fish that eat aiptasia (search not working)

yogisfriend · #1 03/27/2006, 11:22 PM

I added rock to my tank on Saturday, and today there are tons of aiptaisia all over the place. I have room for one more fish in my 120g, and though I plan on trying to kill the weed with kalk paste injections, I would like to find something to help control future outbreaks. I know there are fish that eat it but can't find the thread. Any ideas?

Sk8r · #2 03/27/2006, 11:27 PM

First state what fish you have and what kind of tank, whether FOWLR or corals or mixed, or what.
I think copperbandeds eat aiptasia, but don't believe me--I ask for the list because the people who know fish better will need to know.

Zoalander · #3 03/27/2006, 11:46 PM

buy 12 peppermint shrimps and watch them disappear.

Fishyfreak031592 · #4 03/27/2006, 11:53 PM

i bought 4 pepps and the aip. was gone in about a week

zemuron114 · #5 03/28/2006, 12:14 AM

copperband butterfly and racoon butterflies are good ones.

yogisfriend · #6 03/28/2006, 12:17 AM

Excellent! I just injected some with vinegar and that worked wonders. However, I have ph of 8.3 so I don't want to use too much as vinegar will lower it. There is plenty for a group of peppermints to munch on. That way I can save the room for another fish to go with my two tomato clowns and yellow tang.

Thanks for the replies.

twon8 · #7 03/28/2006, 12:18 AM

to answer your question it is copperbanded butterflys that eat aiptasia, but they are sometimes difficult to get to eat and i have used peppermint shrimp with success. imo that is the route you should take. if you have to ask the name you don't know enough about this difficult to keep fish to get one for a current aiptasia problem. read up on the fish and learn about what to look for in a healty specimen, then wait until you see one, then have the fish store let you watch him eat, then hold him for at least a week. be prepeared for special feedings

yogisfriend · #8 03/28/2006, 01:04 AM

Yes, I just did a search on the fish mentioned and I don't think any are right for my tank. I have several corals and two anemones. I'm not looking for anything that difficult to take care of. Thanks for the warning.
I also researched peppermint shrimp and the literature indicated that finding true peppermints is difficult.

jpfelix · #9 03/28/2006, 01:17 AM

reeftopia usually gets real pep's to you.

Vincerama2 · #10 03/28/2006, 03:29 AM

peppermint shrimps go for something like $10 around here. 12 of them...? Yikes!

V

Chihuahua6 · #11 03/28/2006, 07:44 AM

Etropicals.com has them for $3.50 each but shipping is $30.00 unless you need other reef cleaners. If you spend $60 on certain cleaners sipping is free.

SEAFLOWERS · #12 03/28/2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by yogisfriend
I added rock to my tank on Saturday, and today there are tons of aiptaisia all over the place. I have room for one more fish in my 120g, and though I plan on trying to kill the weed with kalk paste injections, I would like to find something to help control future outbreaks. I know there are fish that eat it but can't find the thread. Any ideas?

Well for starters usually aiptasia grow and flourish due to poor water quality and the juice from prepared foods is something to be aware of when feeding the tank. I would kill the ones in the tank with the kalk paste and watch how I feed the tank from now on. I don't think buying fish to act as aiptasia police is wise, some of the very things we put in our tanks to control aiptasia sometimes won't feed on other things once this nuisance is gone and then you have another problem. FWIW.

okreef98 · #13 03/28/2006, 09:57 AM

I was swamped w/ aptasia and a copperband butterfly got them all!

Mandalay · #14 03/28/2006, 10:28 AM

Both Pep shrimp and cupperband failed to stop my aptasia. Add seagrass file fish clear it all. 80% reef safe and it is very easy to take care and can catch easily since it has long back fin and slow. I can use the fingers to catch it after it finished his job and now stay at sump