What types of butterflies will eat aiptasia (other than CBB)? Doesn't have to be reef safe

[Daniel@R2R]

Ok. I want to aggressively remove all aiptasia from a 120g tank I have going (not my reef). I'm considering going with a butterfly that isn't reef safe. I've heard that raccoons are the best kind but aren't often used bc they will eat coral. That isn't a problem in this tank, so I'm looking into any options (even the kind that aren't reef safe). I'd prefer one of the heartier butterflies that are more likely to eat the aiptasia than a cbb (since those are hit and miss).

I've already tried:

CBB
Matted filefish
peppermint shrimp

...all with no luck...

I'd go with the raccoon, but the only ones that LA has available right now are $89.99!!

Other ideas on what fish will eat them?

 

[4FordFamily]

Pearlscale butterflies have always eaten my mojanos... Not sure about aiptasia but I bet they would eat both.

Try another matted file

 

[luke33]

Pearlscale will eat them but may take a couple weeks before they figure it out. But once they do they will wipe them out completely and quickly. They may nip at sps though

 

[Ricks Reef]

Raccoon's are suppose to.So far mine hasn't touched any in my 180 gallon.Hes been in there for a month. My matted File Fish is picking at them though.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I still have the matted filefish in my 180...he's useless. LOL Maybe I'll move him to the crazy aiptasia infested tank. The plan is to make the 120 a nem tank, but right now...I got the wrong kinds of nems...

In looking at LA, these are the butterflies I'm thinking about:

Pearlscale
Saddleback
Lemon
Klein's
Mertensii
Pyramid

These 2 are also available, but seem to be a bit less suitable:

Vagabond
Spotband

Thoughts on any of these? How likely are they to eat aiptasia? How likely are they to eat BTA's?

If they eat BTA's that won't rule them out, but if I can avoid it, I'd rather not get a fish I'm going to have to rehome once his job is done.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Pearlscale will eat them but may take a couple weeks before they figure it out. But once they do they will wipe them out completely and quickly. They may nip at sps though

SPS wouldn't be an issue since this is going to be a BTA tank. The main thing is getting the fish to eat the aiptasia.

My biggest hope would be to get one that would eat aiptasia and not my BTA's that I'll be adding. However, I can rehome the fish after he finishes the aiptasia off if necessary.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Berghia nudibranches. That is what has worked for me.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Berghia nudibranches. That is what has worked for me.

I'm afraid my infestation is too much to be feasible for nudibranchs...at least in any reasonable time frame. I'd need a LOT of nudibranchs to be succssful due to the size of the tank and the amount of aiptasia...or do you think I am underestimating the nudibranchs?

 

[Fin]

A Copperband has kept my 140 gallon reef completely aiptasia free for about 7 years. I have the pests in my overflows and sump, but not a single one is visible in my display. Through the years, I have had three of them (in this tank and my old 75) and they have all eaten aiptasia.

 

[hybridazn]

I've had a few friends that have had pretty good success with the Klein's butterfly. I would recommend that one for sure.


EDIT: sorry, not the Klein's but the double saddleback

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I think that you are underestimating the berghia nudibranches. I would get 6 for your tank and also a butterfly to supplement.

 

[maroun.c]

Berghhas will breed in the tank and build up a colony you'll start to see a drop in Aphasia numbers till there's non left. My copperband has cleared up my 400 from a heavy tubeworms infection and Aptasia. Raccoon would be my choice in a tank without corals.

 

[Neptunes Cove]

also 4-eye butterflies are good at aiptasia eating...
I wouldn't do Burghias- because after they eat all the aiptasia, they will die- not acceptable...
IMHO
-is there a reason that peppermint shrimp wont do for this??

 

[Neptunes Cove]

also-many of the aiptasia eating butterflies may eat your BTAs...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I used a Chelmon marginalis (like a copper band butterfly, but with 1 less band). Worked perfectly on a terrible infestation, and they are known to be easier to keep (as best I know). I've had it a few years now.

 

[droblack]

Try another CBB. I've had 3 through the years; 2 of them were voracious aiptasia munchers. Some of them haven't figured it out yet.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

DD has an extra large racoon for $79.99 I'm thinking a good strategy might be that guy and the berghias. Heck, I may even move my filefish over to see if he'll join the party. LOL

 

[hybridazn]

DD has an extra large racoon for $79.99 I'm thinking a good strategy might be that guy and the berghias. Heck, I may even move my filefish over to see if he'll join the party. LOL

Just do it! Lol

 

[4FordFamily]

DD is the best! I've snagged so much off of there in the past month...

 

[scardall]

Save your money and buy peppermint shrimp

Well I don't know about fish. But the correct species of Peppermint shrimp will do the job and Is reef safe. plus at around $5 each, what do got to loose? I picked 3 up at a local LFS and in a short time my Aptasia where All gone. ( Be warned : Camel Shrimp look similar and are Not Reef safe)