Aiptasia X, Peppermint Shrimp, and BTAs

LucidGoblin · 08/12/2019, 10:50 AM

(This post is in two parts. I'll be brief as I can.)
Aiptasia X didn't work, followed directions, they came back in greater numbers after a week. Has anyone else had this experience?
I want to try peppermint shrimp, but my buddy swore he saw one eating a hole in the side of his BTA. Has anyone else seen this happen? (I'm thinking the nem had a wound to begin with.)

ThRoewer · 08/12/2019, 02:51 PM

I've never seen peppermint shrimp attack large anemones beyond stealing their food.
But host anemones like BTAs can easily be protected by adding an anemonefish or anemone crab.

I'm kind of doubtful if peppermint shrimp can and will eradicate Aptasia in every infested system. For me they worked well eliminating all Aptasia in one system but were less effective in another.
However, if they go after Aptasia (not all shrimp sold as peppermints actually do) they will usually make them at a minimum disappear from sight and also stop them from doing harm to other inverts and corals. If they also eradicated them is something you will only know a good while after the last shrimp had left the tank.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

wwanthony · 08/12/2019, 03:58 PM

Get a Matted File Fish.

LucidGoblin · 08/12/2019, 05:12 PM

LiveAquaria says Matted File Fish will eat aiptasia, but "normally nips at soft and stony corals." They also recommend a rather heavy feeding regimen. But thanks for the replies. I just remembered that there's a way to kill aiptasia using boiled vinegar or lemon juice.

mnchartier · 08/12/2019, 05:43 PM

berghia nudibranch, only eat Aptasia and wont go after anything after the Aptasia are gone. I had a pretty big out break 2 years ago. Add 10 (IRC) berghia to my 150g, all gone within 4 months. Was able to pass the berghia that I could catch to other people in my local club. Haven't seen any since

wwanthony · 08/13/2019, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucidGoblin

LiveAquaria says Matted File Fish will eat aiptasia, but "normally nips at soft and stony corals." They also recommend a rather heavy feeding regimen. But thanks for the replies. I just remembered that there's a way to kill aiptasia using boiled vinegar or lemon juice.

I have had no problem. I had a very bad infestation and it took care of it over time. Have not seen a one in the display (even when they show up in the Fuge) for over 8 months. It is still in the tank searching all day, probably eats every little morsel that tries to grow. Eats the same food as the rest of the fish also. I have a Copperband also. Both fish came from LiveAquaria.

Corals are no touched. I only have Acros and Zoos......

Uncle99 · 08/15/2019, 07:55 AM

I have not seen Aptasia X not kill the nem.
No flow, good squirt, wait 15 mins, turn back flow.
Interesting

Peps will work, but I don’t use as they can sometimes take out Acans overtime

08/12/2019, 10:50 AM	#1
LucidGoblin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 111	Aiptasia X, Peppermint Shrimp, and BTAs (This post is in two parts. I'll be brief as I can.) Aiptasia X didn't work, followed directions, they came back in greater numbers after a week. Has anyone else had this experience? I want to try peppermint shrimp, but my buddy swore he saw one eating a hole in the side of his BTA. Has anyone else seen this happen? (I'm thinking the nem had a wound to begin with.)

08/12/2019, 02:51 PM	#2
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	I've never seen peppermint shrimp attack large anemones beyond stealing their food. But host anemones like BTAs can easily be protected by adding an anemonefish or anemone crab. I'm kind of doubtful if peppermint shrimp can and will eradicate Aptasia in every infested system. For me they worked well eliminating all Aptasia in one system but were less effective in another. However, if they go after Aptasia (not all shrimp sold as peppermints actually do) they will usually make them at a minimum disappear from sight and also stop them from doing harm to other inverts and corals. If they also eradicated them is something you will only know a good while after the last shrimp had left the tank. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

08/12/2019, 05:43 PM	#5
mnchartier Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oh look a river Posts: 458	berghia nudibranch, only eat Aptasia and wont go after anything after the Aptasia are gone. I had a pretty big out break 2 years ago. Add 10 (IRC) berghia to my 150g, all gone within 4 months. Was able to pass the berghia that I could catch to other people in my local club. Haven't seen any since __________________ "I accept your apology." - BrianD "That's only idiotic because I don't think you're joking." - Satori (CT4 Chronicles) Current Tank Info: DD150

08/15/2019, 07:55 AM	#7
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	I have not seen Aptasia X not kill the nem. No flow, good squirt, wait 15 mins, turn back flow. Interesting Peps will work, but I don’t use as they can sometimes take out Acans overtime Last edited by Uncle99; 08/15/2019 at 08:00 AM.

08/12/2019, 03:58 PM	#3
wwanthony Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 417	Get a Matted File Fish.

08/12/2019, 05:12 PM	#4
LucidGoblin Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 111	LiveAquaria says Matted File Fish will eat aiptasia, but "normally nips at soft and stony corals." They also recommend a rather heavy feeding regimen. But thanks for the replies. I just remembered that there's a way to kill aiptasia using boiled vinegar or lemon juice.