Aiptasia control question

[Costa Randy]

I have been fighting aiptasia for months. I have used Joeââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s Juice and it helps knock the population back, but it has not been a cure for my tank. I am considering trying peppermint shrimp, as I have heard that others have had success using this invertebrate. However, I have a very nice Hawaiian blue puffer cruising the waters and I am afraid that he will eat the shrimp. Does anyone have any experience with this? If I cannot use a peppermint shrimp, what is the next best option?

 

[meco65]

The shrimp should do a good job but he my turn out to be food to. I had one in my main tank never did have any aiptasia. Had to put the shrimp in a small tank when I got my condy anempne he thought it was lunch.

 

[reefnetworth]

look above your post, bertoni has apstasia control methods posted. options that are available. i chose the pep's. they worked exellent, in two weeks they had babies and my fire goby was fed for a week. mother nature at its finest. after they had eaten 26 aps. i moved one to the 70g. they will climb into your hand, makes it alot easier. lol! REEF-ON!!!

 

[Costa Randy]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[shoddyk]

I have 8 pep's in my 125 reef and I don't think they are doing a good job at all. The only thing I see them eat is the fish food.

 

[cw150]

Peppermint life span: short
Aptasia hitchhikers: many
Cost of maintaining aptasia-free system: priceless

 

[Sk8r]

Peps are night-prowlers. In my 52 wedge I get to observe this a little better. They go about the rocks and in the morning, like the tooth fairy, they leave a bare spot where an aiptasia was. The catch is a) they won't eat them if the alkalinity is 'off' b) they'd rather eat the babies than the adults---probably they're less rank.

 

[reefnetworth]

soddyk, you need to reduce the food or stop for a day or two. if you feed the srimp, why would they work for their natural food. if you have that much extra food in the tank you are overfeeding. might check the ammonia, and nitrates to be safe. Sk8r is correct, that is the same as i observed. mine did a really good job, they got into the cracks wiyh their tiny pinchers and left no part of aps. when finished. some others ive talked to say there is a shrimp that is simular to pep's that want eat aps. check the ones you have to be sure. camel shrimp look sim. exept for the hump, they arent reef safe. research + patience = reef... REEF-ON!!!