Aiptasia dilemma

[CAPT_Dave]

I started getting it too. knew I didn't want it to get out of hand.

I got the Peppermint shrimp. I was starting to get worried when he wasn't doing his job, then next day I looked, Aptasia gone. have not seen any since.

I also had great results with peppermint shrimp, just as you said. Put 4 in a 120 gallon with moderate infestation and they did the job. Now they're part of the CUC. I have noticed some aptacia in the sump lately. I'm pretty hesitant to put the shrimp down there though. Any thoughts?

 

[morgoanie]

I would get the tip close to the tentacles, then release just a little of the juice.

 

[Mark9]

I found aiptasia-x to be useless.
Nuking the rock worked for ke

 

[zoobie88]

I have had great luck with peppermint shrimp. I had 6 in my 125 and they would keep it clean of aptasia. May take more since you have a lot of it. You can always take them out once it is gone.

 

[JamesFWB]

There are two different types of peppermint shrimp. maybe the ones you got were the wrong type. if you look at pictures of the two types, you can tell a difference in the way they look. take a picture to the LFS with you to make sure you are getting the right type.

 

[Maxxingout]

I found this on another site, not sure how accurate it is? If true I might have peppermint shrimp, just not the correct one.


(A) Lysmata wurdemanni
(B) Lysmata rathbunae
(C) Lysmata ankeri
(D) Lysmata boggessi
(E) Lysmata pederseni
(F) Lysmata bahia

 

[JMat76]

I found this on another site, not sure how accurate it is? If true I might have peppermint shrimp, just not the correct one.


(A) Lysmata wurdemanni
(B) Lysmata rathbunae
(C) Lysmata ankeri
(D) Lysmata boggessi
(E) Lysmata pederseni
(F) Lysmata bahia

Which ones eat aiptasia?

 

[CAPT_Dave]

I found this on another site, not sure how accurate it is? If true I might have peppermint shrimp, just not the correct one.


(A) Lysmata wurdemanni
(B) Lysmata rathbunae
(C) Lysmata ankeri
(D) Lysmata boggessi
(E) Lysmata pederseni
(F) Lysmata bahia

I have 4 of C and they ate it all.

 

[bif24701]

I found this on another site, not sure how accurate it is? If true I might have peppermint shrimp, just not the correct one.


(A) Lysmata wurdemanni
(B) Lysmata rathbunae
(C) Lysmata ankeri
(D) Lysmata boggessi
(E) Lysmata pederseni
(F) Lysmata bahia

So which ones will eat them?

 

[Maxxingout]

from what I've read it would be letter A, which is what I have in my dt NOT eating aiptasia, lol.

 

[kenneth wolfe]

I cant wait until the summer, I will take a net to Galveston beach and get me a bunch from the sargasum sea weed that washes onto shore. There Is all kinds of creatures in that stuff.

 

[bif24701]

I cant wait until the summer, I will take a net to Galveston beach and get me a bunch from the sargasum sea weed that washes onto shore. There Is all kinds of creatures in that stuff.

Really? I wonder if I can find some around here. I live in the Florida Panhandle.

I have found a great spot for Florida olive snails. They do great work in salt, brackish, and fresh water! I have them in all my tanks!

 

[wildman926]

I have 4 of C and they ate it all.

X2...that is what has worked for me.

 

[killinit123]

X2...that is what has worked for me.

How can you be sure that this particular species is the kind you have? are they that easily distinguished? because its hard to tell the difference in that pic let alone trying to decipher at the fish store. Especially when the fish store just wants to make a sale. so if I were to bring in this pic to my lfs I could say I want A, B, C, D, or E, Chances are that they would just say its the one I want.. Is there an online distributor where you could order a specific species of pep shrimp?

 

[wildman926]

How can you be sure that this particular species is the kind you have? are they that easily distinguished? because its hard to tell the difference in that pic let alone trying to decipher at the fish store. Especially when the fish store just wants to make a sale. so if I were to bring in this pic to my lfs I could say I want A, B, C, D, or E, Chances are that they would just say its the one I want.. Is there an online distributor where you could order a specific species of pep shrimp?

Because I can, it is obvious the differences just in the pic, much less in person. In person, it is easier to tell the difference. Experience is what I am basing my response on.

If you go to the lfs and they say that, you are at the wrong lfs.

I dont use them anymore. I use a matted file fish.

 

[Sonyardo]

I used to have some that I was trying to eliminate. I did the syringe w/lemon juice and then the syringe w/ kalk thing and it would keep them knocked down, but they would eventually start showing up again. This went on for several years. Then I tried boiling water and it worked like a charm. They are gone for good. The first treatment knocked down about 95% of them and then the second treatment wiped them out, I haven't seen one in years.

 

[killinit123]

Because I can, it is obvious the differences just in the pic, much less in person. In person, it is easier to tell the difference. Experience is what I am basing my response on.

If you go to the lfs and they say that, you are at the wrong lfs.

I dont use them anymore. I use a matted file fish.

I agree that it would be the wrong LFS but thats the reality of it when it really comes down to it.. theres not too many other options around where I am. I also had a matted file fish and also a CBB they both ate them but also started to eat my corals. I thought all the aptasia were gone so I gave the two fish to a buddy. About a week after I took those fish out the aptasia started to come back. Like others I have tried aptasia X, Kalk paste, Berghia's, and none of those worked. I guess I'll try boiling water now. I was just asking about the pep shrimp because I have also tried them before put 8 in my tank and haven't ever seen them again.

 

[Holyreefer]

So I've got a BOAT load of aiptasia on my rocks now. Started out with just one (typical) and I tried hitting it with aiptasia-x. I really feel that even though some say they've had success with it IMO it causes more harm then good.



My dilemmas and thoughts on how I should go about getting rid of aiptasia:

A) try a CCB. Downside is they're difficult to acclimate, may NOT eat all or any of the aiptasia. I also have a yellow tang in the tank. Remove the tang for the ccb?

B) File Fish. Hit or miss also and I have duncan, torch, hammer, zoas, and sps in the tank. Try the ff and cross my fingers?

C) Berghia Nudibranch. Downside is I have 4 wrasses (melanurus, male and female blue star, and a pearl wrasse). All these wrasses sleep in the sand. I also have 1 peppermint and 1 fire shrimp. Remove all 6 of theses known predators for 6 plus months until the Nudis do the job?



Nothing is easy with this decision. Nuking the rocks is out. I've got encrusting sps's and basically would mean starting over. On top of that I have some aiptasia growing in between my zoas and under the glue mounted sps. I'd probably miss something anyways.



Any thoughts?

Ive used Berghia Nudibranch with great results and I have multiple wrasses. The Berghia Nudibranch Come out at night to eat while most wrasses are buried away resting until morning. Try it they are wonderful

 

[Kurt03]

I vote LASER! http://www.melevsreef.com/taxonomy/term/188

 

[kmbyrnes]

I've tried biological - shrimp and berghia - as well as Aiptasia-X, lemon juice and boiling water. I did a nice thick kalk paste last week. It certainly did a great first round knock-out. We shall see what the long term results are.