Aiptasia getting a little out of control

[JoJosReef]

Ignore the bubble algae on this snail. Nothing to see here, except two aiptasia that have decided to take residence on a snail!

I periodically go in with kalk paste to clear Aips. But, there are many in the back behind the rocks where I can't reach. A CBB could potentially help. But, there are areas where the CBB surely can't get to which are swarming with Aips. For example:

This is my SPS island, and it has two tunnels in the rocks. Excellent tunnels for the wrasses to swim through, and they love it. I don't know if a CBB could get in there though. It is crawling with Aips on the backside of the tunnel.
Side-note, REALLY awesome rock from the Marshall Islands:

Not sure what the best plan of attack is now. Would a Molly Miller Blenny be wise? I hope I don't have to resort to changing career focus and bioengineering an anti-Aiptasia biological...

 

[bakbay]

I have a Klein Butterfly that can massacre aiptasias but recently acquired a filefish that can twist & turn in tight corners to devour these critters! Understand that fish can't go in tight spaces but who cares right? If you want 100% eradication in tight quarters, you can try berghia nudibranchs (didn't work for me since I had shrimps and other fish that go after these guys). I used to worry about aiptasias but honestly, they're not bad -- totally under control. Yes, if I look hard enough, I might find a few aiptasias buried somewhere but I know that they won't (can't) spread since I have these natural predators.

Good luck!

 

[exnisstech]

Disregard. Just reread about the wrasses

 

[JoJosReef]

I have a Klein Butterfly that can massacre aiptasias but recently acquired a filefish that can twist & turn in tight corners to devour these critters! Understand that fish can't go in tight spaces but who cares right? If you want 100% eradication in tight quarters, you can try berghia nudibranchs (didn't work for me since I had shrimps and other fish that go after these guys). I used to worry about aiptasias but honestly, they're not bad -- totally under control. Yes, if I look hard enough, I might find a few aiptasias buried somewhere but I know that they won't (can't) spread since I have these natural predators.

Good luck!

I forgot to mention that berghia are very short-lived in my tank. Currently have 5 wrasses that all have Bergs on the menu. Problem with peppermint shrimp--I don't think the wrasses would bother them too much--is that they have a tendency to eat your tasty corals. And I have a lot of meaty corals, which are my favorites. I actually removed most of my sexy shrimp because they would pester my corals and only have one now that stays very very close to its nem with a watchful eye on the wrasses.

So that's the debate with a filefish. Would it then go whole hog on my trachy/scoly/lobo/plates/acans and other tasty corals? I'm also aspiring for a cynarina and maybe even an acantho.

 

[JoJosReef]

Disregard. Just reread about the wrasses

Yes, they might become snacks. But then again maybe not. My main worry with them is the meaty corals. Will they leave them alone?

FYI, I'm upgrading soon to the 83gal, which has a sump and plan to have Pepps in the sump to keep that part clear.

 

[bakbay]

I bought a Molly before - waste of money, didn’t eat a single aiptasia. Then you’re really left with a filefish, with caution. Good news is that you can easily catch them.

 

[JoJosReef]

I bought a Molly before - waste of money, didn’t eat a single aiptasia. Then you’re really left with a filefish, with caution. Good news is that you can easily catch them.

I have a CBB coming in November, QT'd. If everything goes smoothly and it continues eating and doing well, we can see how it does managing the Aips in the accessible parts of the tank. Who knows. I've got a pretty aggressive strain of Aips going right now, so hopefully they don't take over the tank beforehand!

 

[exnisstech]

My main worry with them is the meaty corals. Will they leave them alone?

I have two big ones with these pectinia with no problems. I've had them with trachy and lobos in the past. I've read of a lot of folks having trouble with them tho. I'll take peppermints over skunk cleaners with lps any day lol. Used to have to cover my LPS when I fed to keep the cleaners from ripping the food out of thier insides.

 

[JoJosReef]

I have two big ones with these pectinia with no problems. I've had them with trachy and lobos in the past. I've read of a lot of folks having trouble with them tho. I'll take peppermints over skunk cleaners with lps any day lol. Used to have to cover my LPS when I fed to keep the cleaners from ripping the food out of thier insides.

Yeah, I'm the same with cleaner shrimp. Love them. Love their personality and interactions. Can't handle their voracity with stealing food from corals.

 

[rhitee93]

A filefish did amazing things with aiptasia. I was hunting down a dozen a week before, and never saw another after I put it in. Until...

...it started eating my euphyllia. Then I moved the filefish to my QT tank to buy time to figure things out. Guess what? The next day I spotted an aiptasia