Aiptasia and Majano Pests

[patrickpernell]

I have a 4 year old 30 gallon BioCube. I have been dealing with Aiptasia and what I assume to be Majano anemones for some time and they are starting to get out of control. They are starting to even cover the sand bed. I have PLENTY of flow, one EcoTech Wavemaker and 2 270gph powerheads.

I am also starting to get bad algae over the sandbed, which the spots are not "dead zones". The only thing high is Nitrates, see below.

pH: 8.3
Temp: 78.5 F
Salinity: 1.026
Alk: always between 9-10 dKh
Nitrite, Ammonia: Both 0ppm
Nitrate: 1-2ppm
Phosphate- less than 1ppm
Calcium: 450ppm
Magnesium: 1250

See Pics......
Any suggestion on the pest anemones or the algae in the sand? I have also tried Aiptaisa X, but the anemones there are too many anemones.

 

[Anemone]

I've had success with aiptasia-eating nudibranchs (Berghia), but it can be difficult to get a colony started.

I have not had much success with injecting various things into, or onto, the aips - such as Joe's Juice/Aiptasia X/Kalk paste/etc. Generally, the aiptasia appear to go away, only to reappear smaller and more numerous.

Pictured below is my most recent success. Bought it after the last berghia colony failed to take them all out in a 40 gallon-ish tank. Matted filefish/bristletail filefish/aiptasia-eating filefish. As advertised, it ate every aiptasia in the tank. It also ate all the small fanworms and hydroids. Cool fish!

Kevin

 

[Crooked Reef]

ANy issues with the filefish nipping corals after the aiptasia were gone?

 

[Anemone]

ANy issues with the filefish nipping corals after the aiptasia were gone?

I never saw any nipping, but I did have some issues with some small frags of Zoas fading away, but there were other issues (mini-maxi anemones roaming within range, primarily, but also some overshadowing by a larger LPS), so I can't say for sure if the filefish was involved. No issues with LPS or SPS in that tank.

Kevin

 

[mcgyvr]

Peppermint shrimp..

A matted filefish works.. BUT... once they are gone it WILL die from starvation or become a nuisance.. So if you get one make sure you can return it to the store as needed..
Thats why I would just recommend the peppermint shrimp over the filefish..

 

[Jekerry]

Peppermint shrimp started eating my corals after the aiptasia. Keep an eye on them.

 

[mcgyvr]

Peppermint shrimp started eating my corals after the aiptasia. Keep an eye on them.

yeah I think thats the risk you take with any creature that can eat aiptasia/majanos.. Not much difference between them and certain corals.. Well.. there wasn't much when I went through my coral eating phase anyways..

Sometimes though people think that critters are eating their corals but are just picking stuff off them.. But I have heard stories of them going after corals just like filefish can/do..

 

[Anemone]

A matted filefish works.. BUT... once they are gone it WILL die from starvation or become a nuisance..

Interesting, mine eats everything I feed the tank, including flake and pellets. And I've seen similar from other posters.

Kevin

 

[Jekerry]

yeah I think thats the risk you take with any creature that can eat aiptasia/majanos.. Not much difference between them and certain corals.. Well.. there wasn't much when I went through my coral eating phase anyways..

Sometimes though people think that critters are eating their corals but are just picking stuff off them.. But I have heard stories of them going after corals just like filefish can/do..

Yeah, we thought that at first until we saw polyps flying in the air and being stuffed in mouths! Oh no you don't do that! :headwallblue:

 

[hkgar]

I have had my File Fish for 3 or 4 years. Bought to rid tank of Majano and he accomplished it. I have a full SPS tank and never has bothered a coral. He likes to nibble on Nori with the tangs and eats the food given the carnivores also. Never a problem

 

[Jamiesheffield]

If you still have any, I'd love to get some, and would happily pay postage.

Jamie


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[hkgar]

If you still have any, I'd love to get some, and would happily pay postage.

Jamie


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Who you asking? Get some of what?

 

[Jamiesheffield]

I'd like to get some majano anemones.

Jamie


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[khan_man]

I'm battling similar issue in my nano but hoping to find a nudi to take care of the issue as others have not worked and I'm afraid of pep shrimps as I read they eat torch corals.

 

[LeJeune981]

I've got berghia and a file fish in my 90 reef trying to beat the massive aptasia outbreak... my file fish.. doesn't want any part of them... the berghia are slowly doing some damage.. they have the fuge about 80 percent clear.. just not doing well in the dt.. I've been catching them and moving em from the fuge to the Dt when ever I see one..

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[Sugar Magnolia]

I'd like to get some majano anemones.

Jamie


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Buying and selling in the main forums is not allowed.

 

[Jamiesheffield]

Sorry


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