Aptasia control options

Ok they are aptasia. Im thinking some kind of file fish would be good.

 

I had great luck with peppermint shrimp! I bought a dozen about a year ago and never see aptasia or the shrimp!

 

I use Kalk power mix it up with ro water pretty thick but not to thick and use a syringe as soon as you get close to its mouth start injecting it and dont stop until it disovles thats what i do. had copper banded the problem I had with them is they will eat all and i mean all of your feather dusters. the kalk works it just takes a long time most likely forever like JB said

 

I've never seen one locally.   If I had, it would have ended up in my tank!

 

I'll chime in on this one, I've never really had a aiptasia breakout, but I had probably 3-400 majanos in my 75G. I got rid of every last one and havnt seen a single majano or aiptasia (i only had maybe 5) in months. Between using the majano wand on ones that were easily accessible, and then using a solution from fosters on the rest. I SWEAR on this stuff. It works wonders, however, you have to be careful when using it as to not get it on other corals, as It basically smothers and kills whatever its on. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=23493

As far as controlling them, there's a few fish, peppermints, etc. But for 8 bucks having a bottle of that stuff around is alot better IMO. Best thing ever.

 

I agree with JB that it is very difficult to completely eradicate them.  You may think you have them gone, but in reality they are probably just deep in your rocks.  I've never had an outbreak, but then I've always been diligent in attempting to kill them when I seen them.  Usually what happens is that I see 1 or 2.  Then I turn off all the pumps to treat them.  By the time the pumps have been off for 20 minutes, usually another 2-3 will have popped out of their rocks.  I used Joe's Juice for a while, at it did a good job at keeping them in control for a couple years - but then seemed to loose its effectiveness.  The last 1 1/2 years I've used Aiptasia X and have been happy with it.  Never seen more than 5-6 at a time.  I tried the lemon juice, hot water, and thick kalkwasser methods with no luck.  I think the key to killing them is whether you can get enough of the solution on their tenacles and mouth before they can retract themselves deep into the rock they are living in.  The few instances where I have an aiptasia (and it was a large one), directly on my sand - I killed it 1st time and it didn't return.  Other ones that are in places on the backside of my rock are more difficult to get to and they will often show back up a month or two later.

 

bearsareawesome - I've still got Bela's filefish - I've given him by the the very imaginative name of Bela!  You were first in line so he is yours, we just need to set up a transfer - PM me so we can get that going.
My observations of Bela (the fish) are that he is a terrific aptasia eater.  I had a lot to start with but he has almost wiped out the group.  However, JB is correct, the fish is not going to get them all.  I've had him in two tanks and he's minimized them but they still hide and eventually pop back up.  He's a wonderful fish and I would love to keep him but Bela gave him to the club and I appreciate the gesture.  He's fun to watch.  I've mostly seen the white colored variety but this one is green and can be difficult to find because he blends in so well.  He rides along with the current and looks like a leaf just floating along.
WARNING!  All that said when they get low on aptasia or bored they can be tough on some corals.  My acans took a hit, most are recovering but one of them is gone.  My blastos were also looking stressed but I think that was a sampler before he went back to the acans.  Didn't notice any impact on the favia, trumpets or chalice but once the acans started taking a hit I got him into the other tank ASAP.
My summary - great fish but watch your fleshy type corals.  In the right type of tank I would love to keep one just because of the character.
PS - he loves frozen mysis shrimp.
Thanks to Bela (the person) and best wishes in Boston!

 

PM stew. thanks