Peppermints and Aiptasia

[jagt48]

I know this seems to be a somewhat common theme on here, but again I have a terrible aiptasia problem. I have tried Joe's Juice several times, but I don't think I am doing it correctly because I can never seem to get them all, and all it seems to be doing is just making them upset and then they multiply tenfold in about a weeks time. Anyways, I had a rough time getting some peppermints secured for the problem. I initially had two, but my CB ate them right up, and then after that every LFS I went to within 120 miles didn't have any and I wasn't going to spend 30 bucks on shipping for 3 shrimp. To make a long story short (if it isn't too late) my LFS that is closest to my house finally got some in after about 2-3 months of me coming in and asking. So I picked up three of them and put them in the tank, and that was about 2 weeks ago and I have only seen one of them out, but no decrease in aiptasia population. Is there a certain size of aiptasia that they will eat? or are they a somewhat hit or miss with eating them? The three I got appeared to be full grown. Is there something else I have to do to get them to eat the anemone? Anyone have suggestions?


Joseph

[cath]

Hey, Jag- Aiptasia is a common problem in reef tanks. Folks have tried all the things you mentioned, and with varying results. Check out the recent thread on Joe's Juice and see if that's a help http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=54411

I've had Aiptasia for so long, I don't even think about it anymore. Pepps didn't seem to like that large, tough, old aiptasia that reside in my tank, and yes the pepps ended up being someone's midnight snack

[mdq]

I have three pepermints but I rarley see them. Once in a while at night I find them using a red flash light. The keep the aptasia down pretty well but once in a while Ill kill a big aptasia using a syringe filled w/ the hottest tap water I can get. Try that and let me know how it goes. Also I've heard of using vinegar in the syringe but I've never tried it.

[jagt48]

I actually have some Joe's Juice left over that I might use this afternoon. As far as acetic acid in my tank I think I have way too many aiptasia and don't exactly feel comfortable putting that much in my tank without lowering the pH too much. I'll keep everyone posted on how it turns out over the next week or so.



Thanks,
Joseph

[nk290]

After doing a google search on Apitasia, I realized there are some in my tank! Great . . . I guess I'll try Joe's Juice!


Nate

[nk290]

Do Aiptasia look translusent and have tentacles and almost a mouth in the middle, with slightly enlarged tips. I have some of these in my tank, and don't know what they are. Will post pictures if I ever find my camera cord.

Nate

[Taz]

When I bought my live rock they have alot of Aiptasia, I knew right the way I have alot work to do. First I saperate the LR with alot of aiptasia and the LR without aiptasia, all LR with big aiptasia I put in a 10gal tank and bucket. I inject all the aiptasia with vineger, they die right away it take about 2 days to treat 1 piece of LR. Then you can put the LR back to display tank, hey is work for me. Take your time

Tony

[Smo]

Originally Posted by jagt48

Is there a certain size of aiptasia that they will eat? or are they a somewhat hit or miss with eating them? The three I got appeared to be full grown. Is there something else I have to do to get them to eat the anemone? Anyone have suggestions?


Joseph

The peppermints claim-to-fame is that they will always eat aiptasia. Some will, some will eat aiptasia after a month or 2. Some will never eat it, and some need to be trained to eat those little buggers. Pepps won't eat the larger or adult aiptasia. I have also heard that if you get the peppermints with the black tip on their tails, those are not as apt to eat the aiptasia as the lighter colored. (black tip, that's the kind I have)
I know it was hard for you to get those pepps, but always try to get them as babies. If you have a fuge or QT tank, you cant put some LR in there that has aiptasia all over it and the shrimp too. Don't feed your shrimpies and they will eventually start to eat the aiptasia. Once this is accomplished, transfer them back into the main tank.
Your pepps will hide most of the day. Mine come out in the afternoon when it's feeding time. Give them time to explore their new home and to settle in; then you will see them.
If your pepps are going to molt, which happens once a month, you won't see them. They hide for a day or 2 before the molt, and another day or 2 or 3 after. Their shell is too soft after a molt and they become very vulnerable at this point, so they hide until it's safe to come out again.

BTW, a large or adult aiptasia can produce up to 50 "babies" a day. So make sure you kill them off before they get too big.

HTH

[Twitterbait]

I have heard and seen that as peps get older they tend to stop eating the aptaisa as well. the younger peps seem to do better.

[Phishnoob]

Our peppermints did not do boo.

That Joe's Juice got rave reviews though.

[salt creepette]

try turning off the pumps and filters, then treat with joes juice, then turn pumps back on after ten minutes or so. you may have to reapply. if you have too many to do all at once (PH drop) then stagger the treatment over a few days but dont wait too long (theyll reproduce.)

to deal with 'the case of the missing peppermints' (my cleaner shrimp attack them) I also have a separate 10 gallon with a damsel and peppermint, and take a rock with aptasia out of the main tank and put in with the peppermint. wait till he cleans it, then put back in the main tank. its not a tiny peppermint but its not huge either. i feed him shrimp pellets once every three days too just so he doesnt get too hungry, but he eats the aptasia too. good luck.

[Loverotties]

Joes juice or vinager works!

[realm4227]

Had peppermints which I had pretty good luck with untill one of my prized fish decided on snacking, bought a CPB took him awhile but hes ate all but 1 big one, i can live with that

[realm4227]

sorry CBB right copper band butterfly

[Kent E.]

I second the Copperband, solved my infestation.