Matted Filefish or Copperband Butterfly?

[ponokareefer]

I have been having aiptasia issues for quite some time and tried numerous different things. Some of these things include, multiple times using kalk, lemon juice, aiptasia-x, and 3 times I've tried peppermint shrimp. My next experiment to get rid of aiptasia is to try a filefish or copperband. Which is a better choice? This is in a reef tank, so I'm aware that the filefish may eat some of my coral. The copperband, on the other hand, should be better with my corals, but doesn't have a very good survival rate. I am only interested in getting rid of my aiptasia here, so once it is gone, the fish could be sold as well if it is not working out.

I'm aware berghi's may be a different option, but price and availability are their downfall compared to the fish, so I wish to try the fish first.

 

[capt85]

I have owned both an both of them ate coral and aiptasia.

Ironically my CBB was the worst.

 

[todd141]

Filefish for sure. I have one and love it. Also, it has much better survival rate in our tanks as you said.

 

[mfinn]

I have a matted file fish that has done a excellent job eating ALL the majanos and aptasias from my 2 tanks.
When I put it in my 240, I didn't notice much change ( I had hundreds) for a couple months.
But one day I realized I didn't have any aptasias and almost zero majanos. A few weeks later, all of them were gone.

 

[bglegs]

I have a matted filefish for 9 months and hasn't touched any aptasia. Could be hit or miss.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

what species are you guys referring to as a "matted filefish"?

 

[mfinn]

what species are you guys referring to as a "matted filefish"?

I did not ask what species it was when I bought it from my LFS.
Since you asked the question I did a google search for "Matted Filefish"
and I believe mine is a "Acreichthys tomentosus".
But my id is only from looking at the pictures I found in my google seach and looking at the fish in my tank.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

thanks for clarification

 

[ponokareefer]

I have a yellow tang, so should I be avoiding a copperband?

 

[k2parkstar]

peppermint shrimp worked wonders on my aiptasia. I personally love the look of CBB's, but ive heard better things about the matted filefish especially on chance of survival.

 

[ponokareefer]

Thank you for everyone's input. I was going to go with a copperband, but the place I went to only had a healthy looking filefish available, so I grabbed it. It was in a tank with all types of corals and the staff told me that it wasn't picking on any of them, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I am thinking about getting a matted filefish (Acreichthys tomentosus).
I would like to read more experiences with these, and sps corals?

 

[phxreefer]

I have a matted filefish and he absolutely destroys aptasia. Mine does however like to munch on acans. In one night de devoured about ten heads. This only happened after there were no aptasia to be eaten and he never touches any SPS. I think they are great for controling aptasia but i have found that after you remove the file fish the aptasia start to return. This tells me that they can't eliminate them but just keep aptasia mowed down.

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I have a matted filefish and he absolutely destroys aptasia. Mine does however like to munch on acans. In one night de devoured about ten heads. This only happened after there were no aptasia to be eaten and he never touches any SPS. I think they are great for controling aptasia but i have found that after you remove the file fish the aptasia start to return. This tells me that they can't eliminate them but just keep aptasia mowed down.

Good he leaves SPS alone, but what about clams?