Another aiptasia thread…

[Formulator]

I’m at my wits end with these buggers. Things I’ve tried and things I haven’t tried with reasoning:

Aiptasia-X: Tried. Seems like they disappear for a couple days and come back with reinforcements.

Aiptasia eating file fish: Tried. Most successful attempt, but started eating my zoas and killed my RBTA. Returned to LFS.

Berghia nudibrach: Tried twice now. Might as well light my wallet on fire.

Peppermint Shrimp: Have not tried. I have 2 cleaner shrimp already. Concerned about husbandry.

Lemon juice: Have not tried. How would this work any better than aiptasia-x?

Other suggestions? Whoever invents a tank treatment for these satanic creatures is going to be a millionaire…

 

[Mr Fishface]

Have you tried kalk paste? I used that with good success. Need to do it again. Basically mix kalk powder into a paste, pull into syringe, turn off all flow/power heads and then directly squirt it onto the aiptasia. Make sure to coat the base when it retracts. They are a serious pain to deal with!

 

[Formulator]

Have you tried kalk paste? I used that with good success. Need to do it again. Basically mix kalk powder into a paste, pull into syringe, turn off all flow/power heads and then directly squirt it onto the aiptasia. Make sure to coat the base when it retracts. They are a serious pain to deal with!

Thanks. I’m pretty sure aiptasia-x is just kalk paste in a bottle with some purple food coloring lol. But I haven’t been coating the base, so maybe that will help. I thought you were supposed to get them to ingest the stuff but I can’t seem to get the technique down.

 

[phillyb614]

I got a filefish and a few peppermints. I have not seen a single glass anemone in my tank in months, it was a BAD outbreak too.

For the filefish, I have never seen him go after a single coral. Even now with all the aiptasia gone. I think the are 2 key reasons for this. One, I got lucky and didn’t get a dick fish. Two, I make sure to feed my tank frequently. Just my opinion.

The peppermints I got were very small. About 1/4 of the size of my cleaner. They don’t mess with him. I asked my LFS if the peppermints were the type of peppermints that actually eat aiptasia and if they had a money back garuntee. They said yes to both.

I drove myself crazy with trying to use chemicals (aiptasia-x, Joe’s juice, F aiptasia). I feel those things are only affective if you only have a few of the buggers. That’s also if you nail the deliver before they have a chance to close up or launch more larvae.

Good luck! Hope this helps. I know how maddening this is. I feel your pain.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Thanks. I’m pretty sure aiptasia-x is just kalk paste in a bottle with some purple food coloring lol. But I haven’t been coating the base, so maybe that will help. I thought you were supposed to get them to ingest the stuff but I can’t seem to get the technique down.

Fair enough! I've never tried the aiptasia-x, the kalk is the only technique I have tried so I wasn't sure. I wish I could be more helpful! I'll be following along to hopefully learn some more tricks as well.

 

[Formulator]

Fair enough! I've never tried the aiptasia-x, the kalk is the only technique I have tried so I wasn't sure. I wish I could be more helpful! I'll be following along to hopefully learn some more tricks as well.

You were helpful! I didn’t think to coat the base, so I’m going to try that. Thanks!

 

[smitten with ocean life]

watch out with the kalk paste. dont get it near anything you want to save! i lost a couple of things that stuff dripped on

 

[TwistedPharaoh]

I'm dealing with the same issue, I have attempted with a copperband butterfly and failed but you could be more meticulous with your tank and meet the diet requirements. Myself, I like to keep things as natural and I have used the aiptasia x many and many times while coating the bases and you may kill those but the tiny spores release constantly that you wont ever be able to get all of them unless you're dealing with a smaller system. Aiptasia populate in overflows and in sumps and can survive regardless of their photosynthetic needs which means you could get every bit in the display but there could be a mothership aiptasia in your overflow that is spitting out babies and your return pump just returns them all to the display tank.

 

[DangerDave]

I've found when aiptasia eventually show up in a system, they will need constant removal. Aiptasia x and similar products work, but you are just killing that one. There will be many more that were to small to spot yet. Peppermint shrimp have been the best long term solution for when I've encountered them. These days i always add them before anything shows up, it's good cheap insurance. If you buy 5 or 10 packs from a collector, they are reasonable priced.

