Help with AIPTASIA

[telamont]

I have tried a lot of things. A tank of mine has an infestation of aiptasia. They are so large the polyp is definitely larger than a quarter. I have tried peppermints and copper bands. Neither have worked. I can keep trying....but it is not a fun fight. I was looking into laser pointers or the Majano wand (taser) from MarineDepot. I do not want to try berghia as I have not been successful enough in the past. Anyone had great success with either of these products or has any other ideas for me? The system has coral, a couple tangs, fox face, and smaller damsel. I was hoping for some feedback on one of these new methods I have not tried yet. Otherwise I may order another huge pack of aiptasia eating peppermint, or get a rock with some aiptasia on it and find a copper band or filefish that'll eat them form a LFS.

Thanks!

 

[dday80]

Have you tried Aiptasia X? I've used it regularly with success. Just last week I got rid of one of my last polyps.

 

[telamont]

I haven't tried but I have used the syringe and thick kalk mixture. It actually worked well but it does not keep them from coming back. In the past I have had the best luck with peppermint. I think I will just have to spend more money and try a gang of peppermints again or a copper band..After posting I realize that the best option is another critter obviously because i want the aiptasia eradicated. Thanks for the reply. It had me researching.

 

[woodnaquanut]

I tried a Majano wand. Seemed more like a fertilizer than killer!

Aiptasia-X worked well for me but I only had a few aiptasia. I know a couple of our members have had good success with Berghia going after HUGE amounts of aiptasia.

The peppermints I have didn't go after the large aiptasia but after I knocked them back or killed them with Aiptasia-X, the peps have controlled little ones.

 

[ffmedic]

I had great success injecting with hydrogen peroxide melts them away go search it on YouTube works great

 

[Reef Bass]

Hey Ryan. I typed up a lengthy response but the bus wifi lost it. Grrrr.

In my experience, Berghia are the most thorough if you get a breeding population going.

Copperbands are beautiful but often hit or miss with aiptasia and typically starve to death long term. They can be difficult to get to accept other foods. A tragedy when that happens.

Peppermints can also be hit or miss and are not as thorough as berghia. I think they think they have job security if they leave a couple around. I also detest the tendency of any shrimp to plunder the gut sacks of freshly fed LPS.

On a separate note, the orange fungia is doing great. Wonderful bright orange color and has grown about 1/8th inch all around.

 

[Dragonvale]

Okay. I've been where your at and it sucks. I got lucky and got a copper band that ate all of my aiptasia's. Now I'm stuck buying black worms every two weeks to keep him alive but he's worth it. I had aiptasia's in my frag tank and I got just brought in peppermints. The worker said you generally want them when they first come in so they don't get used to the store feeding them. Plus since there were no fish in the frag tank There was no food for them to eat so they took care of the aiptasia's. Good luck.

 

[swk]

I agree with the peps. Buy a bunch as not all will eat aiptasia.

 

[frost0fractal]

Careful with peppermints if you go that route and have mushrooms, I had a peppermint that loved to eat my shrooms.

 

[swk]

Careful with peppermints if you go that route and have mushrooms, I had a peppermint that loved to eat my shrooms.

Lps too. They're known to reach inside Lps for any food they may have snagged.

 

[thysrof]

Berghia work,although they even leave a few and they come back. Once the berghia take care of most or all you can hit them with aptasia X. It seems to work really well on the younger ones. The bigger aptasia may need to be hit a couple times

 

[Marine Fish]

I haven't tried but I have used the syringe and thick kalk mixture. It actually worked well but it does not keep them from coming back. In the past I have had the best luck with peppermint. I think I will just have to spend more money and try a gang of peppermints again or a copper band..After posting I realize that the best option is another critter obviously because i want the aiptasia eradicated. Thanks for the reply. It had me researching.

Hi, I use Calcium in a syringe and killed all my aiptasia. Another way I did the first time is torch it. Gone. The shrimp way no luck. Never even touch it.

 

[dcmatranga]

I've recently had a small outbreak...out of nowhere - very strange. I'm trying to epoxy the big ones I can see, but the more I try - the more I see. I'm thinking about getting a few berg's but might have to pull a wrasse or 2 out.