Aptasia troubles
 

So my tank is rapidly filling up with these little buggers and I'm sort of at a loss as to getting rid of them. I'm not really sure that I want to put a peppermint shrimp in my tank just to get rid of them. I was wondering if anyone has one of those nudibranches that eat aptasia? I was thinking that I might get one, and then try to catch him when he eats the last one and pass him on so he doesn't starve. Anyone be interested in something like that? I would hate to buy this critter knowing he was going to die from starvation after it's done me a great service.

my understanding of the berghia is that they hunt in pack's, this seems to be the best site i have found for them. If only you lived in calgary i would do a group order with you, cuz i have i aptasia problem as well


http://coralscaping.com/berghia_1.html

This is pretty funny. I can see them now, surrounding the unsuspecting aptasia before going in for the kill.

I wish you lived in Vancouver ;). I figured that there would be at least a few people around with the same problem as me. It's too darn bad that the really nice beautiful anemones aren't as hardy as these things. I can't seem to kill them at all, and I've tried!

too bad... I'm in Vancouver but just put in some peppermints last month to control my aptasia and flatworms...

what size tank?

I have a copperband butterfly that eats the aptasia out of my hand! Downside, you need a larger tank to keep them long-term unless you can get them to eat prepared foods (which can be tricky). No gurantee they will eat aptasia also...

Well let me know how the peppermints do slakker - and I didn't know they ate flatworms as well. Interesting. Still, I'd hate to get some shrimp and have them walk over the aptasia to get to something they find tastier.

I had them in my old tank and peppermints took care of them. If you have clams I would not put them in though.

The tank is only 38 gallons

What other things do they eat? I thought I had read that they also really like feather duster worms - I have a ton of them in the tank (but I kinda like them, so I wouldn't want to see them all disappear).

It seems to have done the trick, but I did a few things at once... so the background is my 14G Biocube got an aptasia and flatworm "bloom". I went and got a peppermint, a six line and increased the water flow. I also did a fresh water dip on the corals (amazing how much flatworms came off). It's about a month now and aptasia and flatworms are gone. At least I can't find any when I look (and I'm trying pretty hard).

But I did have to move my flasher wrasse as the six line was picking on it. The scarlet that in the tank is good with the peppermint.

I had a bit of Aiptasia problem as well and 2 Peppermint Shrimp solved the problem. The Aiptasia that I had were all pretty small though. I've heard that if the aiptasia are too big, the Peppermints wont eat them... but I dont have any experience with this firsthand.

As for Flatworms, mine don't seem to be interested in eating them at all.

i use really thick concentration of salt and a little water just squirt it on with my test syringe sometimes takes two applications but kills them and majano

Joes juice works great for me.. kills them almost instantly and they dont come back.. and the lil container you get for 8 dollars last forever because you only need such a tiny bit.

Group Order - Vancouer
 

Hey Hangfire, I'm going to do an order from www.coralscaping.com so I wrote a new post in the livestock section. Let me know if you would like some.

-Tony

well instead of starting a new thread i thought i would just bump this one.

so my tank is starting to fill up with the little buggers now to. been using this tailored aquatic's aip remover and i had to remove a huge rock. now one has hit my gorgous yuma and i need to know how good are pep shrimp and is 1 ok for a 20H

Honestly... I have never had trouble removing aptasia. I see threads pop up all the time, and it reminds me of Albert's post a while back.

You have to turn off all your pumps, no waterflow, period. What I used was a small amount of kalk paste. Smother the little buggers completely. Get inside their little hole.. fill it up with kalk (or whatever your using) Let it sit for a good few minutes, let it seep into the hole. Just be patient, letting it all sit for a good 5 minutes at least. I have also had minor success with a Peppermint shrimp. They do only eat the smaller ones, but I did see one having a feast on a rather larger aptasia.. fun to watch.

Anyways, kalk paste has always worked for me... obviously there are some that are a little more stubborn than others, but just be dilligent and they will die off. Again, this is my experience. No aptasia in the new tank yet !*fingers crossed*

injection
 

have you tried lemon juice to kill the aiptasia? I bought a needle from a vet supply store and injected them with lemon juice. Just get close and jab it good and inject, you'll see a little puff from the juice. I had a couple in my tank and it got rid of them the first try.