My question is, how many should I get?

I just checked out Live Aqaria and they have good deals on Peppermint Shrimps (3 for $32 and 6 for $62). Given my tank size and Aptasia situation, I'm torn between getting 3 and 6. How man should I go for, and why?

 

[saltybees]

6, cause 5 of them won’t eat it

 

[WVNed]

6, cause 5 of them won’t eat it

More like 15

 

[jgvergo]

More like 15

Yikes!

 

[jgvergo]

6, cause 5 of them won’t eat it

This is really the crux of the matter!. What is the likelihood that a Peppermint Shrimp will eat Aptasia? I'd like to know the ACTUAL PROBABILITY!

 

[WVNed]

I have had many peppermint shrimp. Only one ever touched an aiptasia while I was watching.

 

[saltybees]

Could try berg nudis instead, they will definitely eat them.

 

[jgvergo]

I have had many peppermint shrimp. Only one ever touched an aiptasia while I was watching.

Can I ask two questions: 1) How many Peppermint Shrimps have you had and 2) Did all of them have Aptasia to munch on? If not, how many did?

 

[jgvergo]

Could try berg nudis instead, they will definitely eat them.

I've tried them before. There are two aspects I don't like: 1) berg nudis die after they wipe out the Aptasia and 2) they are expensive

 

[Terry Le]

Make sure that you dont have fish that will eat them. KP Aquatic have 5 for 30 or you can buy single

 

[jgvergo]

Make sure that you dont have fish that will eat them. KP Aquatic have 5 for 30 or you can buy single

I appreciate the pointer, but they are currently out of stock

 

[Crabby48]

I would do atleast 5 but if they are going to work 15
I tried many peppermint shrimp trying to help with aiptasia. At lone point I had filefish, copper band and peppermint shrimp. Few Aiptasia disappears but not much
Good luck

 

[Crabby48]

Also not sure how you feed but if you can cut back feeding and try and not let Aiptasia to catch the food it will help get rid of them.

 

[jgvergo]

I would do atleast 5 but if they are going to work 15
I tried many peppermint shrimp trying to help with aiptasia. At lone point I had filefish, copper band and peppermint shrimp. Few Aiptasia disappears but not much
Good luck

 

[jgvergo]

Thanks Crabby. I was seriously considering a Filefish, but I don't want to take the risk with my corals. Corals are challenging enough without have something chowing down on them!

 

[Brandon3152134]

Kalk paste is very effective for me but you need to stay on top of it. It's more of a management than an eradication. Havent tried them but nudibranchs seem to be the best natural option. Peppermints are practically useless, they dont eat enough if any and will ripe corals apart on occasion especially pocillapora.

 

[Crabby48]

Thanks Crabby. I was seriously considering a Filefish, but I don't want to take the risk with my corals. Corals are challenging enough without have something chowing down on them!

Watch the peppermint shrimp also. Invert or fish option can nibble coral

 

[Tiki Reef Joshua]

Thanks Crabby. I was seriously considering a Filefish, but I don't want to take the risk with my corals. Corals are challenging enough without have something chowing down on them!

I would consider peppermint shrimp a greater risk to coral, less dependable than filefish, not cool looking, and harder to catch. Filefish are awesome. Tons of great coral tanks you see with a filefish. If he becomes a problem you can catch him in about 1 second.

 

[Crabby48]

I would consider peppermint shrimp a greater risk to coral, less dependable than filefish, not cool looking, and harder to catch. Filefish are awesome. Tons of great coral tanks you see with a filefish. If he becomes a problem you can catch him in about 1 second.

Scooped my filefish up with my hand. Didn’t really try to get away

 

[Uncle99]

I thought the “hit or miss” was the risk of peps finding a taste for corals. Mine clearly ate a few hundred dollars in Acans.
The eat Aptasia thing is in addition to other things unlike the Berghia which eats only Aptasia.