Aptaisia problem

[Dawn II]

I don't think I'm overfeeding- I had an auto feeder, stopped it a few weeks ago, and cut way back. I guess I'm impatient.... I do see the filefish nibbling at the rock- but he's still very shy, so hard to see what he's eating.

 

[Dmorty217]

I don't think I'm overfeeding- I had an auto feeder, stopped it a few weeks ago, and cut way back. I guess I'm impatient.... I do see the filefish nibbling at the rock- but he's still very shy, so hard to see what he's eating.

When i had a aiptasia problem it was from feeding often, now that i have only have a melanarus the problem has fixed itself. I know the feeling of being impatient but its all a waiting game in this hobby. Some have bought high powered laser pointers to kill anems but the results vary and they can get pretty pricy

 

[snorvich]

Why didn't you answer Steve's question, he's only one of the most knowledgable people on here saltwater related...:reading:

I asked the question because I have had differing experiences. The brown mottled one was definitely coral safe but had no interest in aiptasia. The green colored one did eat aiptasia. It may be coincidence, or it may not be. Some copperband butterfly fish eat aiptasia while some do not but the Australian endemic one seems to be more reliable in this regard. Hard to predict the outcome. Just looking for more data in trying to help the OP. Of course a sure fire (not coral safe) way of eliminating them is a racoon butterfly (Red Sea or Indonesian variety).

 

[snorvich]

An interesting thread on the subject can be found here.

 

[Scubaken]

I tried a raccoon, a copper band and 6 peppermint shrimps, my big old fat Emporor ate, or bullied them to death, I have been using lemon juice, it's been great, today I moved the rocks about and lemon juiced anything I thought might have been one.
I'm hoping I'm clean tonight, my fish have put up with a a lot of nonsense from me today.

 

[Breadman03]

Breadman, how many aptaisias did you have?=

At least a few dozen. It's hard to tell for sure because I'm reefing out of a stock tank for now because the carpet company messed up our install.

 

[JoelA7]

I can only tell you my experience which was successful. Stage one was an order of Bergia Nudibranchs. Most aiptasia were gone. After 6 weeks I added 2 peppermint shrimp. All but the couple in the sump are gone.

 

[swhobbie1]

Acreichthys tomentosus is the matted filefish and comes in tones of tans and greens- color has nothing to do with eating abilities. My lfs sold me the one they had been using to clean up their tanks.

I had two of these .. they change colors ... like camouflage to their environment... they'll be light tan with dark spots then darker green etc. Mine ate LPS so beware...

Does anyone know if that majano wand works on aipstasia ? I also have one in my tank that is at the very back and can't take the rock out to get it. Have had 2 peppermints in there for months now and they don't touch it.

 

[snorvich]

Does anyone know if that majano wand works on aipstasia ?

Temporarily but not permanently.