Shhhh... I'm hunting aptasia....

azbigjohn · Aug 27, 2016

Said in my best Elmer Fudd voice...

As well as I grow them, I don't know why I hunt and kill them... Compared to any other coral or anemone, I've got aptasia rearing down to a science!

I have a 165 with a a few LPS and softies, a couple small SPS frags. My other tank (a small 29 gallon) I eradicated them with some Berghia, but that just isn't financially feasible with the 165. I'm still kicking myself for moving a frag from the 29 to the 165, even though I checked it really well for any aptasia, I guess I didn't check well enough!

I would like to add a few peppermint shrimp, just don't know if they would be on the menu. My other occupants are a large Midas Blenny, Firefish, Bicolor blenny, 3 O. Clowns with a RBTA, a large pajama cardinal . I realize they are hit or miss, but I am losing the weekly Aptasia X battle right now...

Anyone you see that would contradict some peppermint shrimp?

najer · Aug 27, 2016

Get true peps, I've not had aips for ages, still 2 peps in the tank though!

Lionfish Lair · Aug 27, 2016

azbigjohn said:
Said in my best Elmer Fudd voice...

I have to admit, as I was clicking on the thread to read, my head said "Be vewy vewy quiet".

As you said, they can be hit or miss.... I've had the "hit". They were better with the smaller ones verses large appies. I put vinegar etc on the few large ones and for some reason, the shrimp took care of them after they were damaged by different interventions. Get some nice sized shrimp and no one should touch them. They lived in my tank for years. I found a MASSIVE one I didn't know was still in there, when I moved tanks.

tripdad · Aug 27, 2016

I think a beautiful copperband butterfly would like that 165 really well, gorgeous fish!

Lionfish Lair · Aug 27, 2016

You may want to look this up, because this was "true" about 15 years ago, but I don't know if it's been proven otherwise since. I haven't looked up Copperbands since I had one.

"Back then" we were told the Australian Copperbands weren't as likely to eat aippies as the ones from the Indian ocean. However, at the time, the Australians were easier to get on prepared foods. Our Australian started to eat appies, but then the foxface started eating them and the Copperband gave up and never restarted... not that he ate them with gusto at any point, so I don't know if the whole Australian vs Indian are true.

azbigjohn · Aug 27, 2016

tripdad said:
I think a beautiful copperband butterfly would like that 165 really well, gorgeous fish!

I've considered one, but that would be the most challenging fish I have ever attempted, and that gives me pause. Likewise, I have a couple large, beautiful feather dusters that are my wife's favorite things in the tank and an RBTA, both of which I have heard on the CBB's menu...

Just haven't decided if I want to take that plunge...

twilliard · Aug 27, 2016

A broken heater showed me a way to get rid of aiptasia

Lionfish Lair · Aug 27, 2016

Don't buy a fish as a solution to anything, especially a difficult one, unless it's one you wanted before an issue. Mine cleaned out all the tube worms, but I don't remember if he touched the cocoworm. I didn't keep any large dusters besides that, because of their reputation.

tripdad · Aug 27, 2016

twilliard said:
A broken heater showed me a way to get rid of aiptasia

Now that's funny!

Lionfish I agree about not buying an animal in hopes of a cure, I have had several CB's over the years and have enjoyed them very much. I do like when I can create a natural food chain in my little glass box. I find these to be very docile fish and great open water swimmers that add a lot of beauty to my tank, I dislike most fish that hide in holes. Azbigjohn you are right, they can be a challenge to get eating. Best of luck in your battle, I hate those little pest.