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Title: Aiptasia Removal Methods Author: FantasyReef |
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Aiptasia is a filter feeding anemone that can rapidly spread to plague proportions. I have compiled a list of ways to combat this pest. I have not tried them all, but have used quite a few with either limited or great success. I have put ** stars next to things that have worked well for me. Your mileage may vary. Natural Methods **Copperbanded Butterfly-this is a hit or miss kind of deal, some will eat them and some won't. Mine cleared a 175 gallon bowfront of an immense problem within a month. I am also fortunate that this fish ate frozen food when the aiptasia was gone. This is not always the case and you could get one that will starve itself to death instead of eating what you offer. **Peppermint Shrimp-another hit or miss item, but your odds on it working are a little better than with the fish. The drawback is you must have a tank that does not have inhabitants that enjoy shrimp as a snack. Berghia verrucicornis- This is a nudibranch that literally lives to eat aiptasia. I have not had any experience with it, but from my reading, have found it to be a very effective means of aiptasia control. The downside is a big one, without aiptasia, the creature will die.Some folks actually "farm" aiptasia for this nudi to eat. Mechanical Methods Lemon Juice-inject the anemone into the center with a small amount of lemon juice. This is not a good method if you are treating alot as it will affect the ph and other water chemistry. Boiling Water-Good old H2O, inject each anemone individually. Do not use close to other corals as you do not want to scald them. **KalK Paste-Very cheap and effective means of taking care of aiptasia. Mix 1 teaspoon of Mrs Wages Pickling Lime (or similar product) with 2 tablespoons of water, microwave for a few seconds. Using a syringe, squirt a small amount into the center of each anemone. Commercial Preperations Joes Juice Aiptasia Exit Chem Marin One thing to mention is that you never should pluck, pull, scrape or otherwise try to manually remove an aiptasia, it will get annoyed and punish you by spreading ALL OVER THE TANK! As always, if anyone has other ideas that have worked for them, please share! |
