Butterflies that eat Aptasia

[SaltyK]

Which butter fliy fish are known to eat aptasia? I have heard the copperband but are there any others?

 

[Zaita]

Some others are, but none are guaranteed. Your better off looking at a peppermint shrimp

 

[sps1-2-b]

Raccoon butterflies and Kleins butterflies 99.9% will eat aiptasia.

 

[sps1-2-b]

Oh, forgot to mention they both are not reef safe.

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

klines are supposed to be reefsafe... but I have no experience with them

 

[paraletho]

Two peppermints cleaned my 58 in a couple of days. I only had a couple of large anenomes but lots of small ones. I did the large ones with a syringe and white vinegar. I havent seen any in 3 weeks. I've got my fingers crossed. Good luck! I have heard that even Peps will nibble at softies. So far no problems.

 

[jmarko]

3rd peppermint shrimp. cleaned my tank of a mess in two weeks

 

[supervdl]

I have too many predators (brittlestars etc) and no lasting success with peppermint. Tried the berghia and did not work, probably for the same reason. now I have a Copperband in my quarantine tank and I am hopeful. He was all over my aptesia rock that I gave him as an appetizer.

 

[crvz]

I had great success with peps too, I'd try them over a fish any day.

 

[poppin_fresh]

It is a total crap shoot with butterflys and peppermints. I have had both (many times) and neither one is completely effective or guaranteed.

Butterflies can be an extremely difficult fish to keep for most people, even those with a lot of aiptasia. If you get one that eats it, it will most likely die from starvation once its gone as you struggle to find a food it will eat.

As far as Peps, you may end up with ornamental shrimp that dont touch the stuff just like I have had so many times.

 

[SaltyK]

thanks for all the info. I have had a bear of a time with aiptasia and the weekly injections is starting to get old.