I have been getting a ton of growth in my tank with aiptasia. Does anyone know possible reasons why? How can I control this and is there anything I can do to rid my tank of this problem. I have bought some "Aiptasia Control" and that seems to work, but it is time consuming and I have to turn off pumps and so on. If this is the only way, then cool, but if there is an easier way I would love to know. Thanks for any help. JD
Please help with aiptasia (glass anemones)
- Thread starter jszebra
- Start date
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Aiptasia are photosynthetic, and are right at home in well fed high nutrient environments. They reproduave by pedal laceration which means a piece of the foot rips off and becomes another one.
The best methods I've found are the ones which utilize some srt of biological control. If you have any number of them then human control just isnt enough.
Several critters eat them.
Copperband butterfly fish - These can be very difficult to keep in captivity, and I wouldnt recommend one until you become very familiar with them and are sure you can provide them with an adequate home.
Peppermint shrimp - There are several species that can be found at LFS, and not all eat aiptasia. You'll need to become familiar with how to identify the species, they are similar in appearance but distinguishable. These guys can also be a bit destructive mostly at feeding time if they dont recieve their fair share. They are fairly hardy and can survive without aiptasia by scavenging.
Berghia Nudibranch - This nudi feeds exclusively on aiptasia, and does a good job of it. Problem is they dont feed on anything else. They also will reproduce in your tank. Their population will rise as they eat the Aiptasia but as food supplies dwindle they will begin to die off. If more food doesnt become available they will die off completely usually leaving some aiptasia behind. Sources of these are few and they are expensive.
The best methods I've found are the ones which utilize some srt of biological control. If you have any number of them then human control just isnt enough.
Several critters eat them.
Copperband butterfly fish - These can be very difficult to keep in captivity, and I wouldnt recommend one until you become very familiar with them and are sure you can provide them with an adequate home.
Peppermint shrimp - There are several species that can be found at LFS, and not all eat aiptasia. You'll need to become familiar with how to identify the species, they are similar in appearance but distinguishable. These guys can also be a bit destructive mostly at feeding time if they dont recieve their fair share. They are fairly hardy and can survive without aiptasia by scavenging.
Berghia Nudibranch - This nudi feeds exclusively on aiptasia, and does a good job of it. Problem is they dont feed on anything else. They also will reproduce in your tank. Their population will rise as they eat the Aiptasia but as food supplies dwindle they will begin to die off. If more food doesnt become available they will die off completely usually leaving some aiptasia behind. Sources of these are few and they are expensive.
whosurcaddie
New member
Two words, Joe's Juice. It is a chemical that is reef safe and the aiptasia eat it like its food. You just put a little on the aiptasia's oral disc and it sucks it in and dies leaving no adverse affects on other tankmates works like a charm. And the reason you are getting them in your tank they either came in on your live rock or hitchhiked in on something you put in your tank possibly a frag plug something like that. They can be very tiny. If you don't do something quick they can overgrow your entire aquarium believe me I've seen it.
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