 

[Formulator]

I've found when aiptasia eventually show up in a system, they will need constant removal. Aiptasia x and similar products work, but you are just killing that one. There will be many more that were to small to spot yet. Peppermint shrimp have been the best long term solution for when I've encountered them. These days i always add them before anything shows up, it's good cheap insurance. If you buy 5 or 10 packs from a collector, they are reasonable priced.

Have you ever had issues with them eating zoas or any other corals or nems? I have some pricey zoa specimens I’d rather not turn into shrimp food… My last attempt at using husbandry against aiptasia was a filefish and it was a smashing success until the aiptasia were gone. Then he ate half my RBTA’s foot, eventually killing it and decimated a couple zoa colonies. So I’m a bit gun-shy.

 

[paragrouper]

After numerous attempts, I’ve managed to get them under control. I have a multifaceted approach.

1. Nobody seems to want to eat the larger ones, so you have to deal with those yourself. If they are on a rock you can pull out, do so and manually remove (I use a screwdriver) rinse off the rock and return to tank. If you can’t pull the rock, I prefer lemon juice dispensed with a syringe. I just stab them in the head and juice them up.

2. I have three peppermint shrimp. I got them small, but only see them at lights out. I’ve never witnessed them eating Aiptasia, but I also no longer have Aiptasia in the display area.

3. I have a Captive bread Molly Miller Blenny from Biota. Same as the shrimp, I’ve never seen it eat Aiptasia, but I no longer have an issue in the display (the AIO chambers are another matter).

Good hunting.

 

[Uncle99]

I’m at my wits end with these buggers. Things I’ve tried and things I haven’t tried with reasoning:

Aiptasia-X: Tried. Seems like they disappear for a couple days and come back with reinforcements.

Aiptasia eating file fish: Tried. Most successful attempt, but started eating my zoas and killed my RBTA. Returned to LFS.

Berghia nudibrach: Tried twice now. Might as well light my wallet on fire.

Peppermint Shrimp: Have not tried. I have 2 cleaner shrimp already. Concerned about husbandry.

Lemon juice: Have not tried. How would this work any better than aiptasia-x?

Other suggestions? Whoever invents a tank treatment for these satanic creatures is going to be a millionaire…

I tried this new F-Aptasia X and so far very happy.
It’s not the same as Aptasia-X and creates a hard shell over the pest which I can remove a week down the road.

 

[Formulator]

I just stab them in the head and juice them up.

I love this illustration

I have a Captive bread Molly Miller Blenny from Biota. Same as the shrimp, I’ve never seen it eat Aiptasia, but I no longer have an issue in the display (the AIO chambers are another matter).

I have been eyeing this fish! I actually have one sitting in my cart at Biota. Model citizen? Do you just have one? I heard they can be grouped which is somewhat rare for fish in my experience, at least in a 120g. I’d love to put 2-3 in my tank. What do you think?

 

[Formulator]

I tried this new F-Aptasia X and so far very happy.
It’s not the same as Aptasia-X and creates a hard shell over the pest which I can remove a week down the road.

Ohhh, that is neat. I bet this would be great for control of things like GSP and clove polyps too. I’m getting a bottle for sure.

 

[paragrouper]

I love this illustration


I have been eyeing this fish! I actually have one sitting in my cart at Biota. Model citizen? Do you just have one? I heard they can be grouped which is somewhat rare for fish in my experience, at least in a 120g. I’d love to put 2-3 in my tank. What do you think?

Just one. Mind you I’m only dealing with a 32 gallon. It came very small and managed to get into my AIO (didn’t see it for several weeks) so you may want to start them in an acclimation box. He mostly hangs out on top of the rock work with my clown goby.

 

[Formulator]

Just one. Mind you I’m only dealing with a 32 gallon. It came very small and managed to get into my AIO (didn’t see it for several weeks) so you may want to start them in an acclimation box. He mostly hangs out on top of the rock work with my clown goby.

Nice! What is that yellow encrusting coral on the right?! I love yellow and its so hard to find.

 

[paragrouper]

That’s a lepto.

 

[Formulator]

That’s a lepto.

Love it!

 

[dochoot]

Have been restocking a system and found my first 2. So bummed.

 

[Lavey29]

When the going gets tough you have to get mean. Like dirty down in the gutter mean. You need to take that aptasia x syringe and plunge it deep into the heart of the evil so you hear it scream in pain and if that doesn't work get an aptasia laser and a 6 pack...good times