getting rid of aiptasia

fishygma

New Member
I have an outbreak of Aptasia in my 55 gallon tank. Currently the majority of them are on one rock - though I have spotted one on another rock. I have three that are pretty large and multiple small ones. I have considered getting Peppermint Shrimp but understand that they won't go after the larger Aiptasia and I have also considered Berghia Nudibranches but have heard they are quite delicate and may not survive to eat the Aptasia in the first place and even if they do - once the Aptasia are gone - will not survive because that is all they eat. I was wondering if it would kill the Aiptasia if I just took the rock out and put it in a bucket of fresh water for a few days? The only other thing growing on the rock that I know of is some coraline algae but I also have that growing on the other rocks so I am not worried about that. Any ideas/thoughts?
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishygma http:///t/395624/getting-rid-of-aiptasia#post_3522586
I have an outbreak of Aptasia in my 55 gallon tank. Currently the majority of them are on one rock - though I have spotted one on another rock. I have three that are pretty large and multiple small ones. I have considered getting Peppermint Shrimp but understand that they won't go after the larger Aiptasia and I have also considered Berghia Nudibranches but have heard they are quite delicate and may not survive to eat the Aptasia in the first place and even if they do - once the Aptasia are gone - will not survive because that is all they eat. I was wondering if it would kill the Aiptasia if I just took the rock out and put it in a bucket of fresh water for a few days? The only other thing growing on the rock that I know of is some coraline algae but I also have that growing on the other rocks so I am not worried about that. Any ideas/thoughts?
Hi, Welcome to the site!
Peppermint shrimp eats it...Eventually even the big ones. Also...you can use Joes juice, or Aptasia X for the big ones.
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishygma http:///t/395624/getting-rid-of-aiptasia#post_3522600
How many Peppermint Shrimp would you recommend?
In a 55g...three should be plenty. I would zap the big ones right away to prevent them from spreading before the shrimp will get to them. If you mess with them at all, they will release spores and spread like fire, so don't bother them. Get the Joes juice or aptasia X, and squirt the stuff right into its disk without touching it....it will melt before your eyes, and die right then and there. LOL...it's kind of cruel but I like to watch those little buggers die.
 

turkeyhunter

New Member
I use lemon juice and use a seringe to inject right in the disk and they will melt away in a day or so. If you have several you might want to use another alternative because the lemin juice can raise your ph if a large quantity is used. I have no problems with it hurting anything else in my tank.
 
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