need help getting rid of my aiptasia farm

[mrayburn]

does anyone have any advice on how to get rid of aiptasia anemones for good? It seems that every time I get rid of them twice as many pop up.

[art_of_war]

If you're trying to pull them out manually, that's a losing battle. You could try Joe's Juice. That usually works. However, using too much could wind up being toxic to your tank (especially if it's a reef). Some natural methods would be to get a few peppermint shrimps or even better yet; a copperband butterfly. Of course, to every upside there's a downside.

Peppermint shrimp may go into hiding and never reappear. I know this b/c I have one and the only time I've ever seen it was the first day I put him in. They are unbelievable when it comes to disappearing acts. Although, I didn't see much aiptasia since but they appear here and there. Copperband butterfly are an even better way to go; an almost sure fire way of ridding your tank of aiptasia. However, depending on the age of the butterflyfish that may not be the only thing it may pick on. Some copperbands have been known to pick at clam mantles and coral polyps.

[mrayburn]

Is there anything else that will eat these ? I've injected them with lemon juice , taken out certian rock and the peppermint shrimp didn't touch them I really don't want to put a copperbanded butterfly in my tank because they like to nip at corals .

[Samper]

I would suggest injecting them with limewater. I like to use a small needle and shoot it right inside the body wall until it shoots out their mouth. Kill 5 -10 every day...don't over do it. Mix the slurry until it's snow white. In addition to the other recommendations water quality being top notch keeps them from thriving and spreading. They will remain but will spread much slower. If you stay on top of your injections and keep water pristine you will eventually get the battle under control. I don't mind seeing a few in my reef. Something else to consider is the Berghia verrucicornis. I have never used them but have read some good things on the boards. I believe they are being raised in captivity and the cost to be reasonable. Do some research here on aiptasia. Good luck.

[Reefland]

I think you will be safe with the Copperband without worrying too much with it nipping at corals. Many, many people have them in reefs (as have I) with no problems at all.

[Nikki]

Terrible newbie question, but I believe I have a few aiptasia growing on my fairly new LR in a fairly new tank and I have to admit I think they are kind of cute, why don't we want them?

[art_of_war]

Terrible newbie question, but I believe I have a few aiptasia growing on my fairly new LR in a fairly new tank and I have to admit I think they are kind of cute, why don't we want them?

Nikki,

The reason is because they sting other corals. Cute? Hmm, I don't know. They're not colourful, they're aggressive and prolific. Not something you want in your tank. Majano anemones are beautiful but unfortunately fall under the same problem as aiptasia.

[Nikki]

Thank you, that is a very good reason. Currently I have no corals and only two of the little guys so I will get them out before corals, they are certainly not proliferating and they aren't colorful, but I love to see everything grow in the tank and as it is so new this is it besides coralline algae :-)

[art_of_war]

Thank you, that is a very good reason. Currently I have no corals and only two of the little guys so I will get them out before corals, they are certainly not proliferating and they aren't colorful, but I love to see everything grow in the tank and as it is so new this is it besides coralline algae :-)

You know, if I could turn the clock back several years. I think I would have done my tanks differently. I would have stocked all my corals first (after the cycling process). Decorated it colourfully with SPS, zoas, acans, blastos and micros only. Once I was done with my underwater garden, then I'd start picking out janitors (scavengers/cleanup crew). Finally, I'd pick out a few beautiful fish like a purple tang, a copperband and possible a six-line wrasse.

[Kaptain-LokI]

I had super awesome luck with peppermint shrimp to eat aptasia anemone. There are different kinds of peppermint shrimp though and only certain ones will really go after it. I used to know the difference and be able to tell which from which, but it's been a couple of years and I've forgotten. I do know that you have to make the aptasia look tasty be underfeeding or just not feeding for several days, because the aptasia is not the peppermint shrimp favourite food. I've heard there is a certain type of nudibranch that is extremely fond of aptasia, infact when aptasia runs out they die because unfortunately that is the only food they are fond of. I forget what they are called, I am sure someone else here knows. Joe's Juice does work, as does Kalk water/paste, for some reason I've actually had better luck with the Kalk water/paste. Inject those little f*ckers with a syringe and they are toast, but it is time consuming, and you chance breaking a little piece off and just spreading the problem.