aiptasia on corals - how can i remove them?

[t5Nitro]

My buddy wants a few of my large corals, but they've got aiptasia physically growing on them. Is there a way I can remove them and prevent any chance they go to his tank?

 

[bishopthomas]

I wouldn't take a chance on introducing them to an existing tank. I had a bad aiptasia outbreak a few months ago. After trying to physically remove them then using Joe's Juice, I ended up buying a few Berghia nudi's and they mowed through them within a couple of weeks. It was actually pretty amazing how well they worked. One day the aiptasia was there, and all of a sudden it was all gone. I never once saw the Berghias, but they most definitely did the job. If you're looking for a source to purchase PM me, the company I worked with was excellent.

I would suggest moving the corals (and any other rocks/animals) with aiptasia to a q-tank and treat them there. As an added bonus, once the Berghias clear the aiptasia you should be able to round them up and sell/trade/give them to another aquarist.

 

[rocky25]

coral banded or peppermint shrimp not sure witch one but one of them eat aiptasia that would be the safest route. just my 2 cents.

 

[bishopthomas]

My coral banded wanted nothing to do with them.

 

[cnguyenl]

I believe the peppermint would eat them

 

[tkeracer619]

Insulin syringe filled with liquid calcium injected into the stalk will kill them. Often there are already tiny ones starting to grow so Joes juice or aptasia x helps kill the small ones.

 

[rocride]

I've tried everything and a filefish (matted-brown with a white strip and a spike on his back) did the job,he's got a face that only a mother could love but he's very cool to me.I originally had intentions of just using him and passing him on but he's here to stay now.He cleaned up a tank full off aptasia the size of golf balls and now eats frozen,very shy and unique fish.

 

[Joe Lydon]

I can vouch for peppermint shrimp, but I must say that not all will eat the aiptasia. I bought 4 and put 2 in 2 different tanks. One tank was squeeky clean of aiptasia, the other tank went untouched. They do finish the job surprisingly fast. I will also add that I have no fish and don't feed the tank. I've heard the most successful trick to using aiptasia predators (besides the nudis), is to starve them into aiptasia predation.