Aiptasia control

[ocean diver]

What is the best way to control Aiptasia? I would like to hear what has worked for other people? Control by fish, shrimp, nudibranch, chemical or any combination.

[chromakey]

Hi:

I originally had a matted filefish in the tank and it controlled all the aiptasia in the tank. I did have some left in the overflows. I got rid of him because he was eating some of my zoas.

I did use Aiptasia-X for the few that did pop up but I had to treat them 2 or 3 times. I guess if you don't get it in their mouth before they close up it is not 100% effective.

I haven't tried peppermint shrimp.

Michael

[Reef Pilot]

Pearlscale Butterfly fish did the job for me. My tank initially had hundreds (live rock and back glass were covered in them), and it took them a few months, but the Pearlscales completed decimated the aiptasia. And they don't bother my corals either. Plus a beautiful fish, too. Have had them for 3+ years now.

[mark]

can say 100% matted filefish work, never can keep shrimp long enough to say (blaming the 6 line), kalk paste just knocks them back for a bit.

[darkreef]

I have a reef with the same problem. What's reef safe and kills these things .
I have a dwarf lion so no shrimps

[brotherd]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Pearlscale Butterfly fish did the job for me. My tank initially had hundreds (live rock and back glass were covered in them), and it took them a few months, but the Pearlscales completed decimated the aiptasia. And they don't bother my corals either. Plus a beautiful fish, too. Have had them for 3+ years now.

I put in 2 butterfly fish. They decimated the aiptasia. And 2 brains. And 2 birdnest corals. Can't catch them yet. I strongly urge caution. They pick at everything

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by brotherd

I put in 2 butterfly fish. They decimated the aiptasia. And 2 brains. And 2 birdnest corals. Can't catch them yet. I strongly urge caution. They pick at everything

Yes, that is true for most butterfly fish, but these are Pearlscales, and none of them have bothered my corals.

[freeze]

I have two peppermint shrimp and they go mad for the stuff. Have zero issues with it.

[hillbillyreefer]

I picked up a filefish yesterday to deal with an aiptasia problem. Haven't had much luck with peppermints or nudibranchs.

[monocus]

berghia are the only ones that are totally reef safe.they take time,but are effective