Peppermint shrimp

[Brandonsegula]

I've had an aiptasia problem. I'm sick of going in the tank with aiptasia away. So my question is I've read in certain places peppermint shrimp eat corals? Especially sps? Is this true? I know these are great for eating the aiptasia.

 

[Mike N]

Some people use peppermints, some use berghia nudibranchs. I have no experience with either, maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[DSC reef]

I've never experienced peppermint shrimp eating corals in the years I've kept them. They have taken food from acans but never deliberately ate the acan. Make sure you get a peppermint shrimp and not a camel shrimp.

 

[Winand]

I had a peppermint Shrimp eat my LPS, specifically I caught him eating my brand new Galaxy coral frag. Prior to that I suspect he at my brand new Frogspawn frag. Both were fine when I put them in, then nothing but skeletons the next morning. I took him out and, I've never had an issue with LPS since. I'm also 100% sure he was a peppermint shrimp and not a camel shrimp.

 

[ndrwater]

I have had both.
Peppermints are the devil.
I know some will disagree, but I can say from 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc hand experience, MOST peppermints will indeed eat Aptasia, and when they run out of Aptasia, they will start in on any LPS they can find starting with Acans. In have had them absolutely destroy some massive acan colonies as well as Torches and Euphillia.
The tank I had them in, thankfully relatively small at 60 gallons, didn't have any SPS so I have no personal experience there.
I went so far as tearing the tank apart to get the little devils out.. Then fed them to my Harlequin Tusk.... Who was then happy... As was I...
Peppermints are the devil... Consider yourself warned.

 

[Maritimer]

I haven't had trouble with pepps and acans, but I have had them pick rock-flower anemones to death.

Not the big ordinary rock-flowers, with one or two colors on 'em, but only the smaller "ultra" ones, with the truly astonishing colors.

Every.

Darn.

Time.

~Bruce - who has peppermints in his tank anyway, 'cause there were a bunch of Aiptasia coming out.

 

[paphater]

I had some peppermints come with my tank that wouldn't touch aptaisa. They did destroy a hammer though. I wouldn't add livestock to take care of a problem unless it was a last resort or in a small tank whose rock work can easily be taken out to get them if need be.

 

[Brandonsegula]

What's the best alternative to get rid of aptaisa?

 

[FlyinBryan]

Some people use peppermints, some use berghia nudibranchs. I have no experience with either, maybe someone else will chime in.

I have used them in the past and they are amazing at getting it done! Good luck!

 

[paphater]

If the aptasia isn't overwhelming I'd try something like aptasia-x first.

 

[Matthew Dambra]

I have had peppermint shrimp destroy my aiptasia in a matter of days, I'm have not had any problems with them eating corals
I have acans, lobos, SPS, euphyllia, micromusa. never had any issues
In my opinion they are a bit like flame angels some people never have a problem with them others always do
hard to say until you put them in unfortunately

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I have always had good luck with them.

 

[Bpain05]

I've never had a problem with Peppermint Shrimp messing with my corals other than stealing some food from my acans. They do a great job of clearing the tank of aiptasia.

 

[DSC reef]

If the aptasia isn't overwhelming I'd try something like aptasia-x first.

Just be careful with this method, it can cause an outbreak as well. If you can manually remove the rock from the tank then I'd recommend that first.

 

[Hubbard]

I've had an aiptasia problem. I'm sick of going in the tank with aiptasia away. So my question is I've read in certain places peppermint shrimp eat corals? Especially sps? Is this true? I know these are great for eating the aiptasia.

I had this same problem, and got a File fish. He destroyed every molecule of aiptasia in my 150g tank.

My fish mentors (I'm a newbie) who sold him to me said they would take him back once the aiptasia was conquered, but he adapted to my normal feeding methods, and he's super cool - I couldn't bear to lose him.

He's fine with corals, but not acans, and don't even think about putting one with zoas!! That's just my experience, I've only had this tank five years, I hope that helps a little.

 

[Brandonsegula]

I have a file fish who doesn't touch aiptasia. I bought four nudibranchs that eat the aiptasia does anyone know how long it will take for these guys to tackle the aiptasia?