Aiptasia anemonies on Tridacna maxima shell

[Alsshon]

I'm looking for some more permanent solution for removing Aiptasia anemones from my Tridacna clam shell than scraping them off regularly with injection needle. The obvious problem is that I cannot use any calcium hydroxide paste, lime juice, AipEx or anything that would cause issues with the clam itself (or can I?).

Is there some "clam - safe" product available or some other clever method to snipe out the anemones than using something that can potentially do harm to the clam? The amount of Aiptasia on the clam is usually only between 5-10 small specimens, but I really wouldn't like to remove the clam out of the tank every now and then for mechanical cleaning.

[agruetz]

A peppermint shrimp might work, but it is 50/50 shot and they usually only get the small ones.

[Alsshon]

Originally Posted by agruetz

A peppermint shrimp might work, but it is 50/50 shot and they usually only get the small ones.

Might be worth trying and I was actually planning to buy them anyway during the summer. And the division of labor wouldn't be too bad because I can take out the big ones and the shrimp might get those I cannot remove manually.

Thanks for the tip!

[mtcoins123]

if you have room and can find one they are the best pest eater

[Alsshon]

Originally Posted by mtcoins123

if you have room and can find one they are the best pest eater

That one I also considered once, also because I've heard there is a small chance of it nipping hydroids, which I also have plenty. The plan fell down when I found out it can be a potential threat to my LPS corals, especially my Symphyllia agaricia.

[mtcoins123]

mine have never eaten any coral of mine..... i think the vaiant species might be a hazard but if i remember right this species is pretty specific to aiptasia... IME it has been a godsend i had a huge outbreak of aiptasia and this guy did the trick for me going on a year almost and no return or problems

[mushroom head]

I don't name my fish..but when i aquired this matted file fish.I called him frank..Likes to eat duncans..just duncans,and pest anemones.So i got rid of a big colony of them. He is so fugly that how can't a person love him

[Alsshon]

Just to be clear, is that one Acreichthys tomentosus?

[Butchhe]

I have used Aiptasia-X on a few aiptasias on my crocea clam with no adverse affect. The clam is very healthy since the treatment 1 month ago.

[Alsshon]

Originally Posted by Butchhe

I have used Aiptasia-X on a few aiptasias on my crocea clam with no adverse affect. The clam is very healthy since the treatment 1 month ago.

Did you treat the clam in the tank or did you lift it into bucket and treated it in there?

[DrDNA]

I've used Kleins butterflies several times over the years for this exact purpose. They will nip at some SPS and LPS, but are excellent at removing Aiptasia from clam shells.

[Tethered_Limbs]

lul @ frank