Aiptasia Problem

[Bruce]

Hey guys. Well i just visited home today and took a look at my tank. IMO it looks pretty good besides all the softies taking over hah...well i noticed that i had a good ammount of Aiptasia growing in the tank. I am trying to think what the best thing to do it. I will probably get some peppermine shrimp to try for the small ones. Is a 6 line wrasse a good idea? Not really sure...I read that for the shrimp if i cut the Aiptasia, although that causes them to grow it makes them easier for the shrimp. If all fails i will use a KALK Nuke on them...hah

[amcarrig]

I've never heard of a 6-line wrasse eating aiptasia? Your best bet would be a combination of peppermint shrimp and injection IMO.

[bouraganes]

A 6 line wrasse is noted for eating pyramid snails not aptasia!

[Bruce]

Hmm well i stand corrected...jeez im already forgetting things with my old age...college is taking its toll. Man i just did a nice cleaning of my tank and its looking really good compared to how it has...minus the aiptasia...lol

[tooconceited]

If the aiptasia gets real bad... just add it to your signature and call it good nah I'd just get some peppermint shrimp. I have nightmares about aiptasia even though I never had any (knock on wood)

[Phil125]

Originally Posted by tooconceited

If the aiptasia gets real bad... just add it to your signature and call it good nah I'd just get some peppermint shrimp. I have nightmares about aiptasia even though I never had any (knock on wood)

I agree peppermint shrimp are the best aipstasia eaters i've seen. toss in a few and they will get to work. Don't look for overnight success with them it will take them time if you have alot. I have about 10 in my tank a fewmonths ago a few were big. I tossed in 3 peppermints and within a week then had munched them all down. I've noticed wrasses are more interested in copepods and flakes than aiptasia.

[Willieo101587]

I've had a pretty good experience with Joe's Juice, but I also got two peppermint shrimp as well...I'm currently not sure whether I should keep spraying the survivors or try to let the shrimp take care of 'em.
So, yeah, I'd recommend Joe's Juice, but I didn't get a chance to try kalk: none of the LFS's around me carry it. They all essentially say it's worthless. I stopped going to the one because they never filled my orders. But I digress.

[Dyngoe]

I second almost everything previously said. Aiptasia is a weed and as much will come back for a while, so having pepermint shrimps in the tank will be a good thing. After all the aiptasia is gone they will scavenge. I have two peps in my tank that are getting quite large. However, large pieces of aiptasia are hard for them to consume. I think once the aiptasia get to a certain size their "flesh" becomes tougher. For these I would suggest Joe's Juice. Kalkwasser is very effective at removing aiptasia, but you need to be more careful with it than with Joe's Juice. Finally, if you have a syringe you can simply try to suck larger pieces out. Yes, they do shy away which makes it hard and it will cause small pieces to float and seed around the tank. But, if you have peps in the tank they will eat these little pieces like snacks. In all, aiptasia is a hassle at first to overcome but it can be tackled and easily prevented once it is gone.

[Bruce]

Well I think I'm gona get some peppermints. I did nuke em with some kalk though. Hope nothing bad happens...except to them. They looked so happy that they were getting a meal until they realized my devious plans! * laughs like an mad scientist *

[sssnake]

I can say with certainty that the four peppermints I placed in my 20g wiped out all the aiptasia present. Matter of fact the little guys did away with two or three aiptasias the size of dimes.

I now swear by them (peppermints)!