Aptasia is getting the better of me! Genuinely considering giving up :-(

[Emma01]

Well....as the title suggests, aptasia has really got me to the edge of giving it up.
I’ve been battling this for about 1+1/2 years.
Aptasia X is no longer ‘working’ in that, I’ve WAY too many aptasia to know where to start. They’re now stinging my SPS corals. ☹
I’m limited to how I can eradicate these as I’ve
30 Litre (8gallon) nano reef, with 5kg of live rock, therefore can not put any large fish in that eat aptasia.

Peppermint shrimp- due to the size of the tank, I thought that one would do the job?; turns out that they hunt aptasia in packs and I’d need a minimum of 3 ? (Please correct me if I’m wrong here, but this is what I’ve read up) I’ve not got a shrimp for this reason, also 3 In a tank this size wouldn’t be fair on the shrimp.
nudibranches are next to impossible to find in the UK !

if anyone has any suggestions to get rid of these please, it would be much appreciated. I’m hoping that I’m wrong about the peppermint shrimp thing, and that I’ll be fine to get 1 or2 to do the job.
Thanks all
Emma xx

 

[Malifry97]

Have you tried F aptasia

 

[Kzang]

I've had great success with 1 peppermit shrimp. However, i've heard they are hit and miss...and 100% eat coral eventually.

 

[Emma01]

Have you tried F aptasia

I’ve not tried F aptasia, can’t say I’ve heard of it. Is it similar to X aptasia by Red Sea?

 

[Dave1993]

cant you just inject them with lemon juice

 

[Emma01]

I've had great success with 1 peppermit shrimp. However, i've heard they are hit and miss...and 100% eat coral eventually.

Eat my corals

 

[hart24601]

The most success I have had is peppermint shrimp. Tried berghia few times over the years but shrimp worked well every system. I don’t know if 1 is enough, I get several but I don’t think you need more than one. I feed the tank very light with them. They will eat aptasia when hungry, just need to make them hungry not feed them until they start eating aptasia.

Never had any eat coral in around 10 years of having them. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but didn’t to me.

 

[Malifry97]

I’ve not tried F aptasia, can’t say I’ve heard of it. Is it similar to X aptasia by Red Sea?

No, it’s Proven to be more effective

 

[Emma01]

The most success I have had is peppermint shrimp. Tried berghia few times over the years but shrimp worked well every system. I don’t know if 1 is enough, I get several but I don’t think you need more than one. I feed the tank very light with them. They will eat aptasia when hungry, just need to make them hungry not feed them until they start eating aptasia.

Never had any eat coral in around 10 years of having them. Doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but didn’t to me.

I genuinely think a peppermint shrimp is my only option at the moment. I just hope they don’t eat my corals !

 

[Salty Lemon]

Don't give up! We want to keep you around. Here are a couple links that I hope will help. Good luck. But hang in there.

Ways to Rid Your Tank of Aiptasia Anemones

There are a number of proven methods to control aiptasia anemones that do not cost a lot of money, from natural predators to chemical methods.

www.thesprucepets.com

https://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=295

 

[lapin]

My thinking is you are spending a lot of time on the current rock and tank. It might be an option to buy a new tank and new rock. Cycle that with a small powerhead. Then move over your corals a few at a time, being sure remove the corals form any plug or rock and dipping them to kill off the aptasia. You can reuse your old equipment after soaking and cleaning in bleach.
If not get some P shrimp to help with the issue. they will only eat small ones so you will still need to kill off the big ones. When the shrimp are done trade them to the LFS.

 

[Emma01]

Don't give up! We want to keep you around. Here are a couple links that I hope will help. Good luck. But hang in there.

Ways to Rid Your Tank of Aiptasia Anemones

There are a number of proven methods to control aiptasia anemones that do not cost a lot of money, from natural predators to chemical methods.

www.thesprucepets.com

https://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=295

Thanks for this. I’ll have a read through. They’ve taken over my tank !

 

[Kzang]

Eat my corals

Yeah, mine ate all the aiptasia then went for my torch.

 

[Emma01]

Yeah, mine ate all the aiptasia then went for my torch.

Oh no! that’s all I’d need!
with the ‘lemon juice’ people have mentioned. Is this just the standard lemon juice you can purchase from grocery stores?

 

[K95ranger]

I had the same issue. I put I a few peppermint shrimp and they resolved my problem. I haven't seen them go after my corals but when they do I will take them to my lfs and problem solved.

 

[Peace River]

I know how frustrating Aiptasia outbreaks can be. I also recommend F-Aiptasia Killer.

 

[Mical]

Try these - https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3352+3353+3555&pcatid=3555

I have a pair in both my tanks and they are lawnmowers on aiptasia. It doesn't happen immediately but they feed at night and are shy. My first pair took almost 10 days to clear an infested 65gal. The other pair took about a week. Since then they are model citizens and don't pick at corals.

 

[brandon429]

all nano reefs can be quickly cleared of aiptasia

its not by doing anything with the rock in the tank

its by taking the rock out, with corals, and removing sips by chiseling exactly from up under and simply removing them. The corals aren't harmed by air contact, the rocks, it doesn't recycle, none of it.

You'd be surprised how much people will hold onto aiptasia though it can be cleared this way, in the end Im not sure we're ready to let go of it. People demand work without having to remove stuff. right before you shut down, lets clear the aiptasia this way. this is the right way to start with so the tank never gets taken over. holler if you want it cleared, takes an hour or so.

whats the difference between clearing a nano of aiptasia vs a normal sized tank? excuses.

we get 100% more access excuses from large tank owners. I can't, fill in your rationale for keeping them.

nanos=I can access, ergo aiptasia can be eliminated day 1. Most just don't know about the surgical option, they choose methods that spread them. Its flat out easy to rid them once and for all. most simply will not, same with GHA etc. hesitation is what they need, and some mode of import

easy fix here/alert ha nice.
B

 

[cancun]

Well....as the title suggests, aptasia has really got me to the edge of giving it up.
I’ve been battling this for about 1+1/2 years.
Aptasia X is no longer ‘working’ in that, I’ve WAY too many aptasia to know where to start. They’re now stinging my SPS corals. ☹
I’m limited to how I can eradicate these as I’ve
30 Litre (8gallon) nano reef, with 5kg of live rock, therefore can not put any large fish in that eat aptasia.

Peppermint shrimp- due to the size of the tank, I thought that one would do the job?; turns out that they hunt aptasia in packs and I’d need a minimum of 3 ? (Please correct me if I’m wrong here, but this is what I’ve read up) I’ve not got a shrimp for this reason, also 3 In a tank this size wouldn’t be fair on the shrimp.
nudibranches are next to impossible to find in the UK !

if anyone has any suggestions to get rid of these please, it would be much appreciated. I’m hoping that I’m wrong about the peppermint shrimp thing, and that I’ll be fine to get 1 or2 to do the job.
Thanks all
Emma xx

I think I would give 1-2 a try. It can't hurt! Don't give up! Sorry about your troubles! Wishing you luck!

 

[LIreefguy]

I've had great success with 1 peppermit shrimp. However, i've heard they are hit and miss...and 100% eat coral eventually.

Peppermint shrimp is a common name for several shrimp. They are very hard to tell the difference. The ones out of Florida will eat apatosa and leave corals alone. I had mine for 3 years and they have never touched a coral.

When you buy them simple ask where they came from. If they can’t answer or simple don’t know don’t buy them