Butterflyfish for RBTA Control?

[Deej1534]

I have RBTAs that have completely taken over my 200 gallon display. What started as one has easily turned into 50+ at this point.

They’re beautiful and I love the color and movement they add, but they’re starting to overtake the tank and kill surrounding corals.

I’ve been considering adding a butterflyfish to help keep the population under control since physically removing them would be extremely difficult without tearing apart large sections of rockwork.

Has anyone tried this successfully? Also, if the butterfly starts picking at them, should I be concerned about toxins released from stressed or damaged anemones affecting the tank?

 

[Channas]

That wont work, i suggest you remove them yourself by hand, one method is to massage the foot starting at the edge and once it starts to release it’s grip you use your finger to gently massage it from under it until it lets go

 

[Deej1534]

That wont work, i suggest you remove them yourself by hand, one method is to massage the foot starting at the edge and once it starts to release it’s grip you use your finger to gently massage it from under it until it lets go

This is what I have been doing or using a turkey baster to get the feet to release just very trying work and takes very long. Not super efficient lol

I am have also tried to use ice cubes in bags and freezing the feet off but that takes a ton of ice doesn’t work well either

There has to be a better way!!

 

[Mmbra]

Did you try the "Nem Cannon"?

 

[Deej1534]

Did you try the "Nem Cannon"?

Nem cannon?

 

[Mmbra]

Please see the Nem Cannon thread here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/safe-and-easy-diy-way-to-remove-nems.861213/

 

[Deej1534]

Please see the Nem Cannon thread here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/safe-and-easy-diy-way-to-remove-nems.861213/

This is great and honestly a much better solution, thank you. I really didn’t want to injure or kill the nems, I was just running out of options. This seems like a really solid approach.