Aiptasia problem

I've got a 100 gallon tank and a 45 gallon refugium tank. After the year passed I have a very big problem. Aiptasia invaded my tank and it's really a big headache, i can't get rid of this pest ! . I buyed a file fish aiptasia eater, and didn't even touch it. Then I went for a copperband butterfly and for now didn't touch it too. I buyed Aiptasia- X from RedSea and no control at all. I don't know what I'm going to do now. Please can you give me any advice because I'm only one year old on reef tanks? Thanks

Most of what I've read say that aptasia tend to bloom when there is excess nutrients. Consider cutting back on feeding or selectively feeding. Maybe upgrading your skimmed or filter socks. Also, the fish you bought to eat them are hit and miss, some will eat them some won't and if they are getting food elsewhere they most certainly won't. hth

They are actually great filter feeders. You can find large aquarium systems that use these as their filtration. I find that interesting. I'm culturing them now, so that I can breed the Berghia nudi when I have a few tanks filled with them.

I've even got a manual on propogation of the Aiptasia's lol.

If you turn out all the lights, these things will spread like crazy. If you feed them, they will spread like crazy. There's really no easy way to get rid of them without getting something that preys on them. They will overtake a tank or system in no time. I started with one a month ago and have around 20 nems now. That's without cutting and not much food. They are also near a light.

The Berghia nudi is about the best bet, but you're going to run out of food for them. They will go through a tank full of those nems in no time.

You may want to look for someone that can rent or loan you a couple. That way you can always get them back to a place that they can live out their short lives lol.

So I would suggest throwing about 6 or so peppermint shrimp in your tank. I know our sponsor Reefs2Go.com sells peppermint shrimp that are guaranteed to eat aiptasia.

If you are still having issues, see if you can find berghia nudibranches, as Glen suggested. They ONLY eat aiptasia, and will eradicate it all out of your tank. The only downside is that once all the aiptasia is gone, your nudi's will then starve to death and die in your tank, unless you can find someone who will buy them from you.

Hope this helps!!

Thanks to all friends that they replied me for my aiptasia problem. I will go to my local fish shop and ask him for peppermint shrimps. I'll keep on touch with you if there's any negative or positive results about my aiptasia problem with peppermint shrimps. Thanks again for your help, i really appreciate.

Good luck!!! Hope the shrimp do it for you

be careful. not all peppermints will eat this. There are a couple different species out there. Some will some won't. Places will know what they have. Make sure to ask first. Do you have many stores in Malta?

Originally Posted by rgrking

They are actually great filter feeders. You can find large aquarium systems that use these as their filtration. I find that interesting. .

I have seen this mentioned several places and it still makes zero sense to me. How can the aiptasia act as filtration? What goes into the anemone must come out of the anemone in some form. I just can't see them contributing anything to filtration in a closed system. Even macro only works if you are harvesting it from the tank periodically when it locks up nitrates as it grows. Otherwise it would die and release everything back into the tank.
Anyone have any actual studies on this or an explanation that would make sense to me?

I think the idea is that they capture and sequester nutrients, both dissolved and particulate. As long as they don't die, it'll work. If they are growing and reproducing, they are necessarily removing nutrients from the water. Harvesting them like macro will ultimately take those out of the system. Some people use tridacna clams for the same exact reason, but they are much easier to sell during harvesting than Aiptasia, lol.

here's a little on them as a filter.

FAQs on Aiptasia Anemones in General 2

I personally would put 10 in a 100g system. I've always gone by a rule of thumb 1 for every 10 gallons. They are hit and miss, and as mentioned above make sure you get the correct species.

Originally Posted by postal

I have seen this mentioned several places and it still makes zero sense to me. How can the aiptasia act as filtration? What goes into the anemone must come out of the anemone in some form. I just can't see them contributing anything to filtration in a closed system. Even macro only works if you are harvesting it from the tank periodically when it locks up nitrates as it grows. Otherwise it would die and release everything back into the tank.
Anyone have any actual studies on this or an explanation that would make sense to me?

Shawn Wilson stumbled upon this years ago, when lots of people were entertaining/using the concept of Duplex Sump Design which includes a Benthic zone. The Aiptasia and several other filter feeders that do not require light are great at keeping your water clean.

Here's the video: Reefvideos - The "Duplex" Sump/Refugium

Think of them more as a nutrient 'sink' than a nutrient 'export'. You certainly could swap out the aiptasia 'media' every so often and clean it, if you also wanted export.

I think I'd vote for Peppermint Shrimp, to begin with, as well. Peppermint Shrimp are kind of hit or miss. Sometimes they work, other times, they don't. BUT, if you get a group of them, some are bound to eat the Aiptasia, maybe even "teaching" the ones who won't. I've had fairly good luck, using Peppermint Shrimp. Another benefit is, they're much less expensive than other techniques.

Berghia Nudibranchs also do a great job, but will take time. They're an "Obligate feedeer" and MUST have Aiptasia to eat, or they'll die. Berghia are also more expensive, more difficult to find and will usually require paying for shipping.

Copperband Butterfly fish usually work very well, but it's important to be aware that they MAY also nip at certain corals/clams. It's also important to make sure they'll eat prepared foods.

a four spot butterfly will mow them down too. It's a sure bet on them, and they are hardier than the copperband butterfly.

Originally Posted by rgrking

a four spot butterfly will mow them down too. It's a sure bet on them, and they are hardier than the copperband butterfly.

If you're talking about Chaetodon quadrimaculatus, the problem is, their main diet, in nature is SPS polyps...lol.

very true, but some don't even touch them. They are all so hit and miss.

I used this a a couple I had and they are litteraly GONE in seconds. I wonder if you have a bad batch or something because I was blown away at how well it worked. Reading through the other options, most are expensive and may or may not work.

Hope you get the result you want.

Grumpy

how's it looking? Did you get those peppermint shrimp and try them?

To start, we're getting rid of Aiptasia everywhere with our 10 Peppermint Shrimp for $19.99 special. We've got a great comnnection with our suppliers and you won't see anyone close to our price on Peppermints. Get them while you can. Supplies are limited.

We are located only 5 miles from ORA's Aquaculture facility so we visit them every day. We carry ORA's complete lineup including the highly priced original ORA Picasso Clownfish on sale for the next few days.


We are also offering FREE Shipping on all our Reef Packages. And in the Saltwaterfish.com tradition, everything else you order along with the Packages will ship FREE too.

Thanks for being a Saltwaterfish.com customer. We genuinely appreciate your business.

Scott


Special offers valid through noon, Friday January 13th. Limited supplies. Sorry, specials are for new orders and no rainchecks are available. Coupon codes cannot be combined. Use the offer that is best for you. Limit 3 unless otherwise noted.

Super Special

10 Peppermint Shrimp
ONLY $19.99
elsewhere $89.99
Limit 1