Aptasia.....

[boggins]

My aptasia is getting out of control... I am considering a few diff angles for my FOWLR tank.... I know that the Copperband is a good choice... Peppermint shrimp will also help... I have also read that the Raccoon Butterfly will eat aptasia..... Part of me is considering going with all 3 choices.....

My only concern on this is there are 2 small green bubble tip anem's in my tank, a cleaner shrimp, and also a fire shrimp.... also many hermits....

I have read that I would most likely be fine going with the Pepp's and the CopperB - they most likely would not create problems with my nem's and shrimp.....

I really like the looks of the Raccoon, and would really like to add one, but I would also be PO'd if it went after my inverts.......

I am just hoping to get thoughts/input on this.... Thanks.

 

[gangstafish]

Copperbanded butterfly number one choice.I had the same problem.Got a copperband and it solved the problem.

 

[stykthyn]

that b'fly will decimate your bta's

 

[leebca]

I personally believe that bringing in a butterflyfish just to take care of aiptasia is not responsible fishkeeping. Many butterflyfishes die after the aiptaisia is gone. Because the aiptasia is there, they never learn to eat fish foods.

Invading ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“glass anemoneââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ known as: Aiptasia
Can be controlled by the Peppermint Shrimp, a.k.a. Veined Shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni. Although this shrimp cannot always be counted upon to eat Aiptasia sp. they are more reliable than a Copperband Butterflyfish at eating them AND, they wonââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t die when the Aiptasia run out! These shrimp will go on to scavenge and perform minor fish cleaning functions. ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“Reef safe.ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ Why treat the Copperband as a disposable fish? But at least attempt the other options first, before resorting to using these life forms.

Good luck! :rollface:

 

[jda]

If you have too many aips, then you might need to help your peppermints out by zapping the aips that you see with joes juice or kalk. The seem to be able to get to the smaller ones better than the big ones. I would get a bunch of them - like 20.

I think that the racoon would eat your BTAs too.

The last 2 copperbands that I got would not eat aips, but did eat prepared foods, so go figure...