Hey all. I went to Europe and when I came home my tank was all Aiptasia's. I'm not joking when I say that I counted 107 of them this morning, and it's only a 40g tank. Any tips on what to do? Should I buy like 20 peppermint shrimp?
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Peppermints may or may not eat Aiptasia. Buy some berghia nudibranchs or use AiptasiaX! I actually just demolished some Aiptasia in my frag tank with it:
Link: https://amzn.to/3xPXV3z
check online for them. Google it.Thanks for the feedback. Where can I buy some berghia nudibranchs? The stores online that I use don't have any, and my LFS said "what's that?" When I called and asked if they had any lol.
If none of the above work, as a last resort you can try a small Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) They eat 'em up. But you'd probably want to re-home after it grows some. I'm actually gonna have one of these in my upcoming tank. It's a good utilitarian fish.
File fish work VERY well for aiptasia, but do be aware they will likely eat coral as well.Matted filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) - may nip at soft corals like Xenia and random zoa's. They may be mistaken for eating other corals like a corky sea finger gorgonian as they clamp their mouth or bit it to stay steady while sleeping. Mine does this and also uses my green star polyps - without damage. I have one from Biota and it does wonders.
My personal preference is the Matted filefish as I've used them a few times with consistent results. They will also eat prepared foods be it frozen or pellet so no worry about starvation when pest is controlled. More so with captive bred as they are already eating both. However my recommendation is to buy the fish because you want it and utility being a plus/bonus.
Ohhhhhh. Didn't see that coming. I could have sworn I had looked that up!!!File fish work VERY well for aiptasia, but do be aware they will likely eat coral as well.
I have personally used them in 2 of my 5 reefs and they are extremely effective and efficient.
With that being said, I lost $$ in LPS once they had eradicated the unwanted pests. They were more than happy to eat several cynarina, torches, and hammers.
Best of luck!
I've had excellent luck with a Copperband Butterfly
Before file fish.Ohhhhhh. Didn't see that coming. I could have sworn I had looked that up!!!
I hope other people see this message.I've used berghia 2x and with wrasse. Both times cleared them.
I only recommend them if you have a lot of aptaisia. They work well, very well.
Pack hunters, buy 10 at min.
Release at lights out. Let them crawl out of the container not on, but next to an aptaisia. Do not use any other methods while using berghia.
I will beg to differ, both work and work well. I sold and traded my nudibranch when they were done. I started with 4 then sold 10 to 15 at a time, traded for a bunch of acro and was able buy supplies. My peppermints are still keeping aptaisia at bay in my smallest tankIf none of the above work, as a last resort you can try a small Filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus) They eat 'em up. But you'd probably want to re-home after it grows some. I'm actually gonna have one of these in my upcoming tank. It's a good utilitarian fish.

