Aiptasia control, i am thinking of getting some of these.

[pmoneyt]

After picking up a few rocks from some members on here i found that they had some aiptasia. I hit them with joe's juice but i keep finding more, so i did some looking and i found something interesting.

Anyone have experience with these?

Nudibranch berghia

http://www.saltyunderground.com/index.php?cPath=6

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/ac/feature/index.php

the only problem i see with getting these is keeping them feed, anyone with knowledge please give me some feedback.

Thanks.

 

[MatthewScars]

Just buy some Zoas. That will keep them plenty full.

 

[pmoneyt]

i have zoas so they will eat them? i would hope not because i have a nice selection of zoas

 

[MatthewScars]

Yeah, Nudis eat zoas.

You should just buy a ton of peppermint shrimp.

 

[bushh23]

Get a Peppermint Shrimp if you can. I bought one a few days ago because i noticed an enormous Aiptasia growing near the back of my tank and there were a few babies on a near by candy cane. So far it looks like he has eaten some of the little ones in just a few days. Joe's juice does work but you have to hit each one individually and it can be a pain. These guys just eat them when hungry!

 

[hijinks]

I use Aiptasia X and it kills them.

 

[aaron23]

i used aiptasia X and in my opinion it doesnt work. I inject the aiptasia and the next day its kicking either that or i have a different strain of lethal aiptasias

 

[aznt1217]

i used aiptasia X and in my opinion it doesnt work. I inject the aiptasia and the next day its kicking either that or i have a different strain of lethal aiptasias

Aiptasia X works great. You have to be very precise and get the mouth and cover it fully so no new spores come out. But some theorize that the Aiptasia X weakens the Aiptasia... but if that is the case, buy some peppermints as well they will eat the Aiptasia up without getting stung.

 

[hijinks]

make sure you get the kind that eat it.. i have one that refuses to touch any and one that will when he feels like it. They mostly hang out looking for fallen food.. lazy shrimp..

I read there are two types of peppermint shrimp.. or 1 type of shrimp that looks like a peppermint.

 

[bushh23]

Make sure its a Peppermint Shrimp not a Camelback! Camelbacks dont eat them but once peppermints get warmed up to the tank they will usually eat them when you're not looking!

 

[noodleman]

Just buy some Zoas. That will keep them plenty full.

berghia nudis will NOT eat zoas, they are specialized eaters of aiptasia only!

if theres nothing special on that piece of rock i would just dry it out and then cycle it, then you know you got them all

 

[pmoneyt]

noodle its on a few pieces of rock so that will be hard. i will try the shrimp and see, i got a 120 so i figure 4 should be good and hit it with the juice as well.

 

[MatthewScars]

berghia nudis will NOT eat zoas, they are specialized eaters of aiptasia only!

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/i-have-berghia-nudis-57219.html

found a few more of reports they have. Personally, i would rather be safe then sorry

 

[nanchil]

Get some peppermint shrimp... I had a great success with them..

 

[mynd]

Nudibranch berghia are a great addition to any OVERFLOWING APTASIA tank. Even those with Zoas. I have had and used them before and they have NEVER eaten my zoas. However, I cannot give any real suggestion on what happens once they eat all the aptasia. Reason: When you get down to the last few it is best to remove the adults and give them to someone else that has aptasia ( a good chain on this can go a long way ) It is the offspring of the two adults that really make the aptasia disappear.

Good luck.. I have only had positive results using Nudibranch berghia...

 

[pmoneyt]

i guess i will give it a try anyone has any aptasia on a piece of rock that they would like to get rid of.

 

[JLAudio]

I tired peppermint shrimp, but they were quickly made into lunch by supposed "reef safe" arrow crabs, a loarge blue spot goby in about 30 seconds.

Im looking into a copperband that eats aiptasia plus other stuff. WWOF has them in and if there eating mysis or pellets im gonna try that for a few small speading aptasias

 

[Deanos]

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6/i-have-berghia-nudis-57219.html

:shhh: Read the whole thread. It appears they weren't even Berghia nudibranches in question