There's buzz going around that this fish will eat aiptasia. Some straight info here.
First, the fish you might want is a 'matted file fish'. This guy stays under 5" long. Other filefish may grow huge, REally huge.
Second, some WILL eat aiptasia, some won't.
Third, a positive: they are the easiest fish in the world to catch: they move slowly and hang head down. So if you think you might want to try one and move it back to the lfs if it doesn't work out, you can catch him even in a reef.
Fourth, aiptasia isn't all they eat: apparently xenia and zoas are on their menu, too. Be aware of that. But they will need other food once they have eliminated your problem: their diet: "shaved shrimp, squid, scallop, mysis shrimp, freeze-dried krill soaked in a vitamin supplement, and frozen marine algae." Formula 2 frozen cubes might work: that's algae and squid. But he may not be trustable with shrimp. They are also VERY slow, deliberate feeders, and an aggressive fish that's a food-hog may starve him out, so watch that.
Fifth: I know that they can get along with big damsels---in fact, they may sort of pal around. They're completely non-aggressive, and should be good tankmates to weaker fish.
Sixth: if you are no-go for filefish because of their habits, you might consider pep shrimp. If you want shrimp that will eat aiptasia, get about 5 juveniles, and one may become a real successful aiptasia hunter. They are hit and miss, but one good one is a jewel. NOT in a tank where something likes shrimp, however.
Seventh: there are butterfly fish that will go after aiptasia: (the copperband and the raccoon) unfortunately these are delicate feeders and not reefsafe. In the first place, aiptasia are no big deal if you have just fish, so don't sweat them at all. THink of them as a hardy part of the CUC. If you do have a reef, the butterflies are taking a real chance; plus they are quite, quite fragile, and require expert care, with low nitrate, all the condition that pertains to a reef---where they love to make their living, nibbling corals as well as pests. I do not at all recommend these for a novice tank.
First, the fish you might want is a 'matted file fish'. This guy stays under 5" long. Other filefish may grow huge, REally huge.
Second, some WILL eat aiptasia, some won't.
Third, a positive: they are the easiest fish in the world to catch: they move slowly and hang head down. So if you think you might want to try one and move it back to the lfs if it doesn't work out, you can catch him even in a reef.
Fourth, aiptasia isn't all they eat: apparently xenia and zoas are on their menu, too. Be aware of that. But they will need other food once they have eliminated your problem: their diet: "shaved shrimp, squid, scallop, mysis shrimp, freeze-dried krill soaked in a vitamin supplement, and frozen marine algae." Formula 2 frozen cubes might work: that's algae and squid. But he may not be trustable with shrimp. They are also VERY slow, deliberate feeders, and an aggressive fish that's a food-hog may starve him out, so watch that.
Fifth: I know that they can get along with big damsels---in fact, they may sort of pal around. They're completely non-aggressive, and should be good tankmates to weaker fish.
Sixth: if you are no-go for filefish because of their habits, you might consider pep shrimp. If you want shrimp that will eat aiptasia, get about 5 juveniles, and one may become a real successful aiptasia hunter. They are hit and miss, but one good one is a jewel. NOT in a tank where something likes shrimp, however.
Seventh: there are butterfly fish that will go after aiptasia: (the copperband and the raccoon) unfortunately these are delicate feeders and not reefsafe. In the first place, aiptasia are no big deal if you have just fish, so don't sweat them at all. THink of them as a hardy part of the CUC. If you do have a reef, the butterflies are taking a real chance; plus they are quite, quite fragile, and require expert care, with low nitrate, all the condition that pertains to a reef---where they love to make their living, nibbling corals as well as pests. I do not at all recommend these for a novice tank.
