Aiptasia problem

[Johnny M]

I finally have aiptasia in my waterbox 100.3 tank . I was considering a Filefish but have read they can nip at certain corals ( soft, zoas, lps, etc...) has anyone who has a filefish experienced this problem? Or would it be worth the risk and get one.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I finally have aiptasia in my waterbox 100.3 tank . I was considering a Filefish but have read they can nip at certain corals ( soft, zoas, lps, etc...) has anyone who has a filefish experienced this problem? Or would it be worth the risk and get one.

If its a few, keep it simple - Using a syringe or pipette, inject either lemon juice or better yet. . kalkwasser powder mixed with tank water into a paste the consistency of toothpaste and inject into the very center core and it will melt away
If many, leathermat file should but you cant beat a Kleini Butterfly BUT must be the bluehead- NOT the yellow version. The yellow will go after coral too but bluehead as pictured will eat aptasia like candy, then eat all dry and frozen food offered, colorful, friendly and stays small. I will note that a couple of persons who got the blue had their kleini nip zoa. if so- easy sell, or place in sump as aptasia have likely made it down there already

 

[apb03]

I have a filefish that keeps aptasia clear. He is pretty harmless for the most part. Probably won't be able to keep acans, blastos, scolys, trachys and such though.

Of all my less than reef safe fish, he's pretty low on the worry list.

 

[Jmp998]

Filefish vary. You may be lucky or not. My aiptasia eating filefish initially only destroyed a large colony of Duncanopsammia. I could live with that, I have torches which she leaves alone and are visually similar. Now she has decided zoas are on the menu. I bought several zoas recently from Cherry Corals $25 sale, they looked great the first day, the next day I came home and the filefish was picking at the last remaining stumps.

Filefish are pretty easy to catch/remove though as they usually sleep out in the open.

 

[besskurz]

Peppermint shrimp always worked for me.
They can nib other things but their life span is not so long too.
Between the cost of fish, I find the shrimp option more cost effective.

 

[bakbay]

+1 for Kleine buttery but +2 for filefish. My filefish massacred aiptasias within the first hour. The butterfly is cool looking but mine sometimes nips on other corals. Both are good choices and I have both! Good luck with aiptasias— I used to worry about them but no more!

 

[Johnny M]

Thanks everyone for the important feedback.

 

[TKCorals]

You can always try Berghia Nudibranch, as aiptasia is their only diet it is a guarantee that they will eat your aiptasia.

I am breed Berghia Nudibranchs and I have saved a lot of tanks over the years.

Reach out if your interested in purchasing some to remove the aiptasia in your tank.

 

[Johnny M]

You can always try Berghia Nudibranch, as aiptasia is their only diet it is a guarantee that they will eat your aiptasia.

I am breed Berghia Nudibranchs and I have saved a lot of tanks over the years.

Reach out if your interested in purchasing some to remove the aiptasia in your tank.

Thanks but I've already have 10 in the tank for about 2 weeks. Really haven't noticed if they're eating the aiptasia yet.

 

[Jmp998]

Thanks but I've already have 10 in the tank for about 2 weeks. Really haven't noticed if they're eating the aiptasia yet.

Unless you have very few Aiptasia (in which case Berghia are not the best option), or you buy a fortune in Berghia, you should not expect to see any change after two weeks. Berghia will do their best to stay hidden in dark cracks and crevices, under rocks, etc unless they are unable to find food there. They will eat the Aiptasia in those places first, before they venture out to munch on the Aiptasia you are seeing out in the open. By all means try one of the other options if you like, but you can't judge whether the Berghia will be effective for 2-3 months until they have had time to reproduce and increase their numbers (generation time is 2 months at typical reef tank temp